Health insurer warns of 15% rise in premiums unless levy axed

IN a Mexican stand-off with the Government, Quinn-healthcare has threatened to increase its prices by an average of 15% for 2010 unless a levy on business is removed.

If the Government levy was removed the company said it would freeze its prices for 2010. If not, the company which has 500,000 customers, will hike up its prices by an average of 15% from next January.

“The health insurance levy is forcing us to increase prices in 2010. We believe that it is completely unfair, is making health insurance unaffordable for some consumers, and is designed to support the inefficiencies of the VHI,” claimed Dónal Clancy, general manager, Quinn-healthcare.