Health Insurance?

chases0102

Today, I was just about to buy health insurance for the first time. I'm under 30 (just), have a fairly secure job, and it is something that I never had, but a lot of my friends had.

However, I held fire on it just at the end. Is it all a bit of a cod?

Having asked the rep on the other end of the phone to explain what benefits I would get for entry level, 550-odd euro, it seemed rather flat. Certainly didn't seem worth the annual price.

Added to this, is the fact that 18 months ago I had to have day surgery on a benign growth that, if left alone, would have caused serious issues. Without insurance, it all took place within 6 weeks....no big long waiting lists, or massive costs (just had to pay for bed during day).

jimdublin15

You said they quoted €550,- for entry level (No sure what is covered) but if I just checked on Laya site and as example under the quick quote option for a single person, everyday standard is €449.10 again not sure what is covered but it's worth shopping around to see the costs and what is covered.

I have a comprehensive Private health policy that covers me + 3 dependents. Total costs was just under 2.5 K but I get this paid by my employer. Thinking back my last 3 employers all paid my private healthcare. Last year I got +- 1350 euro back in costs (GP Bills/Glasses and 1 A&E charge) I also essentially skipped 2 waiting lists to see specialists so I did have benefit from the cover.
Oh I also called the 24/7 GP line a few times.

So I did get a benefit from it but than again it does not cost me either.

I think however it really depends from person to person, things like age , dependents, health situation, and what are you getting covered by a policy. Your under 30 so that new loading charge at least does not apply yet as far as I understand it. ?http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/health_insurance/private_health_insurance.html

SEPT 23 1989

It all boils down to the type of room you would like to die in

Dozen Wicked Words

You'll end up on a trolley/bed in a corridor whatever cover you have.

Jim Bob Scratcher

Personally I wouldn't be bothered with health insurance until I'm at least in my very late 30's or early 40's.

Superhorse

It's a complete scam. The adds they run on the TV are to make people feel guilty about not having it and are in really poor taste. I'd rather die young than give the fookers a cent.

Gael23

Health insurance is next to food for me. That one thing no matter what I'll always find a way of hanging on to.

Spanish Eyes

I have been paying Private Health Insurance all my working life.

I could afford it, so did it.

However, now that I am older and bolder, as another poster said it's through A+E you go, and no special treatment there, and that is all in public hospitals.

I'm keeping it up however because if at all possible I want a private room. I would hate to inflict my massive snoring on anyone in a shared ward. I am so considerate!

chases0102

All valid points!

I guess I'm looking at this purely from a value point of view - with the age I am, and no kids, I don't think the basic level of cover for approx 500 euro is worth it for what is covered.

Absolutely, before the loading charge comes in, I would imagine it
I'd have it at that stage.

Atlantic Dawn

Gael23 wrote: »

Health insurance is next to food for me. That one thing no matter what I'll always find a way of hanging on to.

Have you ever had to actually use it, if so did it cover what you expected?

allthedoyles

You get sweet FA for around the €600 mark

If you can afford it long term ,then buy now , because its in the future you will want it .

There are thousands after cancelling their health insurance over the last number of years .

I know a guy paid €1000 a year for 20 years and in 2009 he cancelled at 55 years old .

It was money down the drain because he seldom used it and now in his 60's he could do with it.

Gael23

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

I have been paying Private Health Insurance all my working life.

I could afford it, so did it.

However, now that I am older and bolder, as another poster said it's through A+E you go, and no special treatment there, and that is all in public hospitals.

I'm keeping it up however because if at all possible I want a private room. I would hate to inflict my massive snoring on anyone in a shared ward. I am so considerate!

I have it for outpatient things like scans and consultant visits and so on. I have some medical issues which means I get a medical card but I had need for a simple ultrasound scan a while back which would have been a 3 month wait but I got it done in 2 weeks in a private clinic.
It also means on the thankfully infrequent occasion I do require an admission, it can be in a private hospital which is clean and not overcrowded.

sullivlo

chases0102 wrote: »

Today, I was just about to buy health insurance for the first time. I'm under 30 (just), have a fairly secure job, and it is something that I never had, but a lot of my friends had.

However, I held fire on it just at the end. Is it all a bit of a cod?

Having asked the rep on the other end of the phone to explain what benefits I would get for entry level, 550-odd euro, it seemed rather flat. Certainly didn't seem worth the annual price.

Added to this, is the fact that 18 months ago I had to have day surgery on a benign growth that, if left alone, would have caused serious issues. Without insurance, it all took place within 6 weeks....no big long waiting lists, or massive costs (just had to pay for bed during day).

I've been unlucky enough to need a few "routine" procedures. Nothing life threatening, but really affected the quality of life.

Public waiting lists are a joke. Pure & simple. I was told 18+ months for a routine appointment publically. I went private & had an operation to sort the issue within weeks.

In emergencies, health insurance ain't worth a damn, but for day to day, it's really worth it.

Stheno

sullivlo wrote: »

I've been unlucky enough to need a few "routine" procedures. Nothing life threatening, but really affected the quality of life.

Public waiting lists are a joke. Pure & simple. I was told 18+ months for a routine appointment publically. I went private & had an operation to sort the issue within weeks.

In emergencies, health insurance ain't worth a damn, but for day to day, it's really worth it.

Agree 100% have had the same experience.

My Oh is currently waiting for an appointment with a dermatologist, if it comes back as being in six months time we will just go private and claim off our insurance.

A couple of years ago I'd a severe injury, and insurance covered a couple of thousand euro worth of treatment

Gael23

Stheno wrote: »

Agree 100% have had the same experience.

My Oh is currently waiting for an appointment with a dermatologist, if it comes back as being in six months time we will just go private and claim off our insurance.

A couple of years ago I'd a severe injury, and insurance covered a couple of thousand euro worth of treatment

Where are you based? I would say your looking about a year to be honest. I go to a Dermatologist in Dublin and I was waiting 3 months for a private appointment.

Stheno

Gael23 wrote: »

Where are you based? I would say your looking about a year to be honest. I go to a Dermatologist in Dublin and I was waiting 3 months for a private appointment.

Dublin We are fully prepared to go private if we need to

Spanish Eyes

Make sure to really research your insurance plan.

Some want outpatients, scans and so on covered.

Some want orthopaedics/cardiac etc. covered.

Some want consultant fees covered.

Some want private room.

Some want GP/dental/etc.

Some want everything!

I went for excess on private consultant fee, but all tests radiology etc covered. Plus cardiology, ortho, etc. (important when you get a bit older!)

I want a private room ALWAYS but the policy was cheaper because I opted to pay €75 a night extra for a private room if I was admitted. OK. I may never need that private room, so why pay through the nose every year for that! And then, heaven forbid, when I am in said private room, well the money I saved on the premium pays for that! Policy covers semi private anyway.

It's a tough call, and you really never know until you are in the system.

Gael23

Stheno wrote: »

Dublin We are fully prepared to go private if we need to

I know its a year for any Dermatologist in Vincents, No idea about any other Dublin Hospital.

ulinbac

I use my health insurance a few times a year due to an injury.

The waiting list in public for my surgeons is between 1 and 3 years. I only wait between 1 and 5 weeks. I've had 7 minor procedures on my spine in 9 years. Average wait for procedure is 3 weeks from consultation.

I would never have seen the consultants I do without my health insurance, so it is worth every cent.

I was in hospital for 5 weeks before. Went to GP on day 1 with complaint, referred to A&E, moved to private hospital later that day. Bill was just shy of €20k, I had a double room, access to gym plus other facilities for my recovery. I did not pay a penny except for the GP.

You may not need it for 15 years but that one time something big happens you will be glad you do.

donegaLroad

If you are a Southern resident working in Northern Ireland, you are entitled to a NHS medical card (but spouse and children are not entitled).

smash

I looked a while ago at it, and VHI were looking for €1200 for what was realistically absolutely feck all cover.

None of them even offer a no claims discount. Bastards!

Azalea

smash wrote: »

I looked a while ago at it, and VHI were looking for €1200 for what was realistically absolutely feck all cover.

Yeah I took out health insurance first time last year and hadn't a clue so just went with VHI because of it being "the auld reliable" etc. Grand chunk of wedge every month for, yeah, basic stuff.
With the over-35 thing being brought in subsequently though, I did some research. Other providers seem to offer better deals, so will go elsewhere once my current policy ends.

smash

Azalea wrote: »

Yeah I took out health insurance first time last year and hadn't a clue so just went with VHI because of it being "the auld reliable" etc. Grand chunk of wedge every month for, yeah, basic stuff.
With the over-35 thing being brought in subsequently though, I did some research. Other providers seem to offer better deals, so will go elsewhere once my current policy ends.

Don't wait. You can switch at any time.

VHI are the reason health insurance is so high in this country. A consultant can send them an invoice for €15k for a routine procedure and they don't even question it. I remember an episode of primetime (I think it was primetime) and a guy produced his hospital bill that VHI had paid out for him. He never even saw the costs until they send him the receipt, but they paid out over 40k for a bypass operation and 3 night hospital stay without question.

BlaasForRafa

Health insurance is the biggest scam in this country next to irish water.

Azalea

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Health insurance is the biggest scam in this country next to irish water.

How are either a scam? I'm not saying they're wonderful but it's easy to just throw out the "scam" allegation - has to be some substance to it though.

Health insurance is not cheap here but it's actually way more expensive in other countries. Private healthcare is crazy expensive. And health insurance here offers overseas cover towards colossal costs in other countries should they arise.

Rocket19

smash wrote: »

Don't wait. You can switch at any time.

VHI are the reason health insurance is so high in this country. A consultant can send them an invoice for €15k for a routine procedure and they don't even question it. I remember an episode of primetime (I think it was primetime) and a guy produced his hospital bill that VHI had paid out for him. He never even saw the costs until they send him the receipt, but they paid out over 40k for a bypass operation and 3 night hospital stay without question.

You can't cancel at any time because you pay for an annual policy. Well, you can, but you would have to pay the government levy (which the insurer pays to the government on your behalf, and makes up part of your premium).
If you cancel the policy mid year, you will be liable to pay the levy, which is approx €400 for one adult.

Also, this is blatantly not true about VHI paying anything/everything to consultants. VHI have a table of benefits (as do the other 3 insurers) agreed with the consultants for each and every procedure, and this is what is paid.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Rocket19

Stheno wrote: »

Dublin We are fully prepared to go private if we need to

Why would you not go privately if you have insurance? Claiming does not affect your premium.

Filmer Paradise

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Health insurance is the biggest scam in this country next to irish water.

Right. So tell me why I'm pissing against the wind shelling out 292.28Euros per month to cover myself the Missus & 2 kids?

I'd love to know how to cut this bill out of my life with no problems.

Tell me now!!!!!!!

smash

Rocket19 wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

Maybe now, but not always. It was Pat Kenny on Frontline that had the report I mentioned earlier. There was also a rep from Quinn insurance on it so it's a few years ago now. But the fact still stands that those payouts are why health insurance is so expensive now.

Permabear wrote: »

True. I live in the USA, and I pay health insurance for my nanny. She's 22, a non-smoker and very light drinker, with no pre-existing conditions, and the premiums are over $600 a month. People on this thread are complaining about paying less than that a year!

Ah but you don't have a public health system over there like the one we have here which leaves health insurance pretty much useless for most peopleBad the ROI is negligible.

Rocket19

smash wrote: »

Maybe now, but not always. It was Pat Kenny on Frontline that had the report I mentioned earlier. There was also a rep from Quinn insurance on it so it's a few years ago now. But the fact still stands that those payouts are why health insurance is so expensive now.

That's not why it's expensive.
It's expensive because of community rating, which means that anyone, regardless of age or state of health, can take out a policy and pay the exact same premium as someone young, fit, and healthy.
Because everyone pays the same, the young healthy people subsidise the old sick people.