What is Lifetime Community Rating (LCR)?

In Ireland, everybody is charged the same premium for a particular health insurance plan, irrespective of their age, gender and the current or likely future state of their health. This is called Community Rating.

On the 1st May 2015, the government introduced Lifetime Community Rating (LCR) legislation, which means that if you or any member on your policy are over the age of 35 when first taking out health insurance, late entry charges called Lifetime Community Rating (LCR) loadings became payable, for a maximum of 10 years.

Taking out private health insurance earlier in life, and retaining it, means you can avoid these additional late entry charges and pay lower premiums compared to someone who joins when they are older.