Gains for new entrants to health insurance

NEW ENTRANTS Quinn Healthcare and Vivas Health have gained share in the private health insurance market, but VHI is still the dominant player, insuring 70 per cent of people with cover, according to the latest study by the Health Insurance Authority (HIA).

Quinn Healthcare, which took over Bupa's business last year, has a 20 per cent share of the market, up from 17 per cent in 2005, while Vivas, which entered the market in 2004, has a 6 per cent share, up from 1 per cent in 2005.

Insurance schemes run by the ESB and the Garda Síochána for their staff make up the remaining 4 per cent of the market.

Around one in every two adults has private health insurance, a percentage that has been static for many years, but growth in the adult population means the market is still expanding.

Rates of switching between insurers remain low, at around 1 per cent per annum. Of those who have changed insurer, the cost savings available was the main reason for switching. The HIA said that it would continue to promote switching in the market.

Large businesses running employee schemes are much more likely to switch insurers, with 15 per cent having changed.

The survey reveals high levels of satisfaction among consumers in relation to health insurance. However, 40 per cent said they felt increases in premiums in recent years were not appropriate, and not justifiable in terms of the cost of the treatment and service.

One in 10 consumers told the HIA they had a major concern about their private health insurance. Rising costs and limitations of cover are the main concerns.

Liam Sloyan, the HIA's chief executive, welcomed findings suggesting that consumers' awareness of their rights and the details of their insurance plans had improved, but he said more work was needed. "The authority is pleased that, following discussions, insurers have agreed to issue standard consumer rights information with renewal notices."