Latest figures from the Health Insurance Authority show that there were around 2.2 million people with private health insurance inpatient cover in March - 14,000 fewer people than in December.
The level of the population with private health insurance inpatient is now 49.6%, compared with 51.7% in December 2008, reflecting the continued downward trend since the start of the recession.
In the past year, 28,000 people have dropped their private health insurance inpatient cover.
The HIA says that 108,000 people have cover solely for outpatient benefits, or health insurance cash plans.
The authority also notes that VHI Healthcare amended its rules booklets at the beginning of this month so that non-payment of premiums within the first 15 days of the contract will result in non-payment of claims for that policy year and cancellation of the contract by VHI Healthcare.
VHI has also amended its participating list of hospitals, to exclude two Cork hospitals, Millbrook Hospital in Bandon and Shandon Street Hospital.
MRI cover has also been withdrawn from Euromedic in Naas General Hospital.
