Private health insurance costs rose 8% last year

Private health insurance premiums rose almost 8% over the past year. Premiums were 7.7% higher last month, compared to January 2016, according to the latest Consumer Price Index from the Central Statistics Office.

There is concern that last month’s increase in public hospital charges will push up premiums even higher.

The in-patient cost has risen from €75 to €80 a night, an increase of almost 7% but does not apply to medical card holders and some other patient categories.