Print this page

Hepatitis C Insurance Scheme

A unique insurance scheme which benefits people infected with HIV and Hepatitis C, allowing those persons to obtain identical insurance cover to the general public is now available.

Over many years, Malcomson Law have been involved in negotiating this particular scheme. In addition, we were to the forefront in drafting submissions and the preliminary drafts of the legislation that enabled the scheme to become a reality. It is our belief that this legislation entitles people infected with HIV and Hepatitis C to equality with the general public in the insurance area.

"To obtain parity of esteem for persons who are exposed to contaminated blood and blood products in the insurance market, is one of the major achievements for 2007", says Raymond Bradley, Managing Partner, Malcomson Law.

The Government has placed advertisements in a number of national newspapers to inform people of the availability of the scheme for those who were infected with Hepatitis C and HIV through contaminated blood products.

The new insurance scheme was launched on Thursday, 27 September, 2007 and it will allow those who contracted HIV and/or Hepatitis C to get Life Assurance and Mortgage Protection at normal costs as any loadings or additional charges will be paid by the Scheme Administrator.

Confidentiality is assured and your chosen insurance company will learn of your HIV or Hepatitis C status.

For further information you can contact the Hepatitis C Insurance Scheme by:

• Calling 1850 211 570
• Email insuranceinfo@mailf.hse.ie.
• Write to the Administrator of the Hepatits C Insurance Scheme at:
  The Health Service Executive,
  Mill Lane,
  Palmerstown,
  Dublin 20
• visit their website at www.hepcinsurance.ie

About the Insurance Scheme

What is the Principle of the Insurance Scheme?

No eligible person should have to pay a life insurance premium which is higher than that which would be charged to a person of the same age and gender who does not have Hepatitis C and/or HIV.

How do I get this Insurance?

The individual will apply for insurance to one of a panel of insurance companies.
A premium will be charged by the company. The individual will pay the portion of the premium which would apply to a perfectly healthy person of the same age and gender.

What will happen then?

The scheme administrator, on behalf of the Government, will pay the balance of the premium, including any loading applied by the insurance company for Hepatitis C, HIV, haemophilia or any other existing medical condition.

But I'm "uninsurable"...

If an individual is deemed "uninsurable" by the insurance companies, they will still be able to utilise the scheme at the normally applicable premium with the Government assuming the insurance risk in full. The individual will only pay the normal premium for a person of same age and gender without a viral infection.

...and what about Joint Policies?

Joint policies will be possible with spouses or with partners where the relationship is of at least 3 years duration.

Life Assurance

Each individual will be allowed to avail of Life Insurance up to a maximum of €420,000 or up to 7 times annual salary to a maximum of € 525,000. These amounts increase in accordance with the consumer price index.

Mortgage Protection

Each individual will be allowed to avail of Mortgage Protection Insurance up to a maximum of €394,000 for the purchase, change, alteration or refurbishment of their principal residence. This amount will be linked to the Permanent TSB / ESRI Dublin house price index.

In addition, each individual will be allowed to obtain of Mortgage Protection Insurance up to €100,000 in respect of any other property.

Travel Insurance

Regulations on Travel Insurance are awaited from Government.

When does the scheme come into effect?

The Minister for Health will draft regulations giving effect to the provisions. A scheme administrator will be appointed. This is due to be completed within the next 3 to 6 months and we will be monitoring progress on this and working with Department of Health officials on your behalf to ensure this occurs in a timely manner.

This legislation will provide the security of Life Assurance and Mortgage Protection Insurance to those for whom such insurance cover was previously prohibitively expensive or impossible to obtain.

It will allow persons with Haemophilia to make proper and adequate provision for their families.

For further information, please contact Malcomson Law by calling 01 8744422 or complete an Online Enquiry Form.

This news section contains stories of interest from publicly available news sources. Where we are representing the clients referred to in the news material we will say so. Where we do not represent individuals or bodies mentioned or quoted, the inclusion of the news story in our news section is not intended nor should it be taken to imply that we act for the individual or body concerned.