Nearly half the population could be missing out on ways to reduce their health insurance costs during the coronavirus outbreak.
Health Insurance Consultant Dermot Goode says there may be options available to those on private health insurance to reduce their costs while remaining insured.
The government recently made the decision that private hospitals will act as part of the public health system during the COVID-19 pandemic, which makes it unclear if private out-patient appointments will still go ahead during this period.
Dermot said insurers are wondering whether the full levy of roughly €450 per member will still be payable in full during these months.
He said: “We have been advised that once the insurers have absolute clarity on the specifics of the deal and the impact on claims, only then will they be able to confirm what concessions, if any, will be forthcoming.
“It could be later this week or even next week before any further specifics are available.”
Dermot of TotalHealthCover suggested that anyone who has upcoming private appointments should contact their consultant to see if they are going ahead or being deferred.
He added: “In the meantime, if any member is worried about the affordability of their cover, they should engage with their broker or their insurer to discuss this further, as there may be short-term options available to them to reduce their costs but still remain insured.”
Over 2.2 million people in Ireland had private health insurance by the end of 2018, according to the Health Insurance Authority.
