A new report has found that health insurance customers are increasingly paying higher premiums while receiving reduced levels of cover, particularly for orthopaedic treatments, reports Breaking News.
According to the Health Insurance Authority’s (HIA) Annual Market Report 2025, more than 70 per cent of policyholders are now on plans with restricted orthopaedic cover, representing an increase of almost 10 percentage points over the past four years.
The findings come despite average health insurance premiums rising by nearly 11 per cent during the past year, reports Breaking News.
The HIA said many insurance plans now include reduced or limited benefits, with some of the most significant restrictions affecting major procedures such as joint replacement surgeries.
The report highlights a growing trend towards policies offering lower levels of cover, while in some cases customers are simultaneously facing higher costs for their insurance, reports Breaking News.
An increasing number of plans now contain restrictions, co-payments or partial cover for certain treatments. As a result, common procedures including hip and knee replacements may no longer be fully covered, potentially leaving policyholders with substantial out-of-pocket expenses if treatment is required.
Speaking to Newstalk, Health Insurance Authority chief executive Brian Lee said consumers are effectively paying more while receiving less cover.
He noted that 71 per cent of policyholders are now on plans with restricted orthopaedic benefits, compared with 68 per cent a year ago and an increase of 10 percentage points over the last four years, reports Breaking News.
Lee said the reduction in cover is occurring across a number of areas of health insurance while premiums continue to rise.
Despite the increasing costs, the health insurance market continues to expand as many consumers view private health insurance as essential rather than optional, reports Breaking News.
Lee said private health insurance remains highly valued by consumers, with 2.55 million people now covered in Ireland. He added that policy numbers have continued to grow in recent years.
Based on consumer research conducted by the authority, Lee said many people regard private health insurance as a necessity rather than a luxury, reports Breaking News.
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