As every year, DSW has become the first health insurance company to publish its premiums for 2022 and is increasing its monthly charge for a basic policy by €3.25 to €127.75.

The rise is due to a general increase in healthcare costs rather than the extra spending generated by treatment delays because of the coronavirus pandemic, the company said.

‘There are waiting lists and that is worrying,’ said DSW director Aad de Groot. ‘But we don’t expect there will be a lot of catching up done because there are not enough members of staff.’

Without extra money given to health insurers by the government to offset the impact of the pandemic, premiums would rise by €7.50 a month, De Groot said.

The health ministry had said it expected premiums to rise by an average of €2.75 next year. The own risk element has again been frozen at €385.

There is a two-month window at the end of every year during which policyholders can switch health insurance company.

The government determines the make-up of the basic policy but health insurance companies are supposed to compete on price and on conditions – such as free choice of healthcare provider.