Health insurance hikes - Levy will be passed on

WHILE no health insurance company has so far moved to pass the latest Government levy onto customers, it would be unwise to hold one’s breath. Sooner or later, in one form or another, you can be sure they will attempt to slip it in to the mounting bills confronting beleaguered customers.

The purpose of the levy imposed by Health Minister James Reilly is to safeguard the system of community rating by helping to pay for older customers. VHI claims to have several times the proportion of people in their 80s than either the Quinn or Aviva groups.

With tens of thousands of people opting out of health insurance, there should be no question of the 40% levy increase being added to the growing burden on families who see it as a crucial investment in their children’s well-being. As it is, they are already struggling to fund increasingly costly policies that devour a major part of their dwindling income.