VHI members face 12.5% cost hike

VHI customers whose premiums have more than doubled since 1999 will have to pay 12.5% more for their care plans from September.

VHI has informed Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney that it proposes to apply an average premium increase of 12.5% on its hospital plans A to E, Options Plans A to E and Life Stage Choices plans from September 1.

The increase is being attributed to the absence of a risk equalisation scheme, and not on the €32 million loss VHI reported for last year.