Hibernian Aviva has this morning confirmed plans to increase prices by an average of 12 per cent from next month.
The new rates, which come into force on October 10th, are due to an 8 per cent rise in medical inflation and an increase in claims.
The change in premiums means that the cost of cover for a family of two adults and two children will go up by €140 a year to €1,990 under the insurer's Level 2 Hospital plan.
Customers switching from rivals VHI and Quinn Healthcare before October 10th will be subject to existing pricing while current Hibernian Aviva Health members will not face increases until their next renewal.
Hibernian Aviva is estimated to have a 11 per cent share of the Irish health market while VHI has 66 per cent and Quinn Healthcare, 23 per cent.
Hibernian insisted today that it had done its best to minimise the impact on customers.
“While other healthcare providers are leaving their customers exposed by removing benefits from plans and applying excesses, Hibernian Aviva Health remains committed to maintaining superior benefits and coverage across all of its plan range," insisted Hibernian's Jim Dowdall.
It is now expected that other healthcare providers will increase prices following Hibernian's announcement. Attempts to reach VHI and Quinn Healthcare for comment proved unsuccessful.
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