Dentists want measures to control health insurance

The Dental Association requires the Government to take urgent steps to ensure greater protection of consumers who take out insurance and health plans.

In a comment to a study of Regulatory Authority of Health (ERS), the Order considers the serious situation of oligopoly in health insurance and the lack of legislation in health insurance contracts.

The dentistry is "particularly affected" since it is essentially exercised by the private sector, which are especially relevant insurance and health plans.

"Action is needed on this runaway 'refers to the Dental Association in a statement, noting that both insurance companies control more than half of the Portuguese health insurance market.

In the case of health insurance, the situation is considered 'more serious' because it lacks legislation governing such contracts, and that makes the person signing a plan has no way to guarantee their rights.

"These allegations are serious and require immediate action by the legislature and governor. The difficult economic situation facing the country is prone to abuse that needs to be combated to because there are cases where the quality of the provision of medical services may be concerned 'advocate dentists.

In the study "Insurance and citizens 'access to health care' to which the Lusa had access, ERS points to the existence of an oligopoly in health insurance in Portugal, as the two largest competitors dominate most of the market.

The LRA said that "the concentration ratio of the two largest competitors, measured by the sum of its market share exceeds 50%."

Data presented in this study indicate that the market share of Loyalty is 32.2%, followed by Western Insurance (23.3%), Allianz (7.9%), the Tranquility (6.7%), Victoria Insurance (5%), BES Seguros (4.8%), AXA Insurance (3.7%), Açoreana (3.5%), Generali (3.4%) and Lusitania Insurance (1, 9%).

Source : o-seguro-de-saude