100,000 may drop health cover after hikes

Quinn Healthcare’s second major health insurance price hike announcement since the start of this month may force 100,000 more people to quit their coverage before the end of the year, it has been claimed.

Speaking after the insurance firm confirmed it would raise prices by 6% from the end of February, following a rise of between 7% and 25% weeks ago, Dermot Goode said the move would cause major difficulties for the system and patients.

Despite Quinn Healthcare attempts to blame the second price hike on the Government’s 40% health insurance levy, the market expert said the latest increase will make private insurance unaffordable for thousands.