The Health Insurance Authority has moved to correct a mistake it made today when suggesting that people covered under a health insurance policy, paid by their partner, could face loadings if their partner died.
In error, the HIA suggested that someone not paying for their policy in their own right could face loadings after the age of 34, under lifetime community rating laws which come into effect from 30 April.
Speaking on Newstalk FM earlier today, the head of the authority, Don Gallagher suggested that a spouse who has a policy paid for by their partner could face a surcharge of possibly 70% if their partner died.
The HIA has since issued a clarification saying that where a full adult premium is paid in respect of anyone, student or adult, they are covered for lifetime community rating and no loadings would apply.
People who take out private health insurance for the first time after the age of 34 will face a loading of 2% a year after 30 April.
The authority said that currently, health insurers apply a reduced level of health insurance premium in respect of children and full time dependant students.
These periods of cover, where reduced health insurance premiums apply, are not taken into account for the purposes of lifetime community rating.
