VHI to pass on 10% rise in bed fees

THE country’s largest private health insurer has confirmed the 10% budget hike in the cost of private beds in public hospitals is likely to be passed on to the consumer.

A spokesperson for the VHI, which has 1.57 million customers, said the increased cost would “have to be taken into consideration” when the company seeks approval for price hikes next September.

“Normally it is a factor in our price increase,” said a spokesperson. Last year, VHI premiums rose by 8.5%, on top of a 12.5% increase the previous year.