The Voluntary Health Insurance Board (Irish: An Bord Árachais Sláinte Shaorálaigh) — which trades under the brand name Vhi Healthcare, and is still commonly referred to in Ireland as “The Vhi” – is the largest health insurance company in Ireland. It is a statutory corporation whose members are appointed by the Minister for Health. It is regulated by the Health Insurance Authority.

Products

Vhi Healthcare offers a number of health insurance products. It also has Dental and Travel insurance. Vhi Healthcare has over 1million members. Until 14 December 2006, its main rival in the market was BUPA Ireland but since BUPA’s withdrawal, Irish based Laya Healthcare (formerly Quinn Healthcare) and Aviva have emerged as Vhi’s main competition. The current Healthcare business model is based on directly paying the consultant and hospital bills of its members. In February 2010 Vhi launched Vhi HomeCare a joint venture providing “Hospital in the Home” type services, it also provides minor injuries treatment centres through another partnership, Vhi Swiftcare.