Co-location to push up health premiums by 25%

Health insurance premiums could reportedly be set to rise by 25% as a result of the Government's contentious plan to build private health facilities on the grounds of public hospitals.

Reports this morning say an assessment by Goodbody Economic Consultants has predicted that the co-location plan could add at least €127 to the average annual premium.

This is because private patients will no longer be allowed to use subsidised beds in public hospitals and will be forced to pay the full cost of beds in the new private facilities.

The assessment has been carried out on behalf of the Beacon Medical Group, which is seeking to build three co-located hospitals in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.