'Penalise late entrants to health cover’

Late entrants to the private health insurance market should be penalised, according to a report commissioned by the health minister.

The report recommends measures be taken to encourage young people to enter the market and that the action would be in line with the principles of lifetime community rating.

It says health insurers should prove their commitment to retaining and attracting persons in the 18-29 age group by discounting premiums for full-time students up to the age of 23, which is already allowed under health insurance legislation.