Laya Healthcare has announced it will hike premiums across its schemes by an average of 6.6 per cent starting April 1.
The new pricing reflects an increase in the Government levy on health plans, which now makes up about one-third of premium costs. The levy will rise by €49 per adult and €16 per child, adding €130 to the annual cost for a family of two adults and children.
Laya reported a 29 per cent increase in overall claim costs over the past two years, with rising demand for private and high-tech hospital services.
Last year, private and hi-tech claim costs rose by 13.4 per cent compared to 2023, driven by a 20 per cent increase in cardiology, orthopaedic, ophthalmic, and cancer claims.
Additionally, drug costs in private and hi-tech hospitals have surged by 31 per cent.
Laya also pointed out that long public hospital waiting lists and overcrowding are pushing more patients toward private care, driving costs higher.