Should older people pay more for health insurance?

oppenheimer1

As the title asks, should older people pay more for health insurance? They are by far a more riskier group to insure and are more costly so would it not be fair to charge them more? Young people get hammered for car insurance so this is pretty much the same argument just reversed. Come to think of it, older people generally earn more than younger people so in theory they should be able to afford these elevated premiums too.

So should they pay more? Would it be fair?

galwayrush

I imagine they do already.

They should
I imagine they must do already

oppenheimer1

galwayrush wrote: »

I imagine they do already.

As far as I know health insurance cost is the same for all ages in Ireland... at least when I was renewing my policy last week I wasn't given a quote related to my age

Frank Black

Don't be stupid - it would be like shooting your future self in the foot.

epgc3fyqirnbsx

If they're going to die then they better do it, and decrease the surplus population

Patrick2010

So someone who has been paying VHI for 30 years (say) without claiming should they pay the same premium as someone who has just joined VHI?

oppenheimer1

black francis wrote: »

Don't be stupid - it would be like shooting your future self in the foot.

You wouldn't really. If you add up the cost of the premia for a lifetime they should be the same for both. Just the current system as far as I understand divides the cost out evenly across a lifetime, whereas in reality the risk lies in the later years. My argument is that older people late in their career are more able to afford the large premia while the young wouldn't be burdened with a something they find hard to afford. Both myself and My dad pay the same amount despite him being a higher risk and him earning considerably more. Hardly fair?

teaandtoast

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

As the title asks, should older people pay more for health insurance? They are by far a more riskier group to insure and are more costly so would it not be fair to charge them more? Young people get hammered for car insurance so this is pretty much the same argument just reversed. Come to think of it, older people generally earn more than younger people so in theory they should be able to afford these elevated premiums too.

So should they pay more? Would it be fair?

The eldery are among one of the vulnerable in society with age their health decreases naturally as well as other factors they have to overcome like loniness, depression etc. How can people who not know basic facts
Well health is a basic human right. The health care in this 'developed first world country' doesn't acknowledge that. It puts money before people's right to life i.e health.
In India where there is many many problems with a popluation of over a billion yet they have free health care to people because your health is your life, that is basic and common sense. It's sad that here they see profit made on the human right to health.

OPENROAD

galwayrush wrote: »

I imagine they do already.

In that they have been paying premiums for years ?

oppenheimer1

teaandtoast wrote: »

The eldery are among one of the vulnerable in society with age their health decreases naturally as well as other factors they have to overcome like loniness, depression etc. How can people who not know basic facts
Well health is a basic human right. The health care in this 'developed first world country' doesn't acknowledge that. It puts money before people's right to life i.e health.
In India where there is many many problems with a popluation of over a billion yet they have free health care to people because your health is your life, that is basic and common sense. It's sad that here they see profit made on the human right to health.

Pensioners and the elderly get free healthcare anyway, so that isn't an issue. Health insurance is really only necessary for those working and children.

galwayrush

I can't afford it anymore, i'm sure there are many more like me. All i can hope for is something that will finish me off quickly and as painless as possible.:)

hondasam

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

As the title asks, should older people pay more for health insurance? They are by far a more riskier group to insure and are more costly so would it not be fair to charge them more? Young people get hammered for car insurance so this is pretty much the same argument just reversed. Come to think of it, older people generally earn more than younger people so in theory they should be able to afford these elevated premiums too.

So should they pay more? Would it be fair?

Depends on what age they are when joining, if they have been paying for years then it would not be fair.

teaandtoast

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Pensioners and the elderly get free healthcare anyway, so that isn't an issue. Health insurance is really only necessary for those working and children.

Well doesn't that not depend on their income, nationality etc.? So if they get free health care what is the point in insurance then.

Is it because they would be waiting months for a operation if they didn't have health insurance i wouldn't call that much of free health care if you have to wait a month to be treated and a few more months for an operation.

Time is precious especially when you are old and really when you are sick.

smk89

Technically your chance of dying decreases each year, until you die. So tax the kids, little bastards!

oppenheimer1

smk89 wrote: »

Technically your chance of dying decreases each year, until you die. So tax the kids, little bastards!

No it doesn't it increases as you get older your health starts to fail.

Hookah

They already do, actuary.