Today is officially deadline day for those aged over 34 applying to sign up to health insurance without incurring a penalty.
The deadline comes as the Lifetime Community Rating will start at midnight tonight. Under the current system everyone pays the same fees for health cover, regardless of their age, gender or medical history but as from midnight tonight people aged 34 or over who wish to take out a health insurance policy will be charged an extra 2% in loading charges.
The deadline has seen numerous insurance companies receiving a large number of applications over the past few days.
Dermot Goode, Analyst with totalhealthcover.ie. said: “The loadings for older people are extremely severe,.” “A couple in their mid-50s will pay, over 30 years, nearly €40,000 on loadings alone for a mid-level plan.”
Meanwhile Healthcare provider Laya has said they will remain open until midnight tonight to take calls from those wishing to take out a policy.