Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): As this is a service
matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Ambulance Service
720. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to have a
national ambulance service transfer policy set up; when he expects this to be implemented in
view of the fact that the ambulance service is a regional service without a transfer policy
between regions. [8203/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): As this is a service matter, it has been referred
to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Insurance
721. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the circumstances under which a
health insurer can demand the balance of the insurance premium when the contract is terminated
between renewal dates; and if there are any restrictions on this, or a limit on how much
can be charged. [8207/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): While insurers provide a facility to consumers to
pay premiums over the policy year, rather than at the start of the policy, this does not change
the twelve month nature of contracts. Health insurance contracts are normally written for a
term of one year. Like any contract, if a policyholder wishes to cancel their health insurance
contract, the cancellation is subject to the relevant terms in the policy contract, provided the
contract allows for mid term cancellation. If the policy contract does not allow cancellation
during the term of the year, an insurer can seek to enforce the contract under contract law and
demand the balance of the year’s premium. All open market insurers give a 14 day cooling off
period where they will cancel the contract and give a full premium refund. It is important to
note that customers are free to cancel and change their policy at their renewal date without
difficulty.
In respect of policies renewing or commencing in 2012, the current Scheme of Age-Related
Tax Credits and Community Rating Levy provides for the payment by insurers of a levy of
€285 per adult. It should be noted that, where customers leave before the twelve month
insurance period expires, the insurer incurs a loss in relation to the levy paid as the levy may
only be collected once. If a policy is cancelled mid policy year, insurers cannot reclaim a
proportion of the levy. Where a policy holder switches to an alternative insurer, the second
insurer does not have to pay the levy in respect of the replacement policy, if the two policies
commence in the same accounting period. In this regard, accounting periods are normally the
twelve month period starting on 1 August and finishing on 31 July.
Medical Cards
722. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will address as a matter of
urgency the medical card application of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he
will make a statement on the matter. [8230/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): I have asked the
Health Service Executive to provide a full account of the circumstances of this case to the
Deputy.
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