Your questions answered by Dermot Goode
With effect from Wednesday, October 16, 2013, the government reduced the tax relief allowance on health insurance premiums. Before this date, the full cost of your health insurance was eligible for tax relief at the standard rate (currently 20%). This was actually deducted at source, which meant that members only had to pay the net premium to the health insurer.
Changes
The tax relief has now been capped at
€1,000 gross per adult and €500 gross
per child. Any gross premium in excess of
these levels must be paid in full.
Contrary to the way this was presented, this will not just affect ‘gold plated’ plans but will affect approximately 85-90% of all policyholders. It applies to all new policies and renewing policies from October 16, 2013 onward. Those who already purchased or renewed with an effective date prior to October 16, 2013 are not affected until their next renewal date.
How will this affect me?
Take an example of one adult on a
standard level 2 hospital plan paying
€1,250 gross for their cover. With full
tax relief, their net premium was only
€1,000; however, with the new change
they will only get tax relief on the first
€1,000 which means they pay €800 of
this portion. They then have to add in the
full amount of the excess premium over
€1,000 which is €250 to bring their new
net premium to €1,050. While plans costing
less than €800 net will be unaffected
by this change, all other plans will see
increases ranging from 0 to 20% depending
on the insurer and the plan held.
For example, the most expensive plan on the market (Vhi Health Plus Platinum) will increase by €784 per adult as a result of this measure alone (20% increase). Equivalent plans from the others insurers will see similar price hikes.
There is considerable confusion regarding this change in the market as many consumers believe they have escaped as their net premium is currently below the €1,000 threshold. However, they need to work off the gross premium and not the net figure.
Wake up call
Finally, if there was ever a ‘wake-up’ call
for people to review their cover, this is it.
With more than 250 plans on the market
and new plans being launched almost
weekly, there should be a plan to suit all
budgets.
The key point is to make sure that any plan selected meets your exact requirements before either changing plan or switching provider. A good advisor will be able to do this work on your behalf
Review your insurance policies
With competition in the health insurance
market fierce at the moment, there
may be a better deal out there for you
with more benefits that suit you at a
cheaper price. For example you could save
from €916 per adult by switching from
VHI Health Plus Extra to the Aviva Nurses
& Teachers Choice Plan or €886 if you
switch to the Glohealth Best Plan.
Cornmarket has a dedicated team which is available to review your health insurance policy and see if we can save you money. For a free health insurance comparison, contact us at Tel: 01 470 8091.
Dermot Goode is general manager of the Healthcare Division of Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd.
Any plan benefits or rates quoted are from the Health Insurance Authority effective from 01/01/14 and are correct at the time of print. This information is intended only as a general guide and has no legal standing. Members who have specific questions relating to their personal finances, superannuation entitlements, etc. are advised to seek professional advice and can contact Cornmarket at (01) 408 4000. Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A member of the Irish Life Group Ltd. Telephone calls may be recorded for quality control and training purposes.
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Finance - Money Matters - Changes to health insurance |