Policy brochures sent directly to GP surgeries

The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) will distribute information brochures directly to GP surgeries this year in an effort to increase public awareness of the different policies available on the market and to highlight consumers' rights to switch insurance plans without penalty, writes Dara Gantly

The authority - the independent regulator for the private health insurance market in Ireland - intends to distribute about 150,000 copies of its two main consumer brochures to more than 1,000 doctors' waiting rooms and other health service providers.

The brochures - Selecting a private health insurance contract and Private health insurance consumer rights - will be restocked on a regular basis by a private company.

"We have circulated the documents to some surgeries already, but we are looking for assistance to help ensure consistent and comprehensive coverage," said Liam Sloyan, the authority's chief executive.

"We consider that it is a good way to provide the information to consumers, as it is being provided to users of medical services at a time when they are likely to be thinking about their healthcare requirements. The information might also be useful to healthcare professionals," he added.

The campaign forms part of the authority's wider strategy, which includes an agreement with health insurers to post out information on consumers' rights along with their renewal notices.

According to the authority's own research, just 60 per cent of holders of private health insurance are aware that they can switch policies without any penalty.

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times