You decided private health insurance sounds like a grand idea. That’s step one.

Step two means figuring out what health insurance you should get. All insurers must provide a minimum level of cover to core benefits, like in-patient and out-patient treatment, maternity benefits, and convalescence. But with 350 and counting plans available, there are lots of little things that set the plans apart.

Everyone wants the cheapest health insurance in Ireland, but it’s more important to find the right cover at the best price. Otherwise, you could pay for insurance that doesn’t benefit you when you need it.

Who is the best health insurance provider in Ireland?

There are four private health insurance options in Ireland:

  • Irish Life Health
  • Laya Healthcare
  • VHI Healthcare
  • HSF Health Plan

Out of these only Irish Life, Laya, and VHI provide in-patient insurance. The HSF Health Plan is a cash benefits plan.

Even though every insurer provides the minimum level of coverage, It is worth looking at all three insurers.

Out of these, VHI is the oldest and largest provider in Ireland with a million policyholders. Laya Healthcare comes in second with over half a million subscribers.

The best health insurance provider in Ireland is the one offering a plan that meets your needs at a price that makes sense for your budget.

What impacts the cost of private health insurance in Ireland?

Apart from your age and the number of people you want to cover, hospital choice has the biggest impact on your health insurance premium.

With all three insurers, you have the choice between:

  • Public hospitals only
  • Public hospitals and a few private and high tech hospitals
  • All hospitals in Ireland, including public, private, and high tech

A plan that covers every hospital in Ireland, including the three high tech hospitals The Beacon Hospital, the Mater Private, and the Blackrock Clinic, could cost up to six times as much as one that covers public hospitals.

So, you need to think carefully about your health, your family history, and your budget to determine what level of cover will grant you the most benefit.
Why do you pay for cover in public hospitals?
Anyone in Ireland can stay in a public hospital to access treatment. So why do health insurers cover public hospitals?

Most of the time, your health insurance cover will put you in a semi-private or private room in a public hospital and pay for your stay, which can cost €1000 per night for a private room vs. €80 for a bed on a ward.

How can I choose between health insurance plans?

After your preferred hospital care, you’ll see there’s coverage for all kinds of in-patient, out-patient and wellness benefits. Very often, your cover won’t change dramatically, but excess and additional payments might. You will also see big leaps in prices between entry-level, mid-level, and comprehensive plans.

Whatever your needs, make sure you shop around every year and switch often. You can then benefit from improved plans and new prices, which will save you money and improve your cover.

Are you ready to renew your health insurance or buy your first policy? Get a quote in 30 seconds and find the Irish health insurance policy that’s right for you.