Why does anyone need VHI

cancercowboy

Seems like a luxury to me especially considering we have "free" Public Health Care.

Worried about the price increases? Drop 'em, you don't it.

starbelgrade

I'd have imagined that a cancer cowboy would have had plenty of health insurance.

Grassroots_FF

I've been a proud VHI member all my life. Never jumped on that BUPA/Quinn bandwagon. Ya have to have it because you will never know when ya need it as the man says!

Ghandee

cancercowboy wrote: »

Why does anyone need VHI

Because these days, no one needs HIV anymore, its soo 80's loike!

ibarelycare

Since when do we have free health care?

I used to wonder what was the point in paying VHI. I was still paying for doctor's visits, prescriptions, physio when I needed it and was getting f*ck all back.

Then I started having some medical issues a couple of years and since then, VHI have paid in excess of €15k for me. You never know when you'll need it.

rockmongrel

I've been seriously ill 3 times in my life and I'm only 21. Without VHI, I'd almost certainly be dead.

byhookorbycrook

My MS treatment costs €2,500 a month. Public system doesn't pay for it, VHI does.

fontanalis

ibarelycare wrote: »

Since when do we have free health care?

I used to wonder what was the point in paying VHI. I was still paying for doctor's visits, prescriptions, physio when I needed it and was getting f*ck all back.

Then I started having some medical issues a couple of years and since then, VHI have paid in excess of €15k for me. You never know when you'll need it.

Exactly, the health system isn't free. The reason you need VHI is because you don't want to eb a number on the trolley list. You shouldn't need to have it but there you go.

Badgermonkey

OP,

Are you winding us up?

galwayrush

Can't aford it, couldn't even get a medical card despite wife having cancer.
****ed by tax man because i used whatever money i had to get her treatment, thought that was more important in the circumstances,

ted1

you don't need vhi as there are other companies offering better products for less.

Grassroots_FF

galwayrush wrote: »

Can't aford it, couldn't even get a medical card despite wife having cancer.
****ed by tax man because i used whatever money i had to get her treatment, thought that was more important in the circumstances,

Have you called to see your local TD? I'm sure they would help. I know my local TD and minister helped a neighbour get a medical card.

galwayrush

Grassroots_FF wrote: »

Have you called to see your local TD? I'm sure they would help

That shower of ***** are a total waste of time.

starbelgrade

Grassroots_FF wrote: »

I've been a proud VHI member all my life. Never jumped on that BUPA/Quinn bandwagon. Ya have to have it because you will never know when ya need it as the man says!

If ever there was a reason for changing from VHI to BUPA or Quinn, it would be a recommendation from a poster whose username is Grassroots FF.

Cranky Mc Funhouse

ibarelycare wrote: »

Since when do we have free health care?

I used to wonder what was the point in paying VHI. I was still paying for doctor's visits, prescriptions, physio when I needed it and was getting f*ck all back.

Then I started having some medical issues a couple of years and since then, VHI have paid in excess of €15k for me. You never know when you'll need it.

It could cost up to ten times that to be have VHI cover for 20 years, I would reckon the average amount claimed back over that time per person is below 10K. Better off putting that money to work for you imo.

starbelgrade

Grassroots_FF wrote: »

Have you called to see your local TD? I'm sure they would help. I know my local TD and minister helped a neighbour get a medical card.

Part of the reason why our political system is a load of cock... TDs & ministers playing the parish pump political games instead of doing what we really need, which is major political reform & strong policies that don't leave the likes of cancer patients paying for their own treatments.

token56

Because private health care rocks, comparatively speaking. Private health is what public health care should be like. Of course it never will be.

Health insurance is indeed a luxury for those who can afford and it's invaluable to some people. But even for the standard of care they provide such premiums should never be needed. The health system is quite simply a disaster.

CreepingDeath

cancercowboy wrote: »

Why does anyone need VHI.

To spell "vehicle" properly.

crosstownk

cancercowboy wrote: »

we have "free" Public Health Care.

Have you researched this? Even a little bit?

ibarelycare

Cranky Mc Funhouse wrote: »

It could cost up to ten times that to be have VHI cover for 20 years, I would reckon the average amount claimed back over that time per person is below 10K. Better off putting that money to work for you imo.

Supposing I'm still working for the next 20 years, I'll be able to afford health insurance. I won't be able to afford lump sums of a few grand at a time every time I need a procedure.

ascanbe

Grassroots_FF wrote: »

Have you called to see your local TD? I'm sure they would help. I know my local TD and minister helped a neighbour get a medical card.

This, when you combine it with the name, seems like it must just be some nice troll work; in this country ,though, you can never be entirely sure.

byhookorbycrook

€2,500 x 12 + three MRI last year,reckon I got my money's worth.

fire_man

I have a medical card,do i need Health Insurance?

stovelid

cancercowboy wrote: »

Seems like a luxury to me especially considering we have "free" Public Health Care.

Not if you don't qualify for a medical card.

Grassroots_FF wrote: »

Have you called to see your local TD? I'm sure they would help. I know my local TD and minister helped a neighbour get a medical card.

What was the TD's name?

Chuchoter

I don't know, not having private insurance means you have to wait months to see consultants, surgeries or scans, and if you're in constant pain thats really not a situation you want to be in.

smokedeels

you try getting the sh1ts in Kenya

galwayrush

crayolastereo wrote: »

I don't know, not having private insurance means you have to wait months to see consultants, surgeries or scans, and if you're in constant pain thats really not a situation you want to be in.

The same consultants can see you right away when you pay hard cash...

Grassroots_FF

galwayrush wrote: »

The same consultants can see you right away when you pay hard cash...

Do you not think paying customers deserve to be seen before those who don't pay? If you go into a restaurant and say you are hungry but have no money I'm sure they will give you some food but only after the paying customers have been fed first.

OPENROAD

Would love to know how Private health care premiums per capita relate compared to other countries.

macquarie

Never had health insurance, will probably never need it (male, 28) . I've never been in hospital in my life (unless visiting someone) and been to the doctor maybe once in the last 10 years. Just eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, do some exercise, and don't smoke/drink too much and I don't see any reason why someone would be visiting doctor/hospital so much as to warrant health insurance.

WalterMitty

if ya need to go into psychiatric hospital the only decent ones are private and without VHI would cost you 16,000 a month.

Grassroots_FF

WalterMitty wrote: »

if ya need to go into psychiatric hospital the only decent ones are private and without VHI would cost you 16,000 a month.

No wonder the posters on here are so irate:pac:

longhalloween

cancercowboy wrote: »

Seems like a luxury to me especially considering we have "free" Public Health Care.

Ah yeah, sure when the government is pulling massive surpluses every year they can afford to!!


In fairness tho, one of my friends was told if she went public it would take 3 years to get seen by a specialist, private would take a week.

rainbowdrop

Grassroots_FF wrote: »

Do you not think paying customers deserve to be seen before those who don't pay? If you go into a restaurant and say you are hungry but have no money I'm sure they will give you some food but only after the paying customers have been fed first.

So if a medical card holder discovered they had Cancer, for example, and needed an urgent operation to remove a tumour, you would put them to the back of the waiting list behind 'paying customers' (who might not need an operation as urgently) even though the likelihood is that they will die unless they have the operation as soon as possible?

Grassroots_FF

rainbowdrop wrote: »

So if a medical card holder discovered they had Cancer, for example, and needed an urgent operation to remove a tumour, you would put them to the back of the waiting list behind 'paying customers' (who might not need an operation as urgently) even though the likelihood is that they will die unless they have the operation as soon as possible?

Not if there was a risk of them dying. But if there's two patients in the same situation then the paying one should be treated first.

Dudess

Because it's a lot better than that sh1te MTV...

goat2

starbelgrade wrote: »

If ever there was a reason for changing from VHI to BUPA or Quinn, it would be a recommendation from a poster whose username is Grassroots FF.

reason i have vhi, very ill once cost 7k to be taken care of so we joined vhi, there are great advantages having it, when you have someone in the family who may need a 22k operation at any time, at least i can sleep knowing i will have my offspring taken care of, she already had a 12k op 4 yrs ago, and that may have to be repeated, life or death for her if we do not have it

goat2

rainbowdrop wrote: »

So if a medical card holder discovered they had Cancer, for example, and needed an urgent operation to remove a tumour, you would put them to the back of the waiting list behind 'paying customers' (who might not need an operation as urgently) even though the likelihood is that they will die unless they have the operation as soon as possible?

you got it all wrong, the vhi customer is alleviating the public health by going private and leaving a bed available for the person on public health, now what will happen is both the private health patient who cannot afford to pay vhi anymore due to the jump in price and loss in wages will be clogging up the public health list also. things are going to get worse from now on for all, an auful lot more beds in corridors, people being pushed out of hospitals before they should be,

whatsamsn

I was talking to my dad today about VHI (as it was on the rte news)

He made a fair point ... why are so many "young" people paying VHI? .. yes I know its sensible as you dont know whats around the corner and if you have serious health problems you're covered. But lets be honest how many people, who are young, really need VHI?

I'd be willing to bet a large percentage of young people just pay VHI and never have any need of it.

whatdoicare

rainbowdrop wrote: »

So if a medical card holder discovered they had Cancer, for example, and needed an urgent operation to remove a tumour, you would put them to the back of the waiting list behind 'paying customers' (who might not need an operation as urgently) even though the likelihood is that they will die unless they have the operation as soon as possible?

Here's an example for you:

Dad has VHI insurance - had a severe headache for a weekend that wouldn't go away - went to see doctor Monday - MRI scan Wednesday - All clear following Tues with a personal phone call from cancer specialist. Relief was beyond words for all the family. Week from hell we never want to go through again!

Woman sitting next to him waiting for MRI (public patient), told my Dad she had Liver cancer and had been in remission for a year when her tests came up with an abnormality. Seven months, SEVEN, she had to wait for her appointment for MRI and to see a specialist! Could you imagine what that poor woman went through in seven months of not knowing if her cancer had returned?!! If she did have cancer, surely she could have been beyond help after seven months?


I have a ton more example but this one is the most recent!

Oranage2

F*ck - This thread has scare mongered me into potentially buying health insurance!!!

whatdoicare

whatsamsn wrote: »

I was talking to my dad today about VHI (as it was on the rte news)

He made a fair point ... why are so many "young" people paying VHI? .. yes I know its sensible as you dont know whats around the corner and if you have serious health problems you're covered. But lets be honest how many people, who are young, really need VHI?

I'd be willing to bet a large percentage of young people just pay VHI and never have any need of it.

What about stuff that young men and women tend to do - such as give birth,
Sports injuries, Drinking injuries, Cancer has no age limit, car crash, auto immune problems, swine flu? Need I go on? Illness and injury are not just an old persons problem.

whatsamsn

Well my dad isnt beside me right now... but I know what he and average people of his age will say

"... people in my day didnt pay for that ..." and you know what they lived their lives. Car crashes ... immune problems etc etc.


Simple fact is VHI (and other companies) must wa*k at young people paying the fees. For every 1 person who 'gets their use' out of vhi, what 20 dont?
Now I can understand why people pay it. Dont know whats around the corner and what not. Can be seen as sensible. But lets be honest, insurance is about calculating odds and percentages.

whatdoicare

whatsamsn wrote: »

Well my dad isnt beside me right now... but I know what he and average people of his age will say

"... people in my day didnt pay for that ..." and you know what they lived their lives. Car crashes ... immune problems etc etc.

Yeah my dad didn't either - so when he had a car crash and f**kd up his knee - he did what everyone did in his time - took strong painkillers and ignored it!

30 years later he needed two hip operations and a new knee - caused by arthritis directly from his knee injury 30 years previous! Guess what paid for that?

whatsamsn

See no one is arguing why people would take a health care plan. As i say again sensible.


HOWEVER!
Is your counter argument that everyone in the country should have a vhi (or another) plan?

whatdoicare

whatsamsn wrote: »

See no one is arguing why people would take a health care plan. As i say again sensible.


HOWEVER!
Is your counter argument that everyone in the country should have a vhi (or another) plan?

Yes, if you can afford it - it's too late getting it after yr injured as insurance doesn't cover prexisting illnesses and injuries for five years after you first sign up and sometimes not at all.
If I want to have babies, I have to be signed up for at least two years before getting pregnant - too late trying to get it after I've conceived.
My husband injured his shoulder recently, almost certainly will cause him problems later - wouldn't be full covered for it if we didn't already have insurance from before his injury.

Corsendonk

token56 wrote: »

Because private health care rocks, comparatively speaking. Private health is what public health care should be like. Of course it never will be.

Health insurance is indeed a luxury for those who can afford and it's invaluable to some people. But even for the standard of care they provide such premiums should never be needed. The health system is quite simply a disaster.

Not when the private health care system work depends on consultants fiddling there public/private patient split so they can do more private work. VHI system is a joke, creates a two tier system ineffiecient system that breeds corruption. I understand that VHI will be looking to introduce waiting lists for some of their catagories as they are really struggling for cash.

The Danes pay higher taxes than us but they know when they fall ill they have a public bed waiting for them.

whatsamsn

whatdoicare wrote: »

Yes, if you can afford it - it's too late getting it after yr injured as insurance doesn't cover prexisting illnesses and injuries for five years after you first sign up and sometimes not at all.
If I want to have babies, I have to be signed up for at least two years before getting pregnant - too late trying to get it after I've conceived.
My husband injured his shoulder recently, almost certainly will cause him problems later - wouldn't be full covered for it if we didn't already have insurance from before his injury.

While I understand where you are coming from. As it is sensible and no one can say otherwise. But all health care companies would have a big wa*k if everyone in this country was on a plan.

But i think you hit the nail on the head... if people can afford it. Then why not. However if people cant I think it can be somewhat foolish. For example, not being able to pay the rent but at least if you get sick your covered?


So personally I think yeah if you can afford it. Go for it. If you cant. Its foolish.

Tar.Aldarion

At what age would you guys have started getting it? Just as soon as you started working?

whatdoicare

whatsamsn wrote: »

While I understand where you are coming from. As it is sensible and no one can say otherwise. But all health care companies would have a big wa*k if everyone in this country was on a plan.

But i think you hit the nail on the head... if people can afford it. Then why not. However if people cant I think it can be somewhat foolish. For example, not being able to pay the rent but at least if you get sick your covered?


So personally I think yeah if you can afford it. Go for it. If you cant. Its foolish.

Well, finacially, it's easier to scrape together a grand (or eighty a month - which is how I pay) to cover myself and the hubby (and children are covered with me for free up to a certain age) once a year than to try scrape a few grand together on the hop for anything unexpected. If we hadn't the insurance when my husband injured his shoulder before christmas, we could not have afforded the operation he needed and the time off work he would have had to take waiting for his op (he's self employed - so no sick days and this is his busiest time). He went in 6am (time of injury) and was home 6pm two days later. In for work next morning.
Going public, he might have had to wait at least a fortnight (we asked the surgeon) so he obviously would have been out of work that whole time as he couldn't drive or lift his arm above his head. Disaster!

OPENROAD

whatdoicare wrote: »

Well, finacially, it's easier to scrape together a grand (or eighty a month - which is how I pay) to cover myself and the hubby (and children are covered with me for free up to a certain age) once a year than to try scrape a few grand together on the hop for anything unexpected. If we hadn't the insurance when my husband injured his shoulder before christmas, we could not have afforded the operation he needed and the time off work he would have had to take waiting for his op (he's self employed - so no sick days and this is his busiest time). He went in 6am (time of injury) and was home 6pm two days later. In for work next morning.
Going public, he might have had to wait at least a fortnight (we asked the surgeon) so he obviously would have been out of work that whole time as he couldn't drive or lift his arm above his head. Disaster!

That wouldn't cover everything or would it ?i.e. assume different level of policies cover different things?