Health Insurance any advice please

mrsbouquet

My husband and I have been in the VHI for over fourteen years. I am currently in the B options plan but this has gone upby 45% :mad:this year so our pemium is just under €3,000 from January 2012 so I think I have to re consider. I got quoted €1340 from Quinn health for their credit union starter plan so I contacted VHI to cancel my policy. Now I had rang them about a month ago and they said to drop the options on the b policy and the premium would be approx €5 less per week less. So I contacted VHI again today and they suggested the 250 I think it was called starter policy and it would make it the same price as the Quinn health one. I wish their was a broker i could go to just like car/house insurance for advice from as I simply do not know what to do so any advice would be much appreciated.:)

Ms_Opinionated

Hi mrsbouquet!
I understand ur frustration! Its kind of like reading a german novel when you try to understand the whole health insurance game!
I dont know how old you and your husband are but the main things you will need when you hit the over 50 mark is cover for orthopaedics and opthalmics so that you dont have it when you might need it. With the B Opts you have full cardiac cover in places like Blackrock and Mater private! So thats the reason why its gone up so much is so you can keeo these things! Have a look at Plan B and Plan B Excess which will reduce the cost but still have high cover!
The other plan recommended is probably One Plan 250 which will reduce your cover alot and you will have waiting periods to increase your cover again!
With Aviva as well, alot of the plans will have a 2000 euro co-payment for orthopaedics/opthalmics as well!
The way I would think of it is that if there is a big price difference with different plans, there is no way the benefits can possibly be the same!

broker2008

There are a number of brokers who specialise in heath insurance. They will show you pros and cons.

mrsbouquet

Ms_Opinionated wrote: »

Hi mrsbouquet!
I understand ur frustration! Its kind of like reading a german novel when you try to understand the whole health insurance game!
I dont know how old you and your husband are but the main things you will need when you hit the over 50 mark is cover for orthopaedics and opthalmics so that you dont have it when you might need it. With the B Opts you have full cardiac cover in places like Blackrock and Mater private! So thats the reason why its gone up so much is so you can keeo these things! Have a look at Plan B and Plan B Excess which will reduce the cost but still have high cover!
The other plan recommended is probably One Plan 250 which will reduce your cover alot and you will have waiting periods to increase your cover again!
With Aviva as well, alot of the plans will have a 2000 euro co-payment for orthopaedics/opthalmics as well!
The way I would think of it is that if there is a big price difference with different plans, there is no way the benefits can possibly be the same!

Thanks for that I have decided to stick with the VHI for this year but downgraded to b excess i think. Will be covered for the private hospitals but will have to pay 125 I think for any period in hospital. Not sure of full details until I receive policy details.

mrsbouquet

broker2008 wrote: »

There are a number of brokers who specialise in heath insurance. They will show you pros and cons.

Thanks for that I have stayed with VHI for the next year as I didnt have time to look into all the different policies with the other insurers. However I would be very interested in finding a broker fior advice for next year. Where could I find these do you know ?;)

broker2008

Plan B Excess has €75 excess not €125 but as for One Plan +