VHI premiums to rise by 15% from 1 February

Run_to_da_hills

"Health insurer VHI has announced a 15% price increase from 1 February - the average family premium will rise by around €331".

How can these bast*ards get away with this?

People are just going to leave them as I have done several years ago. Have they any cop on about the law of diminishing returns?.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0106/vhi.html

starbelgrade

Am I bovvered?

Face.

Bovvered?

So many employers gonna be ragin...

gurramok

The MNC i work in has switched from VHI. Thats a loss of a few thousand subscribers for VHI and i'm very glad as their plans are so vague on what you can claim.
Most people I know end up not been eligible for claims despite what what they were told in writing when they joined the VHI. VHI's excuse was that they sent an email informing subscribers of changes to their plans, yeh right!

Run_to_da_hills

Deleted User wrote: »

So many employers gonna be ragin...

Easy way around this, cut down on staff to save on premiums. More on the Dole, thanks to this Semi State body that is indirectly fueling unemployment.

leeroybrown

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

How can these bast*ards get away with this?

The price rises are a bit extreme but we can expect similar (but hopefully not quite so steep) increases from other health providers. If you read down through the article you'll see a reference to the 21% increase in the cost of healthcare in public hospitals. That was always going to be passed on directly to the customer.

godtabh

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Easy way around this, cut down on staff to save on premiums. More on the Dole, thanks to this Semi State body that is indirectly fueling unemployment.

employers are more likely to drop vhi as a perk than let people go

My last employer did that. Got to expensive. Went else where and on a different package.

leeroybrown

Deleted User wrote: »

So many employers gonna be ragin...

Don't forget the employees. Those that keep their corporate health insurance will still be paying BIK on the increase at the marginal rate in the majority cases - that's going to hurt too.

Eoin

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Easy way around this, cut down on staff to save on premiums. More on the Dole, thanks to this Semi State body that is indirectly fueling unemployment.

That doesn't really make sense at all. If you can't afford to pay people a perk then you remove or change the perk - not the people.

Gummy Panda

godtabh wrote: »

employers are more likely to drop vhi as a perk than let people go

My last employer did that. Got to expensive. Went else where and on a different package.

My employer use to only offer VHI. Now they offer Aviva and Quinn as well.

I think I might change to Aviva health insurance as a co-worker said the plan was easier to understand and had more options.

Kiera

Gummy Panda wrote: »

My employer use to only offer VHI. Now they offer Aviva and Quinn as well.

I think I might change to Aviva health insurance as a co-worker said the plan was easier to understand and had more options.

I'm with them and find them great. They do offer a lot more than VHI which i was a member of a few years ago .

bnt

Wait till they start adopting more American practices, such as cherry-picking patients with good health records. Got a pre-existing condition - even one that's inexpensive to manage? They treat you like a driver with a history of wrapping cars around trees. :mad:

Then there's the cost of medicines, which is only going to rise. There's a new treatment (Gilenya) coming out this year for people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: the first real oral therapy (no injections). Great, but the wholesale cost is $48,000 a year, which translates to about €100 per day. Good luck getting that on the VHI ...

starbelgrade

I love the VHI ad with the one from saying that she couldn't believe that being in hospital in some third world country was just like being in one in Cork... as if it was a good thing.

Cookie_Monster

Fantastic you now have to pay even more and still have the privilege of being stuck on a trolley cos all our hospitals are ****.

Feeona

I've paid private health insurance for years. It's something my parents always had, and I was always on their plan so I just carried it on.

Over the past few months I've been wondering is there any benefit in paying private health insurance. I know of a few friends who went public when they were pregnant, private health insurance didn't really do anything for them. Public health care just seems to be the same as private health care. What are we paying for? It's not like the States where you're looked upon as a deviant if you don't have private health care. We're still at a stage here in Ireland where you will be taken care of (by overworked staff in over crowded hospitals, but still taken care of) whether you have insurance or not.

drdeadlift

Im with them the past five years been paying 20quid a week, only used them once had an mri done didnt cost me jack.Im in two minds if i need it anymore.

LizT

I'm with them and will probably stay with them (because my parents pay for mine, my dad's over 70 and other health insurance companies do feck all for him)

E.T.

Feeona wrote: »

I've paid private health insurance for years. It's something my parents always had, and I was always on their plan so I just carried it on.

Over the past few months I've been wondering is there any benefit in paying private health insurance. I know of a few friends who went public when they were pregnant, private health insurance didn't really do anything for them. Public health care just seems to be the same as private health care. What are we paying for? It's not like the States where you're looked upon as a deviant if you don't have private health care. We're still at a stage here in Ireland where you will be taken care of (by overworked staff in over crowded hospitals, but still taken care of) whether you have insurance or not.

If you're a public patient who isn't entitled to a medical card, and you end up staying in hospital you have to pay a fee per night, as well as for certain tests. I had a relative in hospital last year, pre-existing condition not covered by their insurance, so they had to pay. It's €75 a night, to a max of €750 over 12 consecutive months. The citizens information site says the following are excluded from charges:

* Medical card holders
* People receiving treatment for prescribed infectious diseases
* People who are subject to "long stay" charges
* Children up to six weeks of age, children suffering from prescribed diseases and disabilities and children referred for treatment
from child health clinics and school board examinations
* People who are entitled to hospital services because of EU Regulations
* Women receiving maternity services.

Run_to_da_hills

Feeona wrote: »

I've paid private health insurance for years. It's something my parents always had, and I was always on their plan so I just carried it on.

Over the past few months I've been wondering is there any benefit in paying private health insurance. I know of a few friends who went public when they were pregnant, private health insurance didn't really do anything for them. Public health care just seems to be the same as private health care. What are we paying for? It's not like the States where you're looked upon as a deviant if you don't have private health care. We're still at a stage here in Ireland where you will be taken care of (by overworked staff in over crowded hospitals, but still taken care of) whether you have insurance or not.

I had public up until about 12 years ago when a mate almost lost his leg in a motorbike crash because of waiting months to get treatment to reset his leg, he still suffers. If the guy had private cover he would have been attended to immediatly. I wouldn't dream of getting on a bike without having private cover.

Hospital care is going down the same road as in the US, the gap is widening between those that can afford private and those than cannot. As public hospital service deteriorates it becomes necessary to cover yourself privately.

hal9000

E.T. wrote: »

prescribed infectious diseases

HSE are prescribing diseases now!

E.T.

hal9000 wrote: »

HSE are prescribing diseases now!

Haven't you heard of Harneyitis? It's an inflammation of the rage gland caused by listening to news about the incompetency/inadequacy/ignorance of high level officials (note - not frontline staff) which lead to a complete screwing of the general public. Very dangerous and extremely contagious, especially if you've had relatives/friends in hospital recently.

TheZohanS

drdeadlift wrote: »

Im with them the past five years been paying 20quid a week, only used them once had an mri done didnt cost me jack.Im in two minds if i need it anymore.

I was in two minds a couple of years ago then I had to go into hospital for some tests. Turned out I needed surgery, would have been waiting nearly a year if I was a public patient. As a private a private patient I could pick and choose whatever hospital I wanted and the dates for surgery. Saved myself a lot of time, hassle and worry. In the end I needed a second operation, total bill came to over €10k all paid for by VHI.

cbyrd

I was admitted to hospital a few weeks ago.. handed over my insurance card and all was taken care of... plus i get up to 60% of my gp dental osteopath eyecare money back.. i'll be getting a lovely cheque for about €1200 in feb... just in time for the holidays.. it's actually amazing when you count up receipts how much u spend in a year with doctors and the like (family of 5):eek:

The health care system is actually one of the best it's just the getting diagnosed and seen to.. I went public for allergy testing and waited 8 months for an appointment. I couldn't actually go private as there were no doctors accepting private patients so in this instance my insurance wasn't necessary,

i was píssed off though cos we pay a lot each year and i have no problem paying to be seen quicker, i'm lucky we can afford it.. just a stupid policy that you have it and can't make use of it.. somebody needs to be slapped for that law :rolleyes:

JazzyJ

Some of their increases are just taking the piss.

Plan B /Plan B Excess 35%

Plan B Options 45%

Rabidlamb

Costs are going up cause the HSE are increasing the charges for a private beds in public hospitals.
The VHI is just a revenue vehicle for the health service cause older customers have no choice.
It's like putting 4c on petrol.

Oasis44

I think it's becoming crazy expensive now to have private insurance. I personally stopped my aviva plan in 2009 when I lost my job and I've yet to sign back up even though I'm back in work. The benefits are primarily the speed in which your seen BUT apparently if your public and your GP thinks you may have a serious condition then they can speed the process up - personally I would love to go private again but right now it's unaffordable - just that simple I'm afraid.

jester77

How much does it now cost annually?

I remember my parents telling me what they were paying and I thought it was cheap at the time compared to what I was paying here in Germany, but that was a few years back.

E.T.

I pay Quinn just under €800 for a single person (Company Care, no excess).

jester77

jester77 wrote: »

How much does it now cost annually?

I remember my parents telling me what they were paying and I thought it was cheap at the time compared to what I was paying here in Germany, but that was a few years back.

Germany is a bit crazy for insurance & tax

anyway mine personally costs around 600 a year

Dacelonid

I thought that I would be able to cope with the advertised 10-15% hike, but looking at the details, my plan B cost is going to be going up by €26 a month (~34% hike). That is disgraceful.

Looks like I will be moving bank (BOI) and health insurance(VHI) this year

Feeona

TheZohan wrote: »

I was in two minds a couple of years ago then I had to go into hospital for some tests. Turned out I needed surgery, would have been waiting nearly a year if I was a public patient. As a private a private patient I could pick and choose whatever hospital I wanted and the dates for surgery. Saved myself a lot of time, hassle and worry. In the end I needed a second operation, total bill came to over €10k all paid for by VHI.

Good to hear that people are getting value from their private insurance. I haven't had to go in to get surgery done (touch wood), but my boyfriend has been in and out to A and E with sports injuries. The average waiting time was seven/eight hours, seems it's those who need it most get seen first (which is only right) but you sometimes wonder what you're shelling out money for!

Lostinspace

The premiums are going to rise from February 1st onwards. If your renewal date is after Feb 1st then you are going to be affected by these increases.

However, if you ring the VHI now and change your renewal date to before February 1st then you can still avail of the current premiums for 12 months.

You are entitled to do this.

mayo.mick

Got my renewal from vhi just before christmas, i was on plan b options but they changed the name of it to one plan complete will cost me €1095 :mad:
Just looked back on a previous policy 02, cost me €450

Eoin

Feeona wrote: »

Good to hear that people are getting value from their private insurance. I haven't had to go in to get surgery done (touch wood), but my boyfriend has been in and out to A and E with sports injuries. The average waiting time was seven/eight hours, seems it's those who need it most get seen first (which is only right) but you sometimes wonder what you're shelling out money for!

Their clinics are probably better for that type of stuff, if there are any near you. If your boyfriend needed any MRIs or outpatient care, he would probably notice the difference of having VHI cover. I had to get an MRI or something similar on my back last year, and most of it was covered by VHI.

Feeona

eoin wrote: »

Their clinics are probably better for that type of stuff, if there are any near you. If your boyfriend needed any MRIs or outpatient care, he would probably notice the difference of having VHI cover. I had to get an MRI or something similar on my back last year, and most of it was covered by VHI.

Yeah he's gone into the doctor today, his back has been at him for ages (nothing to do with me ). He wants to get an MRI done, at least he'll be covered for that.

sellerbarry

It's the same doctor doing the procedure whether you're private or public. Just get a nicer room and menu with private. Not worth it imo.;)

jester77

bluewolf wrote: »

Germany is a bit crazy for insurance & tax

anyway mine personally costs around 600 a year

Sounds reasonable compared to here, mine costs around 5k and it's mandatory plus they increased it again at the start of this year and I had to pay a zuschlag at the end of last year as what I paid didn't cover their costs :mad:

jester77

jester77 wrote: »

Sounds reasonable compared to here, mine costs around 5k and it's mandatory plus they increased it again at the start of this year and I had to pay a zuschlag at the end of last year as what I paid didn't cover their costs :mad:

Yes I often tell OH the reason he pays so much is probably cos having it is mandatory over there, so the companies/state know they can charge whatever as people have to pay either way. At the same time though it seems to cover a lot more than here, walk into a GP etc?

gazzer

After careful consideration I am getting rid of my health insurance for the following reasons:

1. If I have an accident and get taking to the local A&E private health insurance is not going to help me when I am lying on a trolley waiting to be admitted.

2. Paying health insurance for a private room in a public hospital is a con because you very rarely get a private room. You nearly always end up in the same ward you would if you were not paying insurance.

3. The main reason for me paying the insurance was for using a consultant if (god forbid) I had something wrong with me. In the public system you could be waiting 12 months or more to see a consultant. Privately you could see the consultant in a week. What I am going to do in future is (if) I need to see a consultant I will pay to see them privately and then if any operation etc is needed I will request it will be done on the public system.

That way I am bypassing the initial wait to see the consultant and by going back on the public system I only have to wait 3 months max for my operation (because of the NTPF).

4. I am going to join the Hospital Saturday Fund for day to day medical expenses. Your spouse or partner is covered for free.

jester77

bluewolf wrote: »

Yes I often tell OH the reason he pays so much is probably cos having it is mandatory over there, so the companies/state know they can charge whatever as people have to pay either way. At the same time though it seems to cover a lot more than here, walk into a GP etc?

The system seems to be better here, but people still complain!! But to be honest I've no idea how it works, I've only been to the doctor a few times in the last 10 years and that was just to get jabs for traveling. I know you just pay €10 for your first visit to a GP every quarter, so you would only ever pay a max of €40 per year. Much better than the €60 per visit that people pay in Ireland, but the downside is that you have some people going in if they just feel an itch and they push up the costs!

Fighting Irish

They are a business, they can charge what they want

leeroybrown

Fighting Irish wrote: »

They are a business, they can charge what they want

VHI is currently a non-profit organisations. The profits it makes on paper are used to improve it's solvency for the purposes of paying health costs.

CathyMoran

It is terrible that the premiums are being raised again but I would not give up our health insurance, other things will suffer though. It is not much use for maternity (in my experience) as you have to pay large amounts in addition if you wish to go private and you may not get a private room even still. It is useful if you unexpectedly develop an illness that will require medical care on an ongoing basis and while you have to pay a lot of the consultant fees to be seen if you need procedures the waiting periods are not bad.

Kasabian

Simple solution to all this if you think about it.

Don't get sick

ntlbell

gazzer wrote: »

After careful consideration I am getting rid of my health insurance for the following reasons:

1. If I have an accident and get taking to the local A&E private health insurance is not going to help me when I am lying on a trolley waiting to be admitted.

2. Paying health insurance for a private room in a public hospital is a con because you very rarely get a private room. You nearly always end up in the same ward you would if you were not paying insurance.

3. The main reason for me paying the insurance was for using a consultant if (god forbid) I had something wrong with me. In the public system you could be waiting 12 months or more to see a consultant. Privately you could see the consultant in a week. What I am going to do in future is (if) I need to see a consultant I will pay to see them privately and then if any operation etc is needed I will request it will be done on the public system.

That way I am bypassing the initial wait to see the consultant and by going back on the public system I only have to wait 3 months max for my operation (because of the NTPF).

4. I am going to join the Hospital Saturday Fund for day to day medical expenses. Your spouse or partner is covered for free.

so you pay out of your own pocket to see a consultant within a week

then go on a 12 month waiting list for surgery

interesting

byhookorbycrook

bnt wrote: »

Then there's the cost of medicines, which is only going to rise. There's a new treatment (Gilenya) coming out this year for people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: the first real oral therapy (no injections). Great, but the wholesale cost is $48,000 a year, which translates to about €100 per day. Good luck getting that on the VHI ...

I'm with VHI and use Tysabri for my MS, costs about €2,500 a month, all covered. Public patients do NOT get this treatment.
Previously, I was on the betaferon injections ,cost about €1,500 a month ,covered by LTI scheme .

gazzer

ntlbell wrote: »

so you pay out of your own pocket to see a consultant within a week

then go on a 12 month waiting list for surgery

interesting

The waiting list should only be 3 months. The bottleneck seems to be in getting to see the consultant. That can take a year or more. So if you opt to see the consultant privately you will see them a lot quicker than a year.

Once you see the consultant you are then on the waiting list for treatment (if it is needed) and with the HTPF you should not be waiting any more than 3 months.

FlutterinBantam

leeroybrown wrote: »

VHI is currently a non-profit organisations. The profits it makes on paper are used to improve it's solvency for the purposes of paying health costs.

Indeed indeed.And why are are these price increases happening my friends?


Health service stake holders have their heads firmly jammed in the trough, in balls deep.

All the vested interests, consultants, nurses, doctors , paras, and all the ancillary stuff are balls deep in the trough which is being filled by John Q Taxpayer.

We are being ridden roughshod by the vested interests in the Health Service.


Who will call these gimps out and put a bit of reality into the situation.


Dr J.?

Plazaman

It's not the Health Insurers that are the rip offs, it's the service providers i.e. the Hospitals. VHI done some streamlining last year regarding some consultants who basically charge €250 for their signature without seeing the patient at all. Most public hospitals charge Health Insurers AT LEAST €950 per night for private rooms and €680 per night for public beds (trolleys are extra probably). My last 2 visits to hospital I got the old switcharoo as I was put into a private room for about an hour and then turfed into the public ward but Health Insurer charged full whack.

For 950 a night I could get a room in a top Dublin Hotel and have my nuts licked by a beautiful latino lady. Regardless of other acronyms, it'd be MRSA free.

CathyMoran

I went to see a consultant privatly and it took 6 weeks (and that was a cancelation), having said that, as soon as I saw him I got the first test done for that condition the following day and a biopsy within the same week. I was so glad that I had my insurance as I am not sure that I would still be here otherwise (was diagnosed with a very fast spreading cancer in 2006 when I was 32).

spank_inferno

I've always gone the self-pay route myself

Last year I had a Pilonidal Sinus (for those in the know, it hurts!)

As this was the 2nd time I had it I didnt want to go through the slow painfull public wait.

So I seen a consultant privately.... he booked me into a public bed for operation within 1 month, I paid for his & the surgery teams time & my bed.

Care was great.... end to end it cost about €1000 of which I got 20% back from the revenue.

no muss... no fuss.