Health Insurance emigrating...advice needed please

[eily92]

Hi. I am emigrating next year. I will be eligible for a comprehensive health care package through my employment abroad. I plan to return to Ireland in about 5-10 years. Do I need to continue with my private health insurance in Ireland for all the time I am away to prevent a break in service (VHI customer for 15 years) Or, will my private heath insurance package abroad be taken into account? Advice appreciated,thanks.

 

[snowyb]

I would recommend the Health Insurance Authority as a good place to start for advice.
You're specific situation is not covered in their examples re new lifetime community rating which applies since 1 May 2015.
HIA contact details as follows;
http://www.hia.ie/contact/contact-details

Snowyb

 

[Mexicola]

Your cover abroad won't be taken into account so this really depends on your age when you return.

If you break your cover you'll be subject to LCR loadings if you're over 34 but you will receive credits for your previous periods of cover where you paid a full adult premium. Alternatively you could keep a basic policy in place when you're away and upgrade on your return.