Health insurance premiums rise as claims remain below pre pandemic levels

Half of all claims were for treatment in private hospitals with a further 20% going to consultants

The VHI remains Ireland's largest insurer with 49% of all policyholders

Health insurance claims jumped 13% last year but still remain below pre-pandemic levels while income from premiums continues to rise.

New figures from the Health Insurance Authority (HIA), which regulates Ireland's insurance market, show companies earned €2.97bn in premiums last year and paid out €2.1bn in claims. The claims last year is an increase on the €1.9bn made in 2020 but still below the €2.4bn in 2019 even though the number of people with health insurance has increased. 2020 saw a significant fall in claims due to the Covid-19 pandemic.