national

New hike in health insurance costs

The cost of health insurance is set to rise with new rules on risk equalisation meaning an increase in premiums by up to €200.

Currently, every adult with health insurance is paying a temporary levy of €285 and €95 for children, as part of a temporary risk equalisation scheme, which ensures that older people do not have to pay more for health insurance.

According to a report today, this is set to rise considerably as the Government brings in new permanent rules.

Premiums could rise by €200 for a family of two adults and two children, as the new regulations come into effect in January.

There will be four separate rates - for adults, children, people with cover for public hospitals only and people with private hospital plans.

It is feared the increase will push more people out of the health insurance market which has already seen a series of premium hikes by many insurers in recent months.