he number of people with private health insurance continued to rise last year with the trend continuing into 2021 in spite of the enduring cost of living crisis and rising premium prices, according to the industry watchdog’s annual report.
The Health Insurance Authority said the market remained in a strong position in 2022 with demand for health services continuing to rebound from Covid times. While hospital activity increased relative to the steep reduction observed in 2020 and 2021, it remained lower than pre-pandemic levels.‘Banks get enough of our money; I don’t use my card unless I have to’Last year saw a return to pre-covid levels of day treatments in hospitals, while over-night stays had not yet returned to pre-Covid levels.
At the end of 2022, VHI Healthcare insured 54 per cent of those aged 70-79 with insurance, compared to 72 per cent at the end of 2014.Total claims paid by insurers in 2022 have exceeded claims paid in 2019 before the pandemic for the first time since Covid-19 impacted claims on health insurance.