After it was announced that there will be price hikes on private health insurance premiums, Independent Ireland TD, Michael Collins has said that patients are already “paying thousands in premiums” while “still facing “months-long delays for urgent treatment”.
Laya Healthcare says it will increase premiums by an average of 4.5% from October, which will affect new policies and renewals only.
Approximately 700,000 customers rely on Laya for their health insurance.
This follows earlier hikes of 6.6 per cent in April 2025, and a 6.5 per cent increase in October 2024, leaving many families enduring repeated annual rises
Reacting to the news, Collins said, “Once again, ordinary families—particularly those in what’s often called the squeezed middle—are being forced to bear the burden of repeated health-insurance increases. These double-digit annual hikes are pushing vital care ever further out of reach.”
“While some policyholders might see small reductions under specific plans, these offered respites don’t change the broader trend. It’s galling that customers paying full premiums still endure months-long waiting lists, sometimes lacking coverage for urgent treatment like cancer care—forcing them to travel north for care and pay privately because the waiting lists in the Republic are now impacting not just those reliant on public healthcare but the private system as well,” he said.
The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) says that the average annual premium is now €1,929
Private insurance no guarantee of timely treatment.
Deputy Collins referred to a care where a man suffering with cancer discovered that his private insurance would not cover the cost of his treatment.
“It took me to intervene directly and raise the issue in the Dail to ensure the company honoured its commitment and gave this man the care he was entitled to,” he said, adding, “Thankfully, they eventually honoured the policy. But it should not take political pressure for patients to get what they have already paid for.”
“Insurance companies must clearly communicate exactly what is and isn’t covered. It should never take political representation to ensure someone receives the treatment they’ve paid for. I urge all policyholders: review your policy details before renewing or agreeing to new price increases.”
“Terminal decline” of the health care system.
Collins accused the Government of presiding over the “terminal decline” of the health-care system saying it was “unacceptable” that some patients are “being forced to travel” to Northern Ireland for treatment.
“We are now at a point where not only those who cannot afford insurance, but also the so-called squeezed middle who pay dearly for it, are being subjected to the same long, unsustainable waiting lists,” he said.
“This is a damning reflection of a Government that has allowed our health service to slide into crisis. It is simply not good enough, and people in every county are paying the price for that neglect.” he said.