Insurers to pile pain on private patients

Thousands of private health insurance holders are set to suffer a second double-digit price hike this year — marking the start of a threatened 40% new cost surge across the sector.

In yet more bad news for cash-strapped patients, Laya Healthcare — formerly Quinn — will push up premiums by 6%-16.5% from Apr 1, following a separate 3%-14% Jan 1 price hike.

The highly controversial move, which will cost customers €200 more a year, is the third year running Laya has imposed a double increase on customers.