Health Insurance

oneweb

How many ppl have health insurance? I've just signed up to a plan, have the docs and still have absolutely no idea exactly what I'm covered for. But from what I understand I'm covered for accidents.

What are you on? What have/haven't you been covered for in the past?

Moonbeam

Normally it helps to know what ur signin up to before u sign up to it:)

Depends what health insurance u have and what level of cover u have,
and then what extras u have to ie vhi healthsteps etc

koneko

The different VHI/Bupa packages list what they cover on their websites afaik.

Find out which package you have (like VHI A/B/C/D etc) and check their site. You can always request some more detailed information from the company.

oneweb

Bupa Essential.

I've read all the lit. It's just so covered in this and that and circumstances and conditions that it's just impossible to grasp. I signed up 'cos there was a special offer. I have 21 days to cancel if I wish.

I want to know exactly what my money is covering so as not to be left cursing myself if, God forbid, something nasty did happen.

Our college insurance used to state exactly what was covered in terms of breaking something or losing something or getting something.

Are BUPA and VHI the only health insurance ppl here?

LoneGunM@n

VHI & Bupa have a monopoly over the Irish Health Insurance market!!

I read somewhere last week that a new Health Insurance company will be starting next year [AFAIK run by ex member of management at VHI]

Red Alert

AFAIK Health Insurance is still regulated by the government - you can't just start up a new company here tomorrow.

Victor

Health insurance essentially covers you for the result, not the cause. The particular plan will give you certain levels of treatment (public, semi-private, private) up to a certain amount. I think with Plan B for VHI it's €100,000 (if you are spending that much you are likely to be in so much trouble that you would be entitled to some state cover). So no matter whether you fall out of a tree and break all your limbs or are in a car accident or poison your liver with alcohol they will cover you - just don't become mentally ill (you can do lots of substance abuse and get repayments, but they won't cover mental health problems you haven't caused :rolleyes:).

If you are regularly need medical care that doesn't need hospitalisation or isn't covered by the state Long Term Illness Scheme, then you pay the first few hundred euros per year yourself and they then contribute part (not all) after that. So if you spend €50 on one GP visit you get nothing, if you spend €500 on ten GP visits you get nothing, if you spend €600 on twelve GP visits you get maybe €40, if you spend €2,000 on forty GP visits you get maybe €500. But it all depends on what plan you have.

Holiday insurance policies tend to be €1m to cover all eventualities including repatriation, but are completely separate policies.

AngelofFire

i have BUPA because i have no other choice. id rather my health expenses be paid by the paye deductions in my payslip but sadly the public system isnt good enough. stupid cutbacks.