Warning of 15% increase in cost of health insurance. What cover, if any, have you got

IvaBigWun

Minister for Health James Reilly has called on insurers to absorb the cost of stamp duty increases and not add them to the health cover premiums of younger people.

Yesterday Dr Reilly announced a number of rule changes announced which, coupled with budget reductions in tax relief on premiums, are expected to see premiums increase by approximately 15 per cent.

An average family with two children will pay an extra €328 in premiums next year as a result of yesterday’s change and the budget cuts in tax relief, insurer GloHealth estimated.

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan: “I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that based on 2012 data, the most up-to-date data available, it is estimated that up to 577,000 policyholders, which provide cover for 1.1 million individuals, may be affected by this measure.”Noonan says 1.1 million hit by reduction in tax relief on health insurance premiums"

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore: “I recognise there are continuing challenges and problems in the health services.”
<snip>

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/reilly-calls-on-health-insurers-to-absorb-increases-1.1593358

Can people really take any more increases like this?

What cover, if any, have you got?

Poll to follow

5p9arw38djv2b4

VHI international policy, it's bloody expensive and last year I ended up in hospital and they informed me my accident type was no longer covered (it used to be but had been removed from policy) luckily good NHS cover here!

However I will probably keep paying it even with increase cause if I need any kind of serious operation the cost of paying for a few days as an inpatient are so expensive if I was treated in Ireland. Apparently if you cancel your policy you need to have 2 or 3 years built back up before you can claim for certain cancer treatments etc. Hospital

What makes me most cross is the health policies available to older people, I looked at my parents policy last year, it's ridiculous that my mother in her 70's has a policy that covers (and just charges for) maternity cover - but I tried a few policies and could not fine one that didn't include it.

emo72

had health insurance for 10 years. cancelled it this year. it just got too expensive. we all go public now. this is crazyness of the highest order. the lunatics are running the asylum.

hfallada

Health insurance is expensive but essential. My mother gets back pain and would have to want 6 months going public. But if she calls up the surgeon on Monday, she can be on surgery on a Friday. People talk about other countries health system being amazing, but you pay for them with a **** load of taxes(take Germany)

Irish people want a world class health system for nothing.

IvaBigWun

hfallada wrote: »

People talk about other countries health system being amazing, but you pay for them with a **** load of taxes(take Germany)

So we get an over busy public system despite paying a sh!t load of taxes?

The Backwards Man

VHI's basic plan. Never been sick a day in my life, touch wood.

SV

Absolutely none, it's a waste of money unless you're at a risk of bad health.

Filibuster

SV wrote: »

Absolutely none, it's a waste of money unless you're at a risk of bad health.

Live and learn...

TheBoffin

Only reason I have healthcare is because I get it free as part of my Job, I just pick up the BIK tax on it.

I thought FG policy was to private healthcare and eventually have no public system, instead to provide health insurance for those that cant afford it via the welfare system.

This is surely an ar*e about face way of doing it??

hfallada

hfallada wrote: »

Irish people want a world class health system for nothing.

Usual rubbish. The HSE costs as much per capita as the NHS. I'm sure anyone who's had to wait over 3 years (and still counting) for an appointment for a debilitating and deteriorating condition would take the NHS over what we have here right now.

5p9arw38djv2b4

Deleted User wrote: »

Usual rubbish. The HSE costs as much per capita as the NHS. I'm sure anyone who's had to wait over 3 years (and still counting) for an appointment for a debilitating and deteriorating condition would take the NHS over what we have here right now.

People in UK go crazy about the NHS being an appalling service and a huge waste of money so the grass is always greener. (though my person experience inpatient, outpatient and with doctor has been excellent with NHS - mostly I think the capped ores rates £7.20 per prescription is fantastic, and free birth control).

General General

VHI something or other, changed from plan b... never really needed it. I hope it stays that way.

Say what you like about the UK, that NHS is a great thing, even if not without flaws. It looks like the Tories will finish it off in the next 10 years or so, shame...

LadyLabyrinth

LadyLabyrinth wrote: »

People in UK go crazy about the NHS being an appalling service and a huge waste of money so the grass is always greener. (though my person experience inpatient, outpatient and with doctor has been excellent with NHS - mostly I think the capped ores rates £7.20 per prescription is fantastic, and free birth control).

Their perception is pretty much irrelevant.

General General

Filibuster wrote: »

Live and learn...

Lesson being that if they find out that you had the condition before you joined, even if it hadn't been diagnosed... well, tough sh!t.

Some people seem to think that they will somehow know how to get on board 'just' before they need it.

SV

Filibuster wrote: »

Live and learn...

I can't possibly see a situation that I would require health insurance for is all.
I mean, what is there?

General General

SV wrote: »

I can't possibly see a situation that I would require health insurance for is all.
I mean, what is there?

Consult any textbook on pathophysiology, for examples.

5p9arw38djv2b4

Was chatting health insurance to a german girl at work today and she said it's mandatory for everyone. You either pay in a government health care scheme or if you really afford it you go private - but that the public scheme can be better. Thought it quite interesting that health insurance be mandatory like car insurance, I never realised any countries did that.

General General

LadyLabyrinth wrote: »

Was chatting health insurance to a german girl at work today and she said it's mandatory for everyone. You either pay in a government health care scheme or if you really afford it you go private - but that the public scheme can be better. Thought it quite interesting that health insurance be mandatory like car insurance, I never realised any countries did that.

Swiss do that too, iirc.

Finns have a fabulous health service, free, except you have to pay massive taxes.. & learn how to speak Finnish.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Fred Swanson

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

What the yanks are attempting is quite a bit different :P

IvaBigWun

Deleted User wrote: »

What the yanks are attempting is quite a bit different :P

"ObamaCare" is a term used alot in the media. Could anyone sum it up in 10 words or less?

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Cookie_Monster

IvaBigWun wrote: »

"ObamaCare" is a term used alot in the media. Could anyone sum it up in 10 words or less?

More tax to be paid, only by another name

Cookie_Monster

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

More tax to be paid, only by another name

Can't really call it tax when it's going straight to insurance (free from anti-trust laws) and pharma companies (free from trade laws).

Lenin Skynard

I was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness six years ago. I was a student at the time and just finished my degree. I was given a medical card and put into the public system. Absolutely perfect, first class treatment and the follow up treatment is still perfect to this day.

Seaneh

IvaBigWun wrote: »

"ObamaCare" is a term used alot in the media. Could anyone sum it up in 10 words or less?

Makes health insurance compulsory but at the same time stops health care providers from discriminating against previously existing conditions.

Makes healthcare more affordable and more accessible to the vast majority of American citizens.

And has the added benefit of annoying the gobsh*te Libertards.

Seaneh

Lenin Skynard wrote: »

I was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness six years ago. I was a student at the time and just finished my degree. I was given a medical card and put into the public system. Absolutely perfect, first class treatment and the follow up treatment is still perfect to this day.

Just over 4 years ago I had a life threatening illness. Required several weeks of inpatient treatment in a neurology ward as well as treatment from the hospital's ENT department and investigative care from several other departments, MRI scans several times per week as well as 2 surgeries which lasted, between them, over 35 hours.

My medical card application was fast tracked, as was my illness benefit application. I received, what I consider, world class treatment from Prof. Niall Tubridy of the Neurology dept, Mr. John Russell of the ENT dept and their respective teams in St. Vincent's University Hospital.
I spent over a month as an in patient there, mostly confined to one small ward (for health reasons) and in all my time there I never one felt like I wasn't being looked after or cared for.

I left St. Vincent's and spent the next year and a bit in after care with Occupational Therapists, Audiologists, Physical Therapists, Neurologist and ENT out patients clinics, again I received world class care.

I am 29 now and owe the fact that I am alive and well to the care that I received from Prof. Tubridy, Mr. Russell and everyone else who cared for me in St. Vincent's 4 years ago.

I still receive amazing out patient care, I still have 2-3 MRI's per year, 2-3 neurology clinic appointments per year and an ENT clinic appointment ever 4-6 months, depending on the need as well as being fitted with a hearing aid and my well being is continually monitored by two independent teams from the same hospital.

The Irish medical system has failings, to say otherwise would be stupid.

But people like myself and the person I quoted are proof that it also has some massive positives as well.

Galwayguy35

Healthy as a bull thank God so no health insurance for me, couldn't afford it anyway.

Pay €112 a month Lifetime cover as part of the mortgage so that will have to do if I have to stay in the sick house.

ruthloss

LadyLabyrinth wrote: »

Was chatting health insurance to a german girl at work today and she said it's mandatory for everyone. You either pay in a government health care scheme or if you really afford it you go private - but that the public scheme can be better. Thought it quite interesting that health insurance be mandatory like car insurance, I never realised any countries did that.

I pay both here, I don't get the option of opting out of the National Health even though I never use it.

No Pants

My missus has me insured through her work plan. I don't know how much it costs, but she won't take me off it.

jester77

I'm in Germany and have private health insurance. Works out a lot cheaper for me then public. I've one of the cheapest and most basic plan going, costs around €500 a month and I pay the first €800 of medical costs per annum before I can claim. Suits me as the only medical costs I have are either dentist checkups or vaccinations.

Hoop66

I have no health insurance, as my boss is a cúnt.

My wife doesn't either, and was recently diagnosed with breat cancer. The people - consultants, nurses etc - at St Vincents could not have been better, there has been hardly any waiting and the care has been brilliant.

I have anecdotal evidence that there is no better place for the type of care needed - wife's aunt had breast cancer twice, did her first one through Vincents and it was great, did the 2 one through Mater private and was dissapointed.

If I get sick, I'll just die. That'll show 'em.

kaimera

vhi & medi card (both as a result of a RTA)

Penny Dreadful

jester77 wrote: »

I'm in Germany and have private health insurance. Works out a lot cheaper for me then public. I've one of the cheapest and most basic plan going, costs around €500 a month and I pay the first €800 of medical costs per annum before I can claim. Suits me as the only medical costs I have are either dentist checkups or vaccinations.

Each month! Really?? That seems very very steep.

My brother lived in Germany for a while and he had to pay the obligatory health tax too. It annoyed him as he is very healthy and had little or no cause to use it. However, to get something from it and the money he was spending he did get his teeth checked over, a filling replaced, eyes checked and new glasses and frames all included. He wouldn't have gotten that here.

I am with Laya and on the Health Manager suite and pay €106 per month. My husband is with Aviva and pays around the same. Thankfully we rarely need to avail of it other than for physio claims but there have been a few occasions when an MRI or CT scan was required. Going public would have taken too long (IMO anyway) and with the private cover there was a list of places and choice of times that suited us and worked around our working day. The public service wouldn't have been as flexible.

My parents have private health cover too and pay quite a lot for it but they wouldn't be without it for anything. My Dad had surgery on his back this year for a very complicated problem and thankfully the insurance meant he got seen and operated on quickly by a superb world renowned surgeon. Dad is like a brand new man since.
That surgeon doesn't do a public list (his choice and so he isn't paid that the tax payer so its fine) so my Dad would be waiting for years to see someone who wasn't as good if he didn't have health cover.

Overall I have to say, expensive as it is, it would take a lot for me to give up my health insurance.

Irish Stones

Should anybody of you be interested.
Here in Italy the public health is quite good, close to perfection in the northern area, close to a disaster in the south.
Anyway, I live in the north(west) and I have no complaints.
We pay an amount taken directly from our salary and it should about 600 euro per year. For this money we have access to every kind of therapy in public hospitals and clinics, and in private hospitals and clinics that have a convention with the national health system.
The "family doctor", the one that you call GP, is free of charge everytime you need them.
Analyses and tests are subject to a fee partly covered by the national health system. A blood test is about 40 euro.
Medicines are divided in two categories, "A" and "C". The first one includes medicines considered necessary for the life of the patient or necessary for chronical disease, like diabetes. These medicines are totally paid by the NHS provided that your GP gave you a prescription. The second category includes medicines not necessary for the life of the patient, and totally paid by the patient.

We can also have a private insurance, but it's quite an exception rather than the normality.

rainbow kirby

Work pays for medical and dental insurance, NHS to fall back on. Pretty happy with that tbh.

aaabbbb

I've Aviva company care excess I think (paid by mummy :P ) and a medical card from when I wasn't living at home

keithclancy

Deleted User wrote: »

Usual rubbish. The HSE costs as much per capita as the NHS. I'm sure anyone who's had to wait over 3 years (and still counting) for an appointment for a debilitating and deteriorating condition would take the NHS over what we have here right now.

NHS ain't great either:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24130684

kevin65

I moved from VHI to GloHealth and saved over €100 a month. I know all premiums will go up again so when renewal comes round I'll be shopping round for the best deal for me and the family. Health insurance is expensive but I can't afford to be without it.

Calibos

Can't afford health insurance anymore...

IvaBigWun

IvaBigWun wrote: »

"ObamaCare" is a term used alot in the media. Could anyone sum it up in 10 words or less?

More expensive, compulsory, unpopular

http://www.gallup.com/poll/165863/americans-approval-healthcare-law-declines.aspx

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304527504579171710423780446

Misleading
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/08/us/politics/obama-apologizes-to-americans-dropped-by-insurers.html?_r=0

President Obama bowed Thursday night to mounting criticism that he had misled the American people about the health care law, apologizing to people who were forced off their health insurance plans by the Affordable Care Act despite “assurances from me.”

& unemployment/reduced working hours
http://nypost.com/2012/11/18/the-49ers/

elefant

I'm in Holland. I pay around 125 a month for insurance (medical and dental)- everyone who is working is obliged to pay for insurance.

Thankfully, I've never needed to use it.

keithclancy

elefant wrote: »

I'm in Holland. I pay around 125 a month for insurance (medical and dental)- everyone who is working is obliged to pay for insurance.

Thankfully, I've never needed to use it.

I live in Holland and have German Health Insurance as I work in Germany.

Pay 8% of my Gross wage.

Fizman

Hoop66 wrote: »

I have no health insurance, as my boss is a cúnt.

Does he not pay you or something?

I work for a small IT company and have done so for 7 years. I've never received insurance through work, as it isn't very financially viable for my boss. I don't consider him to be a c-unit though. I came off my families policy about 3 years ago and just pay privately myself now.

Seaneh

Seaneh wrote: »

Makes health insurance compulsory but at the same time stops health care providers from discriminating against previously existing conditions.

Makes healthcare more affordable and more accessible to the vast majority of American citizens.

How's that working for the people cut off? And how is it making it more affordable? Promises were made and anyone who questioned them were shouted down.

And has the added benefit of annoying the gobsh*te Libertards.

...Can you say, "agenda"?

keithclancy wrote: »

NHS ain't great either:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24130684

Yet they still manage to kick our system in the nads even with that drain on their budget. Amazing.

mud_guard

this government interference in the market is nothing but a sop to the elderly , a carrot if you will for the stick they used last month when they lost their phone allowance and the medical card threshold was lowered

health insurance should be more expensive for the elderly just as motor insurance is more expensive for young men

political stunt designed to mend fences with one of the most powerful voting blocs in the country

IvaBigWun

Irish Stones wrote: »

Should anybody of you be interested.
Here in Italy the public health is quite good, close to perfection in the northern area, close to a disaster in the south.
Anyway, I live in the north(west) and I have no complaints.
We pay an amount taken directly from our salary and it should about 600 euro per year. For this money we have access to every kind of therapy in public hospitals and clinics, and in private hospitals and clinics that have a convention with the national health system.
The "family doctor", the one that you call GP, is free of charge everytime you need them.
Analyses and tests are subject to a fee partly covered by the national health system. A blood test is about 40 euro.
Medicines are divided in two categories, "A" and "C". The first one includes medicines considered necessary for the life of the patient or necessary for chronical disease, like diabetes. These medicines are totally paid by the NHS provided that your GP gave you a prescription. The second category includes medicines not necessary for the life of the patient, and totally paid by the patient.

We can also have a private insurance, but it's quite an exception rather than the normality.

Think I need to move to north Italy

keithclancy

Deleted User wrote: »

Yet they still manage to kick our system in the nads even with that drain on their budget. Amazing.

I wouldn't say that either

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-24446450

Up until now dozens of Welsh men have had to go to England for less invasive prostate cancer operations and pay up to £15,000 for the privilege.

gazzer

keithclancy wrote: »

I live in Holland and have German Health Insurance as I work in Germany.

Pay 8% of my Gross wage.

Would that be the equivalent of PRSI here in Ireland though? Once upon a time wasnt that meant to be for doctor/dentist expenses?

chakotha

Currently this:

SV wrote: »

Absolutely none, it's a waste of money unless you're at a risk of bad health.

with a hope that I'll pre-empt this:

Filibuster wrote: »

Live and learn...

As soon as I start going downhill I'll join :-)

IvaBigWun

VHI seems to be leading the poll as far as private cover goes. Are they the best value for money or are people just with them out of habit?