VHI is raising its premiums by an average of 6% from March which is the 5th increase in 2 years.
The cost of its most popular price plans - the 'One Plus' plan and 'One Plan Choice' - are going up 4.5%.
The company says the move is driven by a number of factors including the increasing volume and cost of claims and their ageing membership.
Earlier this week Health Minister James Reilly is understood to have opposed proposals for an average 8% rise in subscription premiums when he met senior figures in the company.
'Seek to keep increase low'
Chief Executive of VhI Healthcare John O'Dwyer said "We are aware of the enormous financial pressures facing our customers and have sought to keep the price increase as low as possible".
"In order to keep health insurance affordable a robust Risk Equalisation Scheme is absolutely imperative".
"While we welcome the introduction of a permanent Risk Equalisation Scheme we still require a fairer distribution of risk throughout the market".
"Unfortunately the new scheme only compensates insurers with older customers for approximately 50% of the real cost thus the incentive to cherrypick younger, healthier lives is greater than ever" he added.
Charlie Weston is personal finance editor with the Irish Independent.
He told Lunchtime here on Newstalk that the hikes are now being spread out over the year.
