Do you have health insurance?

lcstress2012

I’m 25 and have been paying €60 a month for the past year with VHI. That’s €720 a year!! Not gonna bother renewing in the new year as I never used it and in my mind it’s money being wasted away that I could save. 🀷*♂️

Samuel T. Cogley

Money wasted until you need it. Personally saved me thousands in private care I probably wouldn't have got in the public system.

Raconteuse

lcstress2012 wrote: »

I’m 25 and have been paying €60 a month for the past year with VHI. That’s €720 a year!! Not gonna bother renewing in the new year as I never used it and in my mind it’s money being wasted away

Missing the point there.

And €720 a year is very little.

That said, you're not in the age group that's likely to get ill. You never know what could happen though.

FFVII

Kinda need it now.

Or wait and they'll hope you die before they have to see you.

Bastairds.

Lovely system we are developing.

I can't afford mine. Never had it and family history hikes it into the thousands.

Mad_maxx

Had it from 2001 to 2014, then like an idiot let it go

PoisonIvyBelle

No. The main reason is I became ill before I got it, so I'd have to wait the standard 5 year clearance time for pre-existing conditions for it to be of any use to me. I usually pay full private because waiting times on the public system are mental and I've spent over 10k in the past few years. I'm self-employed and can claim 20% of my medical fees each year, but I'm pretty sure I'd have been better off if I'd had insurance.

I'd think twice before cancelling it, OP, you never know what life will throw your way.

FFVII

I do think sometimes what I'd do if someone I love suffered due to this system.

Sometimes I'm amazed how some in that HSE/government are not ended by loved ones.

Dunno how it hasn't happened already.

A lot of deaths over the years.

iamwhoiam

I am so glad I kept ours going through thick and thin . Today I walked into Affidea clinic and got seen and prescription given and home within and hour . I think I would have curled up and died in a crowded A and E today

Pacifico

Yes. Pay over 200 a month...wouldn’t wish public on my worst enemy

Esse85

Pacifico wrote: »

Yes. Pay over 200 a month...wouldn’t wish public on my worst enemy

I presume that's for a family?

PsychoPete

Have it for the last 3 years and thankfully I haven't needed to use it

I have a cousin in senior management in a hospital she use to be a nurse, got talking to her over her Christmas and I asked her is it really getting worse or its being magnified by social media.

Her answer was 85% of people have a very good experience of the HSE however it use to be 90% and she would not be without health insurance of some sort.

Stheno

I get it for myself and oh through work before that I paid for it myself

molly09

iamwhoiam wrote: »

I am so glad I kept ours going through thick and thin . Today I walked into Affidea clinic and got seen and prescription given and home within and hour . I think I would have curled up and died in a crowded A and E today

I only heard of the affidea clinic recently, can I ask di you know anything about their MRI scans. Are they are as reputable as the beacon and Blackrock clinic?

RMAOK

I have health insurance organised through my place of work. While I'd rarely need to use it (thankfully), I would rather have it and not use it than need it and not have it. (If you know what I mean).

Muppet Man

15000 euro for a one night cardiac procedure in the Maher private that I waited just 3 weeks for.

I paid 150 euro. I’ll be keeping my VHI thx.

Muppet man

iamwhoiam

molly09 wrote: »

I only heard of the affidea clinic recently, can I ask di you know anything about their MRI scans. Are they are as reputable as the beacon and Blackrock clinic?

I had an MRI there last year , covered by Laya . They gave me the CD to bring to a consultant and he was quite happy with the quality and the reading and reporting

Darc19

If you are healthy and no major issues in your family, then maybe take a break for a few years.

But definitely get back as you go into your 30's

However if you play any sport that could give an injury or if there's any cancer or heart issues in the family, look at keeping it but at a very basic level

meeeeh

Daughter needed her tonsils taken out. It took a few months between gp referral and procedure. I was told public waiting list just to be seen by consultant is 2 years. That was not urgent but I know of someone waiting over a year for heart bypass while my father in law had done in couple of months time. It's less essential for younger people but I wouldn't be without it.

kravmaga

lcstress2012 wrote: »

I’m 25 and have been paying €60 a month for the past year with VHI. That’s €720 a year!! Not gonna bother renewing in the new year as I never used it and in my mind it’s money being wasted away that I could save. ��*♂️

I pay €880 per year with VHI and its money well spent imo.

I had skin cancer 4 yrs ago and went private,early detection , underwent 3 surgeries by a plastic surgeon,follow up checks with Dermatologist

If I was to wait on the public system without VHI my surgeon advised my cancer would have spread via my lymph nodes and invaded into my body, I probably would have been dead at this stage.

So imo private health care is crucial

Foweva Awone

Yep and I make good use of it ... my hospital bills over the past couple of years would be well into the 6 digits.

Dothebartman

Yep and will never go about it again, first company i joined after college paid for it.

About two years into the job i was getting terrible pains in my intestines, bloody diahrea.

Went to the doctor and a week later had an endoscopy and was confirmed with crohns disease.

If i didn't have health insurance i reckon i would have been waiting over a year or more for the endoscopy.

I'll never go with about it again and in fairness to anyone wanting to get it, its not bloody expensive.

kravmaga

kravmaga wrote: »

I pay €880 per year with VHI and its money well spent imo.

I had skin cancer 4 yrs ago and went private,early detection , underwent 3 surgeries by a plastic surgeon,follow up checks with Dermatologist

If I was to wait on the public system without VHI my surgeon advised my cancer would have spread via my lymph nodes and invaded into my body, I probably would have been dead at this stage.

So imo private health care is crucial

This kind of thing can upset people the cancer services in the public system is excellent its one of the things the HSE dose well, someone will not get lesser treatment just because they are in the public system that is an important point.

ardinn

I suffer badly with kidney stones - one a year usually, not diet related simply they way I am before people start yapping about what I should do.

Anyway - spent 10 days in hospital one time, have had 4 operations, loads of 4-8 days in wards, got them blasted, ct's x-rays, etc etc etc every time I go in.

I have no insurance.

It costs me €100 each time I present at a&e or call an ambulance. Thats it - never been billed for another cent.

I have no idea why anyone would pay insurance, public is fine, like really really good imo.

Edit - I should also add I get seen every 4 months and have an x-ray and ultrasound, and meet with a consultant. not a penny.

Seamai

I've had it for over 20 years, for the first 10 I had no reason to ever use it, however once I turned 40 this changed, visits to doctors, consultants and hospitals became more commonplace.
I switched plans a few years back and can claim a lot more. A couple of years ago I developed a pilonidal sinus, which I ignored hoping it would go away after hearing loads of scary post op stories but when I finally decided to do something about it, I was in hospital and sorted within a couple of days, I've no doubt that had I not insurance I would have had to wait possibly years as the condition as uncomfortable and awkward as it is, isn't life threatening.
I can see why someone in their 20's might see it as a waste of money but should certainly be thinking about it by the mid 30's. I've had plenty of other issues where I was able to be seen for very quickly, without insurance given the state of the health service I shudder to think how long I'd have had to wait.

iamwhoiam

ardinn wrote: »

I suffer badly with kidney stones - one a year usually, not diet related simply they way I am before people start yapping about what I should do.

Anyway - spent 10 days in hospital one time, have had 4 operations, loads of 4-8 days in wards, got them blasted, ct's x-rays, etc etc etc every time I go in.

I have no insurance.

It costs me €100 each time I present at a&e or call an ambulance. Thats it - never been billed for another cent.

I have no idea why anyone would pay insurance, public is fine, like really really good imo.

The HSE is fine for acute problems and works well when you are in acute need
Where is falls down badly is for chronic conditions awaiting to be seen by a consultant . There are people waiting years for cateract repairs or hip replacement etc , living in chronic pain for years . Its is by no means fine

kravmaga

mariaalice wrote: »

This kind of thing can upset people the cancer services in the public system is excellent its one of the things the HSE dose well, someone will not get lesser treatment just because they are in the public system that is an important point.

I understand what your saying, however I believe my consultant Dr O' Sullivan as my cancer was very aggressive. So Im not being a drama queen , ive been through both systems, public vrs private, I know what Im talking about

Its my story and my opinion okay, Im not slating the public system, Im pointing out that private health insurance assisted me.

Tilikum17

lcstress2012 wrote: »

I’m 25 and have been paying €60 a month for the past year with VHI. That’s €720 a year!! Not gonna bother renewing in the new year as I never used it and in my mind it’s money being wasted away that I could save. 🀷*♂️

Always had health insurance through work. Was never sick until my late 20’s then I was in and out of hospital for over a year. One stay was 12k alone.

Health insurance is something I’ll never go without.

Stheno

ardinn wrote: »

I suffer badly with kidney stones - one a year usually, not diet related simply they way I am before people start yapping about what I should do.

Anyway - spent 10 days in hospital one time, have had 4 operations, loads of 4-8 days in wards, got them blasted, ct's x-rays, etc etc etc every time I go in.

I have no insurance.

It costs me €100 each time I present at a&e or call an ambulance. Thats it - never been billed for another cent.

I have no idea why anyone would pay insurance, public is fine, like really really good imo.

Edit - I should also add I get seen every 4 months and have an x-ray and ultrasound, and meet with a consultant. not a penny.

I've had kidney stones twice. Once 20 years ago the HSE misdiagnosed appendicitis and took a week to correct

Second time I spent 10 hours in a and e and walked out after passing it and went to my gp who cleared.

Private all the way for me tbh

FFVII

What is the best way to shop for health insurance?

iamwhoiam

FFVII wrote: »

What is the best way to shop for health insurance?

https://www.hia.ie/health-insurance-comparison

Bigdig69

Raconteuse wrote: »

Missing the point there.

And €720 a year is very little.

That said, you're not in the age group that's likely to get ill. You never know what could happen though.

If you let it go now while young, it will cost you more to rejoin when older and more likey to need it.

rob316

I have a pretty basic plan on laya but I wouldn't dream of not paying it. If you need to see a consultant for something potentially serious publically you will probably be dead or close before you get seen to. I wouldn't put my life or my families in the hands of the HSE.

It's a ****ing farce though we pay taxes and ye tstill can't be provided with a decent healthcare system or state subsidized health insurance.

andekwarhola

Think it's 4000 plus a year for four of us but thankfully my employer pays it.

Masala

Look at it the same way as Car Insurance. You can pay car 8nsurance for years and get no benefit. When you have a crash ... it pays out.

Same principle....

rob316

ardinn wrote: »

I suffer badly with kidney stones - one a year usually, not diet related simply they way I am before people start yapping about what I should do.

Anyway - spent 10 days in hospital one time, have had 4 operations, loads of 4-8 days in wards, got them blasted, ct's x-rays, etc etc etc every time I go in.

I have no insurance.

It costs me €100 each time I present at a&e or call an ambulance. Thats it - never been billed for another cent.

I have no idea why anyone would pay insurance, public is fine, like really really good imo.

Edit - I should also add I get seen every 4 months and have an x-ray and ultrasound, and meet with a consultant. not a penny.

Your talking about presenting at a&e with a problem that doesn't really require a consultant, we can all do that and I know the HSE is fine for that. But say you found a lump on your ball sack tomorrow, good luck you won't receive such swift care as a consultant will be needed and you will have to go on the public out patient waiting list.

Canyon86

I only got health insurance since Jan 2019, I never had it previously

Anyways in April I was rushed to hospital with my appendix which were about the burst

Very glad to have private cover when I was in a private room in no time

Masala

rob316 wrote: »

Your talking about presenting at a&e with a problem that doesn't really require a consultant, we can all do that and I know the HSE is fine for that. But say you found a lump on your ball sack tomorrow, good luck you won't receive such swift care as a consultant will be needed and you will have to go on the public out patient waiting list.

..... agree with the above. Or would u like to see your child suffer for months while u wait for a bed for him/her..??? When that happens.. you will pay every penny you have to jump the queue!!

Bigdig69

Seamai wrote: »

I've had it for over 20 years, for the first 10 I had no reason to ever use it, however once I turned 40 this changed, visits to doctors, consultants and hospitals became more commonplace.
I switched plans a few years back and can claim a lot more. A couple of years ago I developed a pilonidal sinus, which I ignored hoping it would go away after hearing loads of scary post op stories but when I finally decided to do something about it, I was in hospital and sorted within a couple of days, I've no doubt that had I not insurance I would have had to wait possibly years as the condition as uncomfortable and awkward as it is, isn't life threatening.
I can see why someone in their 20's might see it as a waste of money but should certainly be thinking about it by the mid 30's. I've had plenty of other issues where I was able to be seen for very quickly, without insurance given the state of the health service I shudder to think how long I'd have had to wait.

In this case you are having a serious, very painful medical emergency which will be prioritised by a&e. I have had kidney stones and been treated promptly in public hospitals too. But there are many other things that can go wrong which will result in you being added to long waiting lists. With health insurance you can often be treated.
quickly. As the public health system currently stands I will try very hard to keep my health insurance.

Jurgen The German

Paying about €2500 a year for myself, wife and two kids on vhi. Have had no major need for it but when called upon it has delivered, certainly when it comes to wait lists for one of the kids.

Better Than Christ

Nope. If I had kids, I probably would. Not for myself though. If anything were to 'happen' to me, it's no great practical loss to anyone, so I'm happy to take my chances.

del roy

mariaalice wrote: »

This kind of thing can upset people the cancer services in the public system is excellent its one of the things the HSE dose well, someone will not get lesser treatment just because they are in the public system that is an important point.

you would think so but its true, was told to report to Hospital on Sunday evening for a monday morning operation by consultant, St James, nurse on duty told me there were no beds available, approx 6.00pm sunday evening, went back home rang my consultant, told him the story "no beds anywhere in Hospital".


Rang me back five minutes later "eh your private go back down there is a bed for you now.
Went back down, same nurse brings me to a private ward and I had the operation next morning.


I must say it was a bit on an eye openner for me.

Atlantic Dawn

Muppet Man wrote: »

15000 euro for a one night cardiac procedure in the Maher private that I waited just 3 weeks for.

I paid 150 euro. I’ll be keeping my VHI thx.

Muppet man

Out of interest medical procedure and care aside is the room/bed setup all premium materials and nice TV with decent channels, your own phone etc? Often wondered with the private setup is it similar to a luxury hotel stay :pac:

X111111111111

Don't pay it on principle alone. I can well afford it but not going to play my part on turning our health service to sh1t.

ILoveYourVibes

X111111111111 wrote: »

Don't pay it on principle alone. I can well afford it but not going to play my part on turning our health service to sh1t.

that makes no sense ...you would helping take the pressure off the health service.

EllieB

ardinn wrote: »

I suffer badly with kidney stones - one a year usually, not diet related simply they way I am before people start yapping about what I should do.

Anyway - spent 10 days in hospital one time, have had 4 operations, loads of 4-8 days in wards, got them blasted, ct's x-rays, etc etc etc every time I go in.

I have no insurance.

It costs me €100 each time I present at a&e or call an ambulance. Thats it - never been billed for another cent.

I have no idea why anyone would pay insurance, public is fine, like really really good imo.

Edit - I should also add I get seen every 4 months and have an x-ray and ultrasound, and meet with a consultant. not a penny.

Isn’t there an €80 per night charge for public patients - capped at €800?

It’s great that you don’t feel you need insurance because you’re seen promptly for your issue. But as others have said, you could be 18+ months waiting for a colonoscopy or an MRI for a different issue. Months that could be the difference between life and death.

I had my gallbladder removed when I was 19 weeks pregnant and couldn’t fault the care I received as a public patient.
I do have Laya Healthcare, but went public for maternity as I was in no way tempted to pay an extra €3500 just for the pleasure of having the same doc at each appointment (unless she happened to be on holiday), a very slim chance of a private room and the same doc to deliver baby (again providing she wasn’t off on annual leave or attending another birth). You pay the consultant fees regardless.

If push came to shove and I had to make cutbacks, the health insurance would be the very last thing I’d get rid of.

ILoveYourVibes

EllieB wrote: »

Isn’t there an €80 per night charge for public patients - capped at €800?

.

Yep ....so effectively they are not public patients and we don't actually have a public health service. Its private.

But obviously you could be made broke by hospital stay so ..its better to have insurance.

McCrack

iamwhoiam wrote: »

I am so glad I kept ours going through thick and thin . Today I walked into Affidea clinic and got seen and prescription given and home within and hour . I think I would have curled up and died in a crowded A and E today

Lol

Eggs For Dinner

X111111111111 wrote: »

Don't pay it on principle alone. I can well afford it but not going to play my part on turning our health service to sh1t.

Well my last visit to hospital has come in for in excess of 100k. I've always had health insurance and will never let it go. Consultant told me the public waiting period was 3 years and if I had to wait 1 year, there would be no point, there was nothing he could do for me.

Our health service should be better, but I'll forego principles to look after myself

hawkelady

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Out of interest medical procedure and care aside is the room/bed setup all premium materials and nice TV with decent channels, your own phone etc? Often wondered with the private setup is it similar to a luxury hotel stay :pac:

The rooms in the beacon are as big as some apartments !! 42 inch flat screen with sky sports and movies and a full menu .... it is luxury

Burty330

iamwhoiam wrote: »

I am so glad I kept ours going through thick and thin . Today I walked into Affidea clinic and got seen and prescription given and home within and hour . I think I would have curled up and died in a crowded A and E today

Who goes to A&E for a prescription? You only to A&E if a piece of your body is hanging off.

I can go to a new walk-in doctor and leave with a prescription with 40mins.. No health insurance required.

I know all about public not being insured. Its not as bad as its made out to be. Unless you need a knee or hip operation, then there's years of waiting , but there are ways around that too without having insurance.