A VHI scheme to cover part of the cost of attending a family doctor could be delayed beyond September.
Because the VHI will charge higher premiums to older people for cover under the scheme, new legislation will be needed.
Health insurers are obliged to charge the same premium to all adults, regardless of age, for hospital cover, and this will continue to be the case.
Legislation to allow the VHI to introduce age-related premiums for its family doctor scheme - which is also intended to provide some optical and dental cover - is expected to be introduced before the Dail's summer recess.
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However, the passage of the legislation may be interrupted by the recess, which will continue from the last week of this month until the start of October.