Health insurance question.

wayne0308

Hi,

I was wondering is there any benefit to getting health insurance if your an athlete (or very amateur athlete like myself)?

I'm only really after getting into training properly for triathlon, and if I'm unlucky and get injured I would imagine that seeing sports medicine specialists and physios is very expensive business. So I thought this might be a good reason to get health insurance.

But I'm not sure if basic policies cover this type of treatment or cover it enough that health insurance would be of benefit.

So I was wondering if any of you have health insurance for this purpose? What company/policy are you with etc.?

Thanks a million for any replies.

mitresize5

A bit off topic here but if your resident in Ireland and you can afford it then you should def have private health insurance ... I'd go without a lot before I'd go without health insurance.

to answer your question I have VHI Plan B with excess and this usually covers 25€ of any physio's of physical fee's so long as they are members of the relvant professional bodies.

Work (thankfully) pay for it so I have no idea how much it costs

wayne0308

mitresize5 wrote: »

A bit off topic here but if your resident in Ireland and you can afford it then you should def have private health insurance ... I'd go without a lot before I'd go without health insurance.

to answer your question I have VHI Plan B with excess and this usually covers 25€ of any physio's of physical fee's so long as they are members of the relvant professional bodies.

Work (thankfully) pay for it so I have no idea how much it costs

Thanks for your reply. I used to have some through work but I'm back in college now. I've put money asside for this stuff though and if it had real benefits for me then I'd definitely go for it. For example if I done damage to my knee and needed surgery to put it right and get back to running, I'd imagine it'd cost an arm and a leg so to speak. But if health insurance made treatment in a sports clinic affordable then I'd definitely go for it.

Unfortunately I'm very ignorant as to what kind of treatment I'd recieve as a patient with no insurance in such a case and how much it would cost.

I think I might ring up a few of the companies and find out exactly what kind of hospitals their policies cover you for and what benefits you get for each plan as the information on their websites isn't very detailed.

token56

If you can afford it I would advise it even if you are not an athlete to be honest. Now its very easy for me to say this since my parents are currently paying mine under a family plan, although as soon as I start earning money and am able to pay this will change, but anyway.

In my experience certainly it has been very valuable. In the past year I've had to have 2 MRI scans done and an operation. Now this of course is far from the norm, but because of having health insurance I was able to get these procedures done relatively quickly in good facilities, the most important being the operation really. I can only imagine how long I would be waiting if I didn't have health insurance.

I think the difference between having and not having health insurance is the time waiting for a procedure, for example a knee operation as you said, and the quality of service available by being able to possibly go private. At least this has been my experience, there is also the not having to pay for it if you go private. It might not be something you have to use very often, but when you do its nice to know its there.

mloc123

I knew a guy in college waiting 18months with a fairly serious hernia (limping for the 18months) on the public queue. Like alot of people my work cover the cost but if they didnt it would be top of my list.

spaceylou

Get health insurance, personally, I am with Quinn Health Starter and it includes 50% back on all GP visits, a certain amount of physio therapy, physical therapy, etc, as well as stuff like mri (if you are unlucky enough to need that)/x-ray etc....well worth it I would say because even the smallest injury might take a few physio sessions, and a gp appointment if you need to get referred on for x-rays etc.....

onimpulse

I'd def recommend health insurance. If you need scan's/ops etc you'll be waiting in the public system, private system will be a lot faster. You'll also get up to 50% of your out patient fees back (Dr, Physio etc) depending on the company.

Shop around though... I've found that the co's differ a bit in their so it depends on your priorities which plan is best for you but make sure you have out patient cover too if you want your Physio costs included.

happy_73

with whatever policy you take out you need to be aware of what your excess will be. You could end up paying out €200 on a physio but still not entitled to claim any back. I was on VHI Plan B Options and the excess was €220 so I had it for years but never hit the excess so couldn't claim. Now Myself, herself and the little one are on VHI Family Plan Plus, with Day-to-Day Level 1 and the excess is €1.

Make sure you take a good look at what is covered and what isn't... some companies don't offer anything back for a physio.

Also remember you can claim money back from revenue http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it6.html

hope that helps a bit,
S

griffin100

You should be clear on the two different types of cover that are available.

Health insurance is expensive and has larger policy excesses. It however covers most health related costs in some way.

You can also get 'day plans' which are designed to cover the costs of GP, phsyio, hospital stays, etc . These are a lot cheaper and the excess is smaller on these policies but the total amount that you can claim on year can be limited.

kennyb3

It's a while since this was covered. After months of shelling out on an injury I got thinking it might be an idea to get some health insurance going forward.

I generally have a few quid in savings to cover one off costs so wasnt too worried about it before but for an extended battle with an injury it might be a good idea.

Anyway what is the best option out there for athletes? Mainly looking at physio, MRI and other such bills.

This looks like the sort of thing i'd be looking at. Not too expensive and covers a few physio, GP and blood tests a year.

RandyMann

I estimated I have shelled out at least 25,000E for health insurance premiums over the past 20 years. My current outlay is 2,500 euro for myself and family premium, with it going up again this year. As of yet I have not claimed for anything except for the odd doctor's fee.
I am contemplating discontinuing it and if I ever need prompt medical attention, I will just pay the consultants fees or associated mri scans myself.
The average consultant's fee is 150-200euro and mri scan, the same.
I dont see the value for money really. If you want to use the public health system, just join the queue, otherwise pay the money and jump the queue.

RacoonQueen

I'm not sure of the value of it. No one I know who has needed medical attention has been treated any quicker than anyone who didn't and needed it quickly. As well as that, you don't always get your money back for physio fees and what not - they tend to make it fairly difficult for you to claim and there can be a fair bit of fine print where things like that are concerned.

I got every test under the sun that I needed, and then some, in the public system in less than three months. If you need an MRI, catscan etc urgently enough, you will not be waiting. My turnaround from discovering something was wrong to discovering exactly what was wrong to surgery was 4 months, though it felt longer.

Two of my uncles have had both their hips replaced recently. One of them was public the other private(in a private hospital). Uncle going public got treated and recovered quicker than the one with health insurance.

gerard65

RandyMann wrote: »

I estimated I have shelled out at least 25,000E for health insurance premiums over the past 20 years. My current outlay is 2,500 euro for myself and family premium, with it going up again this year. As of yet I have not claimed for anything except for the odd doctor's fee.
I am contemplating discontinuing it and if I ever need prompt medical attention, I will just pay the consultants fees or associated mri scans myself.
The average consultant's fee is 150-200euro and mri scan, the same.
I dont see the value for money really. If you want to use the public health system, just join the queue, otherwise pay the money and jump the queue.

A few days in hospital, an operation, blood tests can really mount up into the thousands, can become scary figures. Although I can't really afford it at the moment, I'll continue paying it. Have health insurance for over 25 years and only used it once (touch wood) but you never know, and I seen some very big bills of family members. Shop around and take your time to compare the different policies.

nerraw1111

VHI have a sports plan. No idea if its any value, cost is around €800. https://www.vhi.ie/info/lifestages/productDetails.jsp?key=One_Plan_Sport

Also worth noting that when taking out a plan, you can ask and are entitled to any corporate rates giong. Can save hundreds of euro with that one question.

http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/pricewatch/2010/09/06/save-on-health-insurance/

RandyMann

gerard65 wrote: »

A few days in hospital, an operation, blood tests can really mount up into the thousands, can become scary figures. Although I can't really afford it at the moment, I'll continue paying it. Have health insurance for over 25 years and only used it once (touch wood) but you never know, and I seen some very big bills of family members. Shop around and take your time to compare the different policies.

I take your point and I'm sure it can be expensive.
I was listening to a friend of mine recently who has never paid for health insurance and his theory is, if you have something that could be seriously wrong with you, go to your G.P, he will send you to A&E and you will be dealt with in the same manner as the others there who are paying health insurance.
He recently went about a knee problem(torn meniscus), his G.P sent him to Santry Clinic to see a consultant (170E) MRI scan 180E, and the last option he took from the knee surgeon was 1000E to be operated in Cappagh (private in a public hospital) with a waiting time of 8 weeks.
He could have went public at the start and pay little to nothing but he was told the maximum time waiting would be 12 months.
To weigh up the pros and cons, I think I will just keep putting the moeny aside that I have been paying out for health insurance and pay the cost myself if something occurs in the future, but I will be getting a full health check with any procedures to be carried out before I let my current policy run out

rom

With day to day expenses there usually is a limit of 7 per item but that is normally for each of Physio,Physical Therapy, Reflexology, Accupuncture, Complimentary Therapy, etc. doc is usually more.

Just say you need to get a scan and it costs like 75 euro if you go to euro medic like i did lately, you can claim nearly all back on health care and get seen the next day as there is no wait for some private stuff and then you can claim a portion of the rest on Med 1.

Work pays for mine also. I have the plan that they were talking about on Joe Duffy a bit back PMI-06-11. I wouldn't be without it also some plans cover you worldwide so say your at a race in Berlin then you may be covered and covered well.

Truman Burbank

RandyMann wrote: »

I estimated I have shelled out at least 25,000E for health insurance premiums over the past 20 years. My current outlay is 2,500 euro for myself and family premium, with it going up again this year. As of yet I have not claimed for anything except for the odd doctor's fee.
I am contemplating discontinuing it and if I ever need prompt medical attention, I will just pay the consultants fees or associated mri scans myself.
The average consultant's fee is 150-200euro and mri scan, the same.
I dont see the value for money really. If you want to use the public health system, just join the queue, otherwise pay the money and jump the queue.

That's a ridiculous amount of money to be paying. Kids were free for a long time, I definitely haven't paid for them for 2 years. All 3 health insurers are doing the 'free kids' again this month and next. (I haven't looked into it as already free again this year, so don't know the terms and conditions). We have a great plan with Quinn, it was the best one I could find (and still can find) IMO - Company Care Choice with no excess, okay give or take 1 euro! It was about 620e, then 680e, then 720e the last 3 years, so 1440 versus your 2500. Kids on a different free plan with excess. Obviously no one should have kids on an adult plan. Or indeed be paying for them (cos it's free). Also on the subject of kids, there are no private paediatric hospitals, so unless a child needs a tonsillectomy or grommets etc., kids don't need health insurance (unless it's free). Check out the HIA website.

I would strongly advise Health Insurance if there was anyway anyone can meet the monthly premium. It's all fine when it's all fine, but...........well you know. It's all over the airwaves.

TFBubendorfer

I also get free health insurance for my kids. I was all set to cancel (well, not renew) my insurance 2 years ago, and they came up with this offer rather than lose us completely as customers. Funny that.

Last year they tried to sneak the charge back in and we had to threaten to cancel again.

I know for certain that VHI and Quinn both offer free insurance for kids if pushed, but I'm sure Aviva do as well, otherwise they'd lose out. I have 4 children, and the savings are huge.

They won't offer this all by themselves, you really have to ask and push for it.

Condo131

RandyMann wrote: »

I estimated I have shelled out at least 25,000E for health insurance premiums over the past 20 years. My current outlay is 2,500 euro for myself and family premium, with it going up again this year. As of yet I have not claimed for anything except for the odd doctor's fee.
I am contemplating discontinuing it and if I ever need prompt medical attention, I will just pay the consultants fees or associated mri scans myself.
The average consultant's fee is 150-200euro and mri scan, the same.
I dont see the value for money really. If you want to use the public health system, just join the queue, otherwise pay the money and jump the queue.

The problem with Health Insurance (or any other form of insurance, for that matter) is that it's absolutely useless if you don't actually need to draw on it.

Like many of us here, I used to be pretty smug & arrogant about my health - never sick or injured, never spent a day in hospital in my life - my GPs receptionist once said "God, we wouldn't want to be relying on you for a living!". I'd never claimed on my Health Insurance in 30 odd years.

5 years ago, following on from a routine blood test, I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Boy, was I glad then that I had cover!

It's damn expensive cover, but you should give it serious thought before deciding to cancel.

My renewal is on March 1st, so I've been looking at changing - my premium (2 adults) rose from €1450 last year to €2360 for 2012. :eek::eek:

There is a good tool for comparing Health Insurance here. Think about altering, before cancelling.

Truman Burbank

Condo131 wrote: »

The problem with Health Insurance (or any other form of insurance, for that matter) is that it's absolutely useless if you don't actually need to draw on it.

Like many of us here, I used to be pretty smug & arrogant about my health - never sick or injured, never spent a day in hospital in my life - my GPs receptionist once said "God, we wouldn't want to be relying on you for a living!". I'd never claimed on my Health Insurance in 30 odd years.

5 years ago, following on from a routine blood test, I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Boy, was I glad then that I had cover!

It's damn expensive cover, but you should give it serious thought before deciding to cancel.

My renewal is on March 1st, so I've been looking at changing - my premium (2 adults) rose from €1450 last year to €2360 for 2012. :eek::eek:

There is a good tool for comparing Health Insurance here. Think about altering, before cancelling.

Hi Condo, hope you're doing well these last 5 years.

The Media have done an intensive blitz (I would say) the last 3 years on health insurance policies, the summary link to which you have provided (Thanks). Here's the 'bottom line';

(1) Don't cancel, get a lower level plan that you can afford and pay monthly (Quinn add 3% for direct debits but still has good deals)
(2) Don't be afraid to switch between insurers even if you've been with the same one 25 years, it makes no difference, only the plan does
(3) If you still cannot afford it via Quinn/VHI/Aviva, look at the HSF (Hospital Saturday Fund)
(4) NEVER purchase a 'regular' policy from Quinn/VHI/Aviva. ONLY purchase a corporate (aka 'business' plan), to which everyone is entitled. They are significantly cheaper. Aviva refused to give me this product in December 2011, it was my 2nd time in 2011 to ask them. As their calls are recorded, I made a formal complaint immediately to the HIA. Surprisingly, it was the one recording Aviva couldn't locate, they did call later and apologise. My original call to them involved their Rep saying that he couldn't give me any details on the business plans as Aviva were regulated and VHI/Quinn were not (untrue). I was also told "You're obviously intent on getting a business plan" :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
(5) Don't pay for kids, and never put them on an adult plan
(6) If you are with VHI, you are tied into a 12 month contract, with opt-out fees.
(7) The 3 Insurers are working towards a common renewal date, say January 1st, to stop people (like me!), renewing whenever they want to before the prices go up, usually annually. It is a mistake to wait til your renewal date, that date is irrelevant. You can change your renewal date currently to any '1st of' date. (Some are 30th/31st). If you renew to a different/earlier renewal date, and have paid annually, you are due a rebate of the difference (except VHI with their 12 month contract)
(8) Corporate/Business plans are difficult to find/conveniently hidden on the 3 Insurers websites. Seek and you shall find!

Condo131

Truman Burbank wrote: »

Hi Condo, hope you're doing well these last 5 years.

Can't complain....but I do! :D:D
Managed 3:21 in Dublin (M57) in 2010 and a PW in Dublin 2011 (3:41) (M58)....still planning on breaking 60 at least one more time (realistic??? - I can still dream of days gone bye) ...so in the circumstances, how bad!!

Truman Burbank wrote: »

(4) NEVER purchase a 'regular' policy from Quinn/VHI/Aviva. ONLY purchase a corporate (aka 'business' plan), to which everyone is entitled. They are significantly cheaper.

I changed to a corporate plan last year, and cut about €700 off my bill. This year that bill has gone up to €2360, from €1450 odd. Using the HIA calculator, I reckon that I can shave a couple of hundred euro (maybe €300) by choosing a different corporate policy - this one appears to provide better cover (based on my preferences) for less.

It's worth your while using the comparator tool to suss out the differing covers, to suit your particular needs. This is getting to be a *VERY* expensive business, so don pay for a level that you don't need.

Truman Burbank

Condo131 wrote: »

Can't complain....but I do! :D:D
Managed 3:21 in Dublin (M57) in 2010 and a PW in Dublin 2111 (3:41) (M58)....still planning on breaking 60 at least one more time (realistic??? - I can still dream of days gone bye) ...so in the circumstances, how bad!!



I changed to a corporate plan last year, and cut about €700 off my bill. This year that bill has gone up to €2360, from €1450 odd. Using the HIA calculator, I reckon that I can shave a couple of hundred euro (maybe €300) by choosing a different corporate policy - this one appears to provide better cover (based on my preferences) for less.

It's worth your while using the comparator tool to suss out the differing covers, to suit your particular needs. This is getting to be a *VERY* expensive business, so don pay for a level that you don't need.

Good we're still talking Athletics and not being moved to some recession-busting money thread!

That's some achievement. I'm getting chest pain reading those times. Will eagerly again your third huge accomplishment. Don't let us down!

I only changed over to corporate too about 2.5yrs ago - thanks to Conor Pope and Charlie Weston for that - before that was on the "this is the one everyone gets" plan.

I have no problem naming Aviva on-line because it's all on record. To add, during said call I asked re wanting to purchase a "corporate plan" several times, while simultaneously reading said plans on their website, only to be told by the Aviva Rep (adamantly) that they didn't do "corporate plans". No, they don't! They do BUSINESS plans! There are people who are working who shouldn't be working at all.

So you're paying €1450 odd too, like us when you include Quinn's 3% monthly DD charge. That's some increase, regardless of the €300 'shopping around' reduction.

I work in a hospital and there is little (if anything) I wouldn't know about navigating the public system (and private too). I have assisted numerous people in "navigating" it, (public), as opposed to attempted queue-jumping, and it is beyond excruciating. If I can't do it, and I know where to go, who to talk to, what to ask................well..............

rom

A great site for all of this is http://www.askaboutmoney.com/ which has loads of more info on plans and other money related matters. A great site.