Public hospital charges ‘driving up health insurance’

Public hospital charges are driving up health insurance premiums for individuals and families by €150 and €250, health insurance expert Dermot Goode has claimed.

“While the cost of claims is an ongoing cost driver, what is more worrying is the emerging trend of increasing claims costs from the public health sector,” said Mr Goode.

The founder of totalhealthcover.ie pointed out that in 2014 legislation was introduced allowing public hospitals charge patients with private health cover.