Health insurance company DSW has become the first to announce its 2011 price rise – a 10% annual increase to €1,194 per policy holder.

The increase is due to a shortfall of €3.4bn in the government’s health insurance contributions, DSW said. Higher healthcare costs and central bank demands on solvency have also played a part.
Health insurance companies start announcing their next year’s fees around now, ahead of the annual January 1 deadline for switching provider.
All health insurance firms must offer a standard basic package which is dictated by the government. They are then free to add top up services and policies.
The outgoing government announced in the annual budget that the own risk element in health insurance is to go up €5 next year to €170.