BUPA closing in Fermoy

[anto1208]

did anyone else hear that in i think its Oz it s the other way around and Bupa
get compensated there .

[Macy]

Taxi deregulation has been a good thing. Limited bus regulation on some routes adds more options to consumers.

The new national fare has increased fares by about a 1/3 in my experience in Longford.

[pete]

The new national fare has increased fares by about a 1/3 in my experience in Longford.

Before deregulation it was almost impossible to find a taxi after 10pm at night any day of the week.

[Clifford]

Apparently Quinn direct have stepped in and taken over the BUPA membership as of now. Just been chatting to someone there, but they seem to think jobs saved with immediate effect.

[pete]

Apparently Quinn direct have stepped in and taken over the BUPA membership as of now. Just been chatting to someone there, but they seem to think jobs saved with immediate effect.

I would wager money that Quinn Direct will not pay equalisation payments from day one. They'll be gone in few years when the equalisation payments are due.

[Kingdom]

On 6.01 there a fe wmoments ago. Quinn group taking over with immediate effect and are offering existing customers up for renewal the same premium as last year, Also said they do not have to pay risk equalisation fees. Bothing to change in Fermoy, all systems go.

[dahamsta]

They say they’re a new entrant and thus shouldn’t pay risk equalisation, and the Quinn rep on 6.1 news was talking about an even playing fields. Which begs the questions:

1. Are they a new entrant? They’re certainly not a new entrant to the insurance market.
2. Did Gov.ie approve the takeover and thus approve Quinn’s assertions on the aforementioned?
3. What happens in three years, when the exemption expires?

Watching the Quinn rep (was it Sean?) on 6.1 was a hoot. He can’t maintain eye contact with a tv camera, never mind a human being.

[drummerboy]

Just switched from Bupa to Vivas yesterday as policy runs out today. Wonder if I can change it back tomorrow without penalty.

[The Ref]

Before deregulation it was almost impossible to find a taxi after 10pm at night any day of the week.

And that has changed now? Not in my experence!

[pete]

[*]What happens in three years, when the exemption expires?

Back to same situation that Bupa were in couple of months ago.

I don't know when Vivas due to start paying equalisation payments but they won't pay them either...

[dahamsta]

Back to same situation that Bupa were in couple of months ago.

Precisely why it should be a condition of any exemption. Except of course there shouldn't be an exemption, since Quinn isn't a new entrant to the in-sewer-ants market.

[pete]

Precisely why it should be a condition of any exemption. Except of course there shouldn't be an exemption...

2 Choices:

- Give private companies exemptions & maintain competition in the market.
- No exemptions, no competition. VHI have 100% of private health insurance market. Prices will naturally creep upwards & service drops as always happens with monopolies. Less people take out private health insurance so state has to pay for them.

[Macy]

Prices will naturally creep upwards & service drops as always happens with monopolies.

Prices are going up because of two factors:
1) The Government making VHI build up a reserve, and the only way they can do that is with increased charges
2) The Government has put up charges for Private patients in public hospitals.

btw Have we not just swapped monopolies for duopolies and oligopolies? Super normal profits for the private companies that come into the market, as opposed to competition driving down price?