Insurance Ireland statement regarding Private Health Insurance during the
Covid-19 crisis
Issued 16th April 2020. The Private Health Insurers are committed to playing a constructive and supportive role during this national health crisis and appreciate that this is a very difficult time for their customers.
Private Health Insurers are continuing to pay claims for their customers that fall outside the private hospital agreement with the HSE. This includes cover for private care in public hospitals, psychiatric care both inpatient and outpatient, maternity care and addiction treatment and a range of other services and benefits. For the hospitals that are included in the agreement, Private Health Insurers will cover the public hospital charge for in-patient services of €80 per day up to a maximum of 10 days.
Insurance Ireland welcomes this partnership between the Private Hospital Association and the HSE in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and following ongoing discussions in recent weeks, the Private Health Insurers now have greater clarity on the impact of this agreement for their customers.
Each insurer will take the necessary measures to provide appropriate Covid-19 support to their customers while ensuring that customer value is maintained, and they are a position to pay customer claims into the future. This means:
- Each insurer has a different claims experience and they will assess the impact on their membership and in turn pass on appropriate financial supports directly to their customers.
- Each insurer has also committed to introducing specific customer supports for those who are facing financial difficulties as a direct result of COVID 19. Insurers have said they will deal with these cases fairly, flexibly and on a case by case basis.
- The market is Community Rated by legislation and any measures implemented must reflect this.
Gerry Hassett, Insurance Ireland, said “Our members understand the unprecedented nature of the Covid-19 crisis and fully support the national effort. Each of the Private Health Insurers will communicate directly with their own customers later today on the specific supports they are putting in place through this difficult time.
Ends
Media Contact:
Nuala Buttner
Q4 Public Relations
Tel: 0851744275