Get a load of this......more f*cking taxes The Government is to provide increased tax relief for private health insurance premiums for everyone aged 50 years and older, in a move that will affect 2.2m people. But a levy of €160 a year will be applied to all health insurance companies for each adult they have on their books and €53 for each child, which may be passed on to customers. It is part of a series of measures to make health insurance more affordable for older people. The tiered tax relief will be €200 a year for those aged 50-59 years, €500 for those aged 60-69 years, €950 for those aged 70-79 years and €1,175 for people aged 80 years and older. The existing 20% tax relief will apply to everyone with private health insurance. However, regulations are to be introduced to penalise those who wish to take out health insurance for the first time, late in life. It will mean those who seek health cover for the first time in their 40s or 50s will pay a higher charge. The Department of Health says this is an interim solution for around three years while a new risk equalisation scheme is devised. Minister for Health Mary Harney said without the changes, there was a real risk that older people would effectively face significantly higher premiums. The measures are subject to the approval of the European Commission. Supreme Court case The measures are aimed at dealing with substantial increases in premium charges expected shortly from the VHI. The rises are down to the Government's loss of a Supreme Court case to protect risk equalisation, the Budget decision to increase charges for private beds by 20% and medical inflation. Currently everyone with private health insurance receives tax relief of 20% on their health insurance subscription charges. The relief is granted at source by their private health insurance firm. The Government has sought approval for the new system from the European Commission, as it raises issues with regard to possible State aid for the VHI, which will be the main beneficiary of the changes, given its large profile of older members. Because the Government's interpretation of risk equalisation was struck down, the VHI will not receive around €40m in payments from other insurance firms, which have a larger number of younger, less expensive members. The changes will also have an impact on the two other companies in the market, Quinn Healthcare and Hibernian.
im with vhi so its going to cost me 426 extra if its passed on.im going to chance my arm for a medical card,in the process of getting it filled in.they take into account your outgoings too so its worth a gamble folks,circumstances permitting of course
I give up with this Shite! They are screwing us big time and as usual we'll stand back and let it happen. I may as well close the Business and sign on collect my scratcher and claim for everything. FFS i pay 7000 rates a year and i get nothing for it, i'm sick to me back teeth! that these fcukers can get away with this. we are with vhi and this will bring our B Options up to around 2500 per year (if passed on). More and more stealt taxes and i'm fcuking pissed off!