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If this keeps going, we’ll need a mortgage to pay our bill’ quote from Mick Casey, Treasurer of ISCP

Article by Sarah O’Mahony in Irish Independent Fri 26 Sep 2025 on three generations on the soaring cost of health insurance. For Full Article please see Irish Independent. Photo curtesy of Irish Independent.

“A retired couple have told how they are struggling to afford the cost of their health insurance cover, which is now almost €6,000 a year.

Health insurance premiums across the board are rising.

Last month, VHI became the third health insurer to announce a hike in premiums in the space of a few weeks.

The state-owned insurer will increase the cost of 50 of its plans by 3pc from the start of next month.

It followed Laya Healthcare’s announcement last month that it would increase the cost of a range of its plans by an average of 4.5pc from next month, although there are also some reductions.

Irish Life Health also said last month it would raise the cost of 99 of its plans by an average of 3pc from next month, adding up to €185 a year to a family’s cost of cover.

The Irish Independent spoke to three generations about their private health cover and whether they feel they are getting value for money.

‘An old-age pensioner shouldn’t be out of pocket’

Michael Casey (82) and his wife Geraldine (82) are currently paying €5,849 a year on their VHI premium.

The retired couple from Mullingar, Co Westmeath, are on the ProvidentCare Plus plan.

In March 2023, Mr Casey, who was a telecommunications employee with the ESB, had his health insurance plan with the semi-state company transfer to the equivalent VHI plan.

Currently, his premium is reduced by a 10.5pc subsidy from an ESB fund as part of his pension plan. The subsidy, which began at 100pc, has decreased incrementally over the past three years.

The drop in that subsidy has led to an increase in Mr Casey’s plan.

Additionally, the pensioner claims there has been significant inflation of VHI’s non-subsidised premium.

“Under my previous plan, I would have spent roughly €5,200 a year,” he said. “Since March 2023, that would mean a rise of €1,335 on the non-subsidised premium figure. If this keeps going, we would need a mortgage to pay our health insurance.”

A spokesperson for VHI said the increases in the couple’s plan are mainly attributed to the reduced ESB subsidy rather than a price increase from the provider itself. “The fact is that his ex-employer was paying and funding his scheme for the first two years effectively, on a reduced level as it went on, and now he is paying the full price,” they said.

‘I always say to the GP to put us on the public system, and we’ll go the private route'”