Open period for Hep C scheme closing soon

ZURICH (Eagle Star Life), the life insurer provider to the Hepatitis C Insurance Scheme, has reminded the public that the open period for the Government established scheme will conclude on September 11th.

More than 2,000 people with State-acquired Hepatitis C and/or HIV are eligible to apply for the insurance scheme, which makes life assurance and mortgage protection cover available at affordable rates to those affected.

The scheme was lobbied for by several patient interest groups including the Irish Haemophilia Society. Its chief executive, Brian O’Mahony, said: “I would encourage those eligible to join the scheme to do so during the open period . . . and to take this opportunity to put valuable cover in place for themselves and their families”.

Zurich chief executive Michael Brennan said he believed it would be “very helpful in reaching as many of those eligible as possible, if other insurers were to also support the scheme. I welcome the fact that one other insurer joined the scheme earlier this year.”

Zurich said those who think they are eligible to join the scheme should first visit the Hepatitis C Insurance Scheme website www.hepcinsurance.ie.

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times