Medical card with Private Health Insurance?

GeneralC

Hi,

Quick background check; I have a full medical card because I have a heart condition. I see a cardiologist twice per year and get the regular cardiology tests such as Echo etc..

I am considering getting private health insurance as some of the waiting lists in the public sector are a joke! Are you allowed to have both a medical card and a private health insurance plan? Is there any significant advantages to taking it out?

Also, who are the best insurers now in this area?

Thanks for your help
All the best,

Cushie Butterfield

GeneralC wrote: »

Are you allowed to have both a medical card and a private health insurance plan?

Yes. The only real difference you'll see (apart from possibly a shorter wait to see a consultant on a private basis) is that if you avail of private medical care in a public hospital that your medical card is used to cover the statutory govt charges element of your accomodation charges & your private medical insurance policy will cover the rest (subject to your particular coverage), which basically means that the insurance co will potentially save paying out €750 per year on your policy. If you avail of private medical care in a private or high-tech hospital the medical card will be of no consequence.

Owryan

Will private health insurance cover a pretty existing condition straight away?. Thought they had exclusion periods for such cases.

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Owryan wrote: »

Will private health insurance cover a pretty existing condition straight away?. Thought they had exclusion periods for such cases.

Doesnt generally cover pre exisitng conditions.
I've a medical card and insurance.
Was recently diagnosed with a condition needing surgery in the public system. The timeframe for surgery was in the next few months but my insurance let's me get it done in a private hospital nearer home with the same surgeon.

Kristopherus

Cushie Butterfield wrote: »

Yes. The only real difference you'll see (apart from possibly a shorter wait to see a consultant on a private basis) is that if you avail of private medical care in a public hospital that your medical card is used to cover the statutory govt charges element of your accomodation charges & your private medical insurance policy will cover the rest (subject to your particular coverage), which basically means that the insurance co will potentially save paying out €750 per year on your policy. If you avail of private medical care in a private or high-tech hospital the medical card will be of no consequence.

I'm pretty sure that is not correct. You are no longer allowed to cherry-pick your treatment by going public in the hospital and having a private consultant.When you are being admitted to a public hospital, you will be asked if you have private health insurance. If you have, then your insurance provider will be charged for you as a private patient in that hospital. Mary Harney. bless her, put an end to that scam.

Fred Swanson

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Cushie Butterfield

Kristopherus wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that is not correct. You are no longer allowed to cherry-pick your treatment by going public in the hospital and having a private consultant.When you are being admitted to a public hospital, you will be asked if you have private health insurance. If you have, then your insurance provider will be charged for you as a private patient in that hospital. Mary Harney. bless her, put an end to that scam.

I wasn't referring to an emergency admission through A&E which is the only time a patient wouldn't be admitted from a waiting list.

Otherwise, of course you can attend a consultant on either a private or public basis. Everyone is entitled to free public healthcare in the public healthcare system. If someone attends a consultant as a private patient they go on the private waiting list. If they attend as a public patient they go on the public waiting list. If they are brought by ambulance to hospital as an emergency case the main priority is to be treated asap - cherry picking doesn't really come into the equation especially in life threatening cases!

GeneralC

So, apart from the waiting list and the room in a public hospital, is that the only two advantages for me going for private health insurance?

LostArt

There's no longer a private and public waiting list in public hospitals, if you're attending a public hospital it's the same waiting list

uck51js9zml2yt

LostArt wrote: »

There's no longer a private and public waiting list in public hospitals, if you're attending a public hospital it's the same waiting list

Not quiet true

I was to see a cardiologist. The public appointment was 8 weeks. Private was 6 weeks. For the sake of 2 weeks and not paying for visits or tests I went public.

GeneralC

So , I found out today I need open heart surgery for the third time. I am a 27 year old male.

The only option I have on the public service is invasive open heart surgery, and I would rather not go through that again. I would prefer to have keyhole surgery, which is available in the Mater private and Beacon. Do I have any options here to get it done in one of those? Will an insurance company go near me now?

Advice/help would be appreciated!

Fred Swanson

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GeneralC

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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I can't

Can you pay for such a surgery? my mum is considering selling her home, if we have to.

Fred Swanson

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GeneralC

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Any idea what the best approach would be to take regarding this matter?

Del2005

GeneralC wrote: »

Any idea what the best approach would be to take regarding this matter?

Ask the consultant how much it'd cost to pay yourself.

uck51js9zml2yt

GeneralC wrote: »

Any idea what the best approach would be to take regarding this matter?

Your consultant would advise you on the costs ,or call his secretary.
Im needing heart surgery and would be done in the next 2-3 months whether I was public or private. The urgency of the case dictates the waiting time.
Having insurance let's me choose the mater private over a public hospital.