Insurance switch free for consumers
More than 2.2 million consumers are with health insurers VHI, Vivas and Quinn in a market worth €1.2 billion annually.
But the government’s Health Insurance Authority feels too many are ignorant about their rights to get the most suitable deal for them.
Under Irish law, consumers can switch from one health insurer to another offering a similar plan and not have to pay extra or wait a number of months before being eligible for benefits.
Today, the authority is beginning the first of a number of a public information campaigns to tell consumers they can switch easily.
Authority chief executive Liam Sloyan said: “People’s health insurance needs change as they and their families enter different phases of their lives.
“Our campaign highlights these changing needs and informs consumers that they can, if they wish, change their health insurance plan, or change their provider to secure different benefits or a reduction in their premium.”
Consumers can change from one insurer to another and cannot be penalised financially for their age, health status or any other reason, a statement from the authority said.
The authority estimates that 1% of the country’s private health insurance policyholders change insurers annually. Cost and level of cover are given as the main reasons for switching.
More than two-thirds of those who switched were aged 25 to 44 while 1% was in the over-65 age group.
Yesterday the Consumers’ Association of Ireland (CAI) welcomed the campaign, saying people needed to be encouraged to shop around.
“Consumers are inclined to be extraordinarily loyal to the health insurer they started with and don’t consider the alternatives as they should,” said CAI chief executive Dermott Jewell.
Competition was improving in the Irish health market but the industry should be opened up to more insurers so consumer can choose from a wider variety of policies, he said. www.hia.ie
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