Irish Life Health and Level Health implement price increases

Eva Osborne

Irish Life Health and Level Health will implement price changes, the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) has said.

Irish Life Health will apply an average premium change of 5.9 per cent across its plans. The change will take effect from April 1st. These changes will take effect for customers from the date of their next renewal.

The cost of Level Health’s advanced Plans B, C, and D will rise by €48 with effect from April 3rd. These changes will take effect for customers from the date of their next renewal.

Consumers will receive full details of any plan changes directly from their health insurer in their renewal documents, the HIA said.

HIA chief executive, Brian Lee, said: “We recognise that these changes can cause uncertainty for consumers, particularly during a time when households are mindful of rising costs.

"Our role is to make sure consumers have clear, impartial information so they can make confident, informed decisions about their cover. We encourage all policyholders to take a moment at renewal to review their options.

"It is important for consumers to remember that with Lifetime community Rating everyone pays the same premium for the same plan, regardless of age or health status, so many people discover they can secure better value by switching plan or adjusting their level of cover.”

Irish Life Health said the adjustments are a consequence of continuing medical inflation and the Risk Equalisation levy charge announced by the Government.

Managing director of Irish Life Health, Ann Marie Nestor, said: “Increases in the cost of delivering healthcare continue to be a challenge for health insurers and these rising costs are outpacing general inflation.

"Consequently, the price of medical care, medicines and treatments is increasing at a higher rate than everyday household expenses.

“The nature of customer claims has evolved. More customers have access to specialised treatment, using more sophisticated and in many cases, more expensive technology.”

"We fully understand that this increase comes at a challenging time for many households. We continue to maintain a broad choice of plans to suit different needs and budgets. We are committed to ensuring customers receive the best possible value from their cover now and into the future.”

Higher costs

Health industry expert Dermot Goode said the latest increase from Irish Life Health will be an average rise of 5.9 per cent across most of its plans. Its last main increase was in January 2026 and was an average of 5 per cent.

"Using this average, we estimate that this will cost anything from €75 - €238 for one adult on mid-level plans or higher. Looking at some of their popular family schemes, this could cost a typical family an extra €180 - €330 for the year," he said.

"Whilst some plans will not increase, we understand that the highest increase on certain plans will be up to 11%. We have no details on which plans will be impacted by this percentage as of yet.

"This rate change was expected, but we are surprised by the size of the increase, given that their last rate change was in January just gone. It comes on the back of more increases across the market from Level Health, VHI and Laya.

"This will add more pressure to hard-pressed consumers and many will have no option but to shop for better value."