do you have health cover?

whelan1

just off the phone reducing my vhi bill , do most people have health cover?

Miller80

whelan1 wrote: »

just off the phone reducing my vhi bill , do most people have health cover?

Yea it's basic plan with laya

Mulumpy

whelan1 wrote: »

just off the phone reducing my vhi bill , do most people have health cover?

Have Aviva here. Getting crazy expensive. Too afraid to get rid all the same when i see how much it has been used by family members over the years. Will be giving them a call to reduce it myself.

solerina

No, myself and the OH talked about it and decided its just too expensive, and neither of us has needed to use it in years so we gave it up about 2 years ago.

whelan1

solerina wrote: »

No, myself and the OH talked about it and decided its just too expensive, and neither of us has needed to use it in years so we gave it up about 2 years ago.

its all what if's, oh's family had alot of health problems so have to have cover, afraid to be without it , got premium down by 600 euro for the year

mahoney_j

Have it with laya but it's getting very hard to justify the cost.we have daughter on high plan and myself and herself on bog standard.touchwood were all healthy and rarely visit doctor ,hospital so hope it stays that way.id like not to have it and spend money elsewhere but both our families have been touched by cancer and Alzheimer's in recent years and I dread to think how the hospital bills would be paid if we didn't .

lakill Farm

I ditched my VHI 3 years ago.

If there is something wrong with you like cancer and your getting threated wheather you paid 10k for health insurance or hadn't 2cent to rub together you get the same looking after. I think the worry is getting into get diagnosed and starting the treatment.

I think the key is a top class family doctor. He needs to act on a patients worry straight away.

jomoloney

lakill Farm wrote: »

I ditched my VHI 3 years ago.

If there is something wrong with you like cancer and your getting threated wheather you paid 10k for health insurance or hadn't 2cent to rub together you get the same looking after. I think the worry is getting into get diagnosed and starting the treatment.

I think the key is a top class family doctor. He needs to act on a patients worry straight away.

as somebody who has personally see both sides of this , I disagree with you,

Unfortunalety the health service is just another business , at the end of the day it's all about €€€€€€'s

to answer op yes we have health cover since we got married

health care and pl insurance would be the last things I'd scrap if things got tough

Conmaicne Mara

Nope, can't afford it.

hugo29

Without a doubt yes, it's the last thing I would ditch, whatever about myself I would want the kids to get the best possible treatment

rancher

jomoloney wrote: »

as somebody who has personally see both sides of this , I disagree with you,

Unfortunalety the health service is just another business , at the end of the day it's all about €€€€€€'s

to answer op yes we have health cover since we got married

health care and pl insurance would be the last things I'd scrap if things got tough

About fifteen years ago we decided not to renew three months before it expired, two of us had to go to hospital in those three month, one was serious, (and expensive).......talk about tempting fate, so we just pay now

delaval

jomoloney wrote: »

as somebody who has personally see both sides of this , I disagree with you,

Unfortunalety the health service is just another business , at the end of the day it's all about €€€€€€'s

to answer op yes we have health cover since we got married

health care and pl insurance would be the last things I'd scrap if things got tough

+1

RobertKK

No.

Under 40 and my health insurance policy is to eat the right foods - loads of fruit and vegetables, porridge, chicken, fish and then red meat now and again.
Low alcohol usage, staying fit and not carrying any extra weight.

Over 40 I might consider it but then the government plan to have everyone paying health insurance.
Our family has a good health history so it less of a risk in my opinion.

vinne

RobertKK wrote: »

No.

Under 40 and my health insurance policy is to eat the right foods - loads of fruit and vegetables, porridge, chicken, fish and then red meat now and again.
Low alcohol usage, staying fit and not carrying any extra weight.

Over 40 I might consider it but then the government plan to have everyone paying health insurance.
Our family has a good health history so it less of a risk in my opinion.

Sounds like ," famous last words"

mf240

RobertKK wrote: »

No.

Under 40 and my health insurance policy is to eat the right foods - loads of fruit and vegetables, porridge, chicken, fish and then red meat now and again.
Low alcohol usage, staying fit and not carrying any extra weight.

Over 40 I might consider it but then the government plan to have everyone paying health insurance.
Our family has a good health history so it less of a risk in my opinion.

What if your rushing from the gym to get to the fruit and veg shop before it closes and run out in front of the odlums lorry and get mangled.

Timmaay

When my folks turfed me off their one several years ago I never bothered taking out myown. As Robert said, I think I'd be happy enough without it until 40ish. Always a risk however, I know how quick the likes of 15/20k can be blown on a serous illness (thats the amount I might save in not having health care insurance before I'm 40), but I'll take my chances for now.

A fairly sobering fact I heard recently is that 1 in 3 of us will get a serious illness between 40 and 60!

whitebriar

Currently costs me 840 a year for me,the wife pays her own.
Covers me semi private in vincents and immediate access to specialists.

1 friesan bullock today in Carnew got over 1500 euro paying 2 yrs of it.

No insurance is Foolish.

visatorro

Can you put cost of health insurance against your tax bill?

12gauge dave

My father got a heart attack less than a year ago and spent a week in intensive care including putting 2 stints in and he had no insurance or medical card and it only cost him 700 and something euro I csnt remember exact amount but was 7something.
He has since been unable to work the job he had for 30plus years prior to heart attack and has attained a medical card, his medication now consisting of tablets mostly are in excess of 200euro a month which the medical card covers financially hes struggling big time but rest at the moment is the doctors orders and some light work in near future if he decides to return to employment

Thats just an example of the costs of a heart attack. Medical insurance in my eyes is more for quality of treatment than anything and also how quick ur seen for operations etc but im no expert on this subject but im a 25 year old male and dont see the need untill mid thirties at the least for medical insurance personally

jlm29

If you go into a&e with something so serious that you can't be discharged home, you don't need health insurance. You'll be treated on the spot (surgical emergencies, heart attacks, that nature if things). If you go into your gp/a&e with symptoms that are very troublesome to you, but not "urgent"- you need health insurance for access to faster healthcare. If you need a hip/knee replacement, an ultrasound to determine you have gallstones, a respiratory review because you're short of breath and can't work as hard, or as fast as you used to/need to, then you need health insurance. You need it because you're self employed, and you can't afford to be unable to work for any longer than is necessary.
Just my opinion- it's what I told my oh when he considered dropping it.

And as someone who works in healthcare, your kids should be the first ones you drop from your insurance, if you have to- firstly they're less likely to get sick, and secondly kids tend to get faster access anyhow!

RobertKK

mf240 wrote: »

What if your rushing from the gym to get to the fruit and veg shop before it closes and run out in front of the odlums lorry and get mangled.

I probably would need my life insurance then to take over :P

td5man

lakill Farm wrote: »

I ditched my VHI 3 years ago.

If there is something wrong with you like cancer and your getting threated wheather you paid 10k for health insurance or hadn't 2cent to rub together you get the same looking after. I think the worry is getting into get diagnosed and starting the treatment.

I think the key is a top class family doctor. He needs to act on a patients worry straight away.

+1 good gp is half the battle.

bbam

Very timely thread... have been pricing round this week...
We have had a decent high level plan up to now, €3k a year..

We've both used it down the years and I saw one year €30k plus going through it..

OH is in the healthcare business, her take in it is...
In the public health system,

• If you turn up and your actually dieing you'll be seen straight away and for the most part get top level care, whatever can be done will be done..
• If you turn up with symptoms and need investigation it can be a very long drawn out process, if your unlucky and it was something bad it may well be too far gone by the time you've waited for the investigations and there is nothing can be done - cash your chips out at the door please.

The big thing with a private health policy is to ensure you can access a consultant early when symptoms show, that way you're getting an early diagnosis and giving yourself a fighting chance..

I may as well say it my biggest fear is cancer and if its not got early then your seriously reducing your chances..

We have family histories on both sides of aggressive cancers in young people so its belts and braces.. I'm already on heart medication and then I have regular treatment on my spine too..

I will be reducing our policy for sure... but not going without cover

RobertKK

vinne wrote: »

Sounds like ," famous last words"

Fact is most younger people are dropping out of having health insurance, the insurance companies needs these people given they mostly waste their money paying for something they don't need, but who are instead subsidising those who are older who might need it.

We pay our taxes and there shouldn't be a two tier health service, the fact people buy health insurance insures this continues.

More and more people will drop out, health insurance will get to a level where it is no longer sustainable, unless everyone has to buy health insurance.

You have some people who pay for health insurance, then feed their body a load of crap whether with bad food, smoking or too much alcohol or drugs which will eventually affect their health.

You need more than health insurance, which is the sticky plaster after the event.
Prevention better than cure

jomoloney

td5man wrote: »

+1 good gp is half the battle.

true but it's the other half that saves lives


I had a MRI and EEG done within 48 hous of not feeling well last April, if I was public how long would I wait ?

Spent 11 days in Hosp, total cost to VHI approx €15000

maxxuumman

OH and myself on a good plan here aswell as the kids. Insurance of any kind is one thing we don't cut corners on.
I dont know the way it works, but i assume that if you were struck down with a long term illness, no farmer would qualify for a medical card, due to the value of the assets. Not a gamble I'd like to take.

A young buddy of mine cut out his health insurance and serious illness over a few years back, to help pay for a big farm project. 12 months later had major kidney failure. Tough to watch a guy dealing with dialysis, travelling to Dublin every few weeks, kidney transplant, etc, while trying to manage a herd of cows.

whelan1

those of ye with kids do ye have health cover? i wanted to drop the maternity cover on my plan and under law you can not do that but surely if you dont want it you shouldnt have to pay for it

Marooned75

Have it would not be without it

reilig

We are with Laya.

Never had to use it myself, but the Mrs has claimed almost 30k of hospital treatment and surgery in the last 4 years.

Have a friend who always said that he didn't need health insurance - a few years ago he had a brain tumor and needed specialised treatment. We had to fundraise almost 50k for his treatment abroad that health insurance would have covered.

reilig

whelan1 wrote: »

those of ye with kids do ye have health cover? i wanted to drop the maternity cover on my plan and under law you can not do that but surely if you dont want it you shouldnt have to pay for it

Do it with glohealth - you can choose or leave out options and I think maternity is one of them.

bbam

whelan1 wrote: »

those of ye with kids do ye have health cover? i wanted to drop the maternity cover on my plan and under law you can not do that but surely if you dont want it you shouldnt have to pay for it

reilig wrote: »

Do it with glohealth - you can choose or leave out options and I think maternity is one of them.

must check that out, never thought of trying to drop it.... no need for it here

whelan1

bbam wrote: »

must check that out, never thought of trying to drop it.... no need for it here

so i wonder was vh* person telling porkies that i cant drop it, wonder is it an age thing, have 14 days from renewal if i want to change my mind, will ring glo- health

RobertKK

whelan1 wrote: »

so i wonder was vh* person telling porkies that i cant drop it, wonder is it an age thing, have 14 days from renewal if i want to change my mind, will ring glo- health

It was on I think Liveline where an elderly couple couldn't get rid of their maternity cover.
Even when one is past the menopause they are still stuck with having maternity cover.
I blame those over 60's who got treatment and had children...

whelan1

RobertKK wrote: »

It was on I think Liveline where an elderly couple couldn't get rid of their maternity cover.
Even when one is past the menopause they are still stuck with having maternity cover.
I blame those over 60's who got treatment and had children...

was that just vhi?

RobertKK

From citizens information, the maximum one has to pay for a public bed in a 12 month period is a maximum €750 or €75 a day upto the maximum.

In-patient charges in public hospitals

If you are in a public ward under the care of a consultant for treatment and you remain overnight, you are receiving in-patient services.
If you are admitted to the hospital under the care of a consultant where you do not require the use of a bed overnight and your discharge from hospital is planned, you are receiving day services.
The charge for in-patient/day services is €75 per day up to a maximum of €750 in any 12 consecutive months. The charge does not apply to the following groups:

• Medical card holders
• People receiving treatment for prescribed infectious diseases
• People who are subject to "long stay" charges
• Children up to 6 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.

moy83

RobertKK wrote: »

It was on I think Liveline where an elderly couple couldn't get rid of their maternity cover.
Even when one is past the menopause they are still stuck with having maternity cover.
I blame those over 60's who got treatment and had children...

I wonder would a hyserectomy be classed as maternity treatment ? Some older ladies would need that kind of treatment and I think its handled by the maternity departments . Maybe thats why some of them wont let it be dropped

RobertKK

whelan1 wrote: »

was that just vhi?

Yes with VHI. Joe loved it that couple had maternity provisions when they were in their 70s :pac:

whelan1

moy83 wrote: »

I wonder would a hyserectomy be classed as maternity treatment ? Some older ladies would need that kind of treatment and I think its handled by the maternity departments . Maybe thats why some of them wont let it be dropped

was thinking the same, my mother had it done and had major complications after , they had paid health insurance from the year dot... they are with aviva and physio etc is covered thank god, moved from vhi 5 years ago

reilig

RobertKK wrote: »

From citizens information, the maximum one has to pay for a public bed in a 12 month period is a maximum €750 or €75 a day upto the maximum.

750 is easy to come by. However, you could be dying and be told that you have to wait 12 months for treatment. That's where health insurance kicks in - no waiting. If you're sick, you just go in and get it sorted. No waiting!

caitrionaanne

VHI werent lying - maternity is on every policy whether your lead to believe it or not. Glo offer packages to enhance it.
http://www.hia.ie/regulation/minimum-benefit/

freedominacup

whelan1 wrote: »

so i wonder was vh* person telling porkies that i cant drop it, wonder is it an age thing, have 14 days from renewal if i want to change my mind, will ring glo- health

Ya jammy b***H. Go onto hia.ie and look at the corporate plans. They'll be the ones with odd letters and numbers as their plan identifier. All the corporates are up for renewal at this time of year and they have big discounts on top of an already much lower price from now until the turn of the year. Mrs freedom changed jobs a few months ago and our (corporate) plan was cheaper and had better cover than the corporate plan where she is now working. The insurers will never offer you one of these plans but cannot refuse to give you this cover at the same price as their corporate clients once you ask for the particular plan that suit you best.

The hia website allows you to compare covers and prices very simply, drop down menu where each policy is compared line by line. The discounts they are talking about are so good that tbh I'm considering taking the hit and changing our renewal time to this time of the year from April.

For us health insurance comes before the mortgage. No matter how tough things got and we've had a few very lean years here in the past while the health insurance was always paid. I saw it plain as day a few years ago when our second lad was small. We ended up in the peds dept in Waterford in a bit of a panic one night this time of year. There was another young couple there ahead of us with a sick child as well. We had a letter from GP so went straight to the pediatric dept without going to A&E. After about 20mins of "the doctor will be along in a few" I asked a nurse about getting the little fella checked in as we knew he wasn't coming home that night and I thought if he was in the system it might speed things up a bit. I mentioned that we had health insurance and asked about the possibility of getting him a private room. Big change in gears. She sent me to reception to check himin and when I came back after about 5 mins the little fella was in a treatment room with 2 doctors and probably 3 nurses. When we were bringing him down to his room about half an hour later the other couple were still sitting where they were when we came in. I felt sorry for them but glad we had cover and the need for cover was never up for debate here since.

jlm29

moy83 wrote: »

I wonder would a hyserectomy be classed as maternity treatment ? Some older ladies would need that kind of treatment and I think its handled by the maternity departments . Maybe thats why some of them wont let it be dropped

It would be gynae for that kind of thing. Usually hospitals will have two separate depts for gynae and mat stuff, though it's the same doctors. I'd imagine that health insurers would know enough to separate them!

darragh_haven

I have a corporate plan from laya...... I wonder would they cover the snip.

nashmach

Corporate plan through work with VHI.

In any case having seen large family bills here too, it would be the last thing I would ditch.

freedominacup

What are ye're plans called and have they got good cover? They might give people something to reference against.

whelan1

there is a 26 waiting period with vhi if i want to move back up to the plan i was on, that was one plus plan, the plan i am going to be on is plan 250, that means we have to pay an excess of 250 on any claim, there is also a 150 plan where you pay 150 of any claim

nashmach

freedominacup wrote: »

What are ye're plans called and have they got good cover? They might give people something to reference against.

90% sure, Corporate Plan B Plus.

darragh_haven

nashmach wrote: »

90% sure, Corporate Plan B Plus.

Im on the exact same one. As said before, you have to ask for corporate plans as they will not be offered to you by the person on the phone.

Viewtodiefor

freedominacup wrote: »

Ya jammy b***H. Go onto hia.ie and look at the corporate plans. They'll be the ones with odd letters and numbers as their plan identifier. All the corporates are up for renewal at this time of year and they have big discounts on top of an already much lower price from now until the turn of the year. Mrs freedom changed jobs a few months ago and our (corporate) plan was cheaper and had better cover than the corporate plan where she is now working. The insurers will never offer you one of these plans but cannot refuse to give you this cover at the same price as their corporate clients once you ask for the particular plan that suit you best.

The hia website allows you to compare covers and prices very simply, drop down menu where each policy is compared line by line. The discounts they are talking about are so good that tbh I'm considering taking the hit and changing our renewal time to this time of the year from April.

For us health insurance comes before the mortgage. No matter how tough things got and we've had a few very lean years here in the past while the health insurance was always paid. I saw it plain as day a few years ago when our second lad was small. We ended up in the peds dept in Waterford in a bit of a panic one night this time of year. There was another young couple there ahead of us with a sick child as well. We had a letter from GP so went straight to the pediatric dept without going to A&E. After about 20mins of "the doctor will be along in a few" I asked a nurse about getting the little fella checked in as we knew he wasn't coming home that night and I thought if he was in the system it might speed things up a bit. I mentioned that we had health insurance and asked about the possibility of getting him a private room. Big change in gears. She sent me to reception to check himin and when I came back after about 5 mins the little fella was in a treatment room with 2 doctors and probably 3 nurses. When we were bringing him down to his room about half an hour later the other couple were still sitting where they were when we came in. I felt sorry for them but glad we had cover and the need for cover was never up for debate here since.

Freedom what plan ya thinking of moving to ? Am on Aviva level 2 excess at present any idea what corporates would compare to this? Had a look there but it's a jungle out there!

tabby aspreme

Have health insurance with Vhi at the moment I think its one of the Teachers plans, not a Teacher but they can't refuse you a plan. The last few years at renewal they seem to be pushing plans that cover GP costs but with less hospital cover which I think is madness as I can pay 50€ for doctor but wouldn't like to be paying for hospital stay.
Am I right in thinking that kids only need basic cover as there are no private hospitals for children , one of mine had her appendix out a while ago and she got a private room in childrens ward, the operation cost VHI 750 and the room was €900 / night for five nights, operation sounded reasonable but room rate a rob

freedominacup

Viewtodiefor wrote: »

Freedom what plan ya thinking of moving to ? Am on Aviva level 2 excess at present any idea what corporates would compare to this? Had a look there but it's a jungle out there!

I'm not sure TBH just had a look at hia website yesterday and premiums have rocketed since we re-newed. We're all paying the bones of €330ea/year now to keep vhi open and breaking Irish and eu financial regulations all the time, the sort of activity that Sean Quinn was allegedly at when they decided to nail him for not playing nice.