Health insurance customers rise after launch of rating regime

The number of people paying for health insurance has risen for the first time in five years, with 36 per cent of people now holding health insurance plans, according to the 2015 Pfizer Health Index.

The reported rise in health insurance sales coincides with the 74,000 private policies sold in April as people rushed to avoid the age-related penalties introduced under the new Lifetime Community Rating (LCR) on May 1st, 2015.

Under the LCR, anyone aged over 35 without private health insurance must pay higher prices if they take out a policy.

For each year someone goes over the cut-off point, they must add 2 per cent to the cost of their annual premium.

The annual Pfizer Health Index, conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes as a national representation of the nation’s illnesses and wellbeing, found that 25 per cent of the population are paying the full cost of healthcare and only have access to public hospital services.

Between 2010 and 2014, the number of people in the State paying for health insurance dropped from 44 per cent to 33 per cent before slightly rising in 2015, with 36 per cent of people now claiming to have health insurance following the introduction of the LCR regime.

Austerity measures

However, the index also found 63 per cent of people say they’re still feeling the effects of austerity measures and rate personal finances as more important than health and welfare.

The number of people entitled to medical cards increased in 2015 to 43 per cent, while rising numbers reported visiting their GP for a check-up.

In 2015, 31 per cent of people claimed to have visited their GP because they were unwell, compared to just 26 per cent in 2014.

Prof Charles Normand of Trinity College Dublin says austerity measures are still affecting people's expenditure on healthcare.

“While we are now seeing an increase in the numbers of people with private medical insurance, and more people are becoming eligible for free GP care, there is still 25 per cent of our population who pay the full cost of primary care and have access only to public hospital services,” Prof Normand said.

‘Significantly impacted’

Paul Reid, managing director of Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, said people’s health has been “significantly impacted” under austerity measures of recent years.

“Investing in health remains key and while 2015 saw an improved health budget, as we move to more prosperous times we must focus again on health,” said Mr Reid.

The health index also found rising numbers are using app-based technology to monitor their health, nutrition and sleep.

However, Google enthusiasts are warned not to rely on search engines as a self-diagnosis tool when suffering ill-health, with 15 per cent of people reporting incorrectly diagnosing their condition by searching symptoms online.