Register of health benefits undertakings

In order to practice health insurance business in Ireland one must be registered with the Health Insurance Authority.

The Authority maintains the Registrar of Health Benefit Undertakings in paper format at its offices.  In order to carry on the business of health insurance in Ireland, it is necessary for health insurers to be registered with the Authority, as per Section 14 of the Health Insurance Act 1994.  An undertaking shall be registered upon application if it is the holder of an authorisation (within the meaning of the European Communities (Non -Life Insurance) Framework Regulations 1994) for the time being in force to carry on non-life insurance business and complies with the provisions of the Health Insurance Act, 1994.

Registration is for a period of 12 months.

There are three types of Registered Undertaking in Ireland

  1. Registered Undertakings such as Irish Life Health, Laya Healthcare and Vhi Healthcare that provide in-patient health insurance cover and must accept, subject to certain limited terms and conditions, all persons who wish to purchase private health insurance. These insurers may also provide cash benefit plans.
  2. Registered Undertakings, the membership of which is restricted to employees of particular organisations, that provide in-patient health insurance cover.
  3. Registered Undertakings that provide cash benefit plans such as HSF Health Plan.

The list of registered Undertakings as at 1 September 2024 can be reviewed here

New Entrants

The Authority welcomes new entrants to the private health insurance market in Ireland. The Authority provides information to potential new entrants on:

  • The legislative environment in which private health insurance in Ireland operates
  • The private healthcare delivery system in Ireland
  • Non commercially sensitive statistical information on private health insurance in Ireland

 

List of Registered Undertakings

Open Membership Undertakings

  • Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (branded as Level Health)
  • AXA Insurance dac (trading as Laya Healthcare)
  • Elips Insurance Limited (trading as Laya Healthcare)
  • HSF Health Plan Limited (trading as HSF Health Plan )
  • Irish Life Health DAC (trading as Irish Life Health)
  • Vhi Insurance DAC (trading as Vhi Healthcare)
  • The Voluntary Health Insurance Board

Restricted Undertakings

  • Irish Life Assurance plc Outdoor staff Benevolent Fund
  • Irish Life Medical Aid Society
  • New Ireland/ Irish National Staff Benevolent Fund 
  • Prison Officers Medical  Aid Society
  • St Paul’s Garda Medical Aid Society