Irish Life and Level Health Announce Health Insurance Premium Increases

Irish health insurance customers are facing increased premiums from April, with both Irish Life Health and Level Health announcing price hikes. The increases reflect rising healthcare costs and upcoming government levy adjustments, adding to the financial pressures on households.

Irish Life Health Premium Adjustments

Irish Life Health will increase its premium prices by an average of 5.9% across all plans, effective April 1, 2026. This follows a 5% increase in January 2026 . The company attributes the rise to continuing medical inflation and the government’s Risk Equalisation levy charge .

Ann Marie Nestor, Managing Director of Irish Life Health, explained that the cost of delivering healthcare is outpacing general inflation. She noted that the price of medical care, medicines, and treatments is increasing at a faster rate than everyday household expenses . Nestor similarly highlighted the evolving nature of customer claims, with increased access to specialized treatments and sophisticated technologies .

As an example, Nestor cited that a typical cancer treatment session which cost around €3,000 five years ago now costs closer to €9,000 with newer medicines .

Level Health Premium Adjustments

Level Health’s “advanced” Plans B, C, and D will increase by €48, starting April 3, 2026 . Like Irish Life, these changes will be applied from the date of the customer’s next renewal .

Government Levy Impact

Dermot Wells, head of health insurance at brokers Cornmarket, warned that the hikes are occurring at a challenging time for consumers. He also pointed to the upcoming 10% increase in the government’s levy, which will raise the adult advanced levy to €517 and the child levy to €172 . Wells projects that average premium increases could exceed 15% in 2026 .

Consumer Advice

The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) acknowledges that these changes may cause uncertainty for consumers, particularly given the current cost of living pressures . Brian Lee, HIA’s chief executive, encourages policyholders to review their options at renewal and to take advantage of the Lifetime Community Rating system, where everyone pays the same premium for the same plan regardless of age or health status .

Consumers are advised to review their plans and consider adjusting their level of cover or switching plans to secure better value .