costs if you end up in hospital with covid19

Dave Lillis

Hi,
I've a quick question, say you end up in hospital and go through the intensive care unit, all as a public patient, and then assuming you survive it all, what will the bill be at the end if you stay 2-3 weeks in the hospital ?

Jurgen Klopp

I think I remember reading somewhere before the max you can be charged for a hospital stay in Ireland in any 12 months period is circa €800?

NaiveMelodies

Jurgen Klopp wrote: »

I think I remember reading somewhere before the max you can be charged for a hospital stay in Ireland in any 12 months period is circa €800?

Correct. 10 days x 80.

owlbethere

I think Leo mentioned this in one of his earlier speeches. He said, the state will pay for the hospital treatment if you end up in hospital with Covid-19.

Honest to god, that in and off itself is like a lottery.

Mrs OBumble

Nothing in you have a medical card.

€800, if you've paid nothing in in-patient charges in the last 12 months.

€800 less the amount you've paid if you have paid some inpatient charges in the last 12 months.


Or less if it's covered by some sort of special Covid deal.

owlbethere

It's said that 80% who get this will have a mild dose to be treated at home. 20% will need to go to hospital and about 5% of them will need to go to ICU.

I'm following all the guidelines and hopefully I don't get this virus. If I do get the virus, I have plans in place to make it as comfortable as possible at home and hopefully I will be able to get through the dose at home.

Would it be a good idea to pack a bag for the hospital and to do so now that I am good and well, just in case I need to go to hospital?

What would I pack in a hospital bag?
Pyjamas
Clean socks and underwear? For how many days?
An activity I like, like reading or knitting

owlbethere

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Nothing in you have a medical card.

€800, if you've paid nothing in in-patient charges in the last 12 months.

€800 less the amount you've paid if you have paid some inpatient charges in the last 12 months.


Or less if it's covered by some sort of special Covid deal.

I'm nearly certain I heard leo mention something in one of his talks to the nation.

Wesser

We are so lucky. In the states they are charging people for covid testing. Means that people arent availing of it. Which is affecting the broader public health picture and increasing the spread.

uck51js9zml2yt

Cost is zero to you

Wibbs

In musical terms and in personal healthcare cost terms...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubc3o2KZA4w

Thank Christ.

Spanish Eyes

It's the last thing to worry about. You will be cared for very well.

Dave Lillis

thanks everyone

ShineOn7

owlbethere wrote: »

I'm following all the guidelines and hopefully I don't get this virus. If I do get the virus, I have plans in place to make it as comfortable as possible at home and hopefully I will be able to get through the dose at home.

Hi

Without giving away too many personal details, can I ask what are these plans?

ShineOn7

Kaya Rhythmic Molecule wrote: »

Cost is zero to you

Source?

careless sherpa

owlbethere wrote: »

It's said that 80% who get this will have a mild dose to be treated at home. 20% will need to go to hospital and about 5% of them will need to go to ICU.

I'm following all the guidelines and hopefully I don't get this virus. If I do get the virus, I have plans in place to make it as comfortable as possible at home and hopefully I will be able to get through the dose at home.

Would it be a good idea to pack a bag for the hospital and to do so now that I am good and well, just in case I need to go to hospital?

What would I pack in a hospital bag?
Pyjamas
Clean socks and underwear? For how many days?
An activity I like, like reading or knitting

Just bring the wool and knitting needles and make the own PJs, socks and underwear.

SweetCaliber

ShineOn7 wrote: »

Source?

States it in this arcticle:
https://www.thejournal.ie/private-hospitals-ireland-coronavirus-5056334-Mar2020/

Thoie

owlbethere wrote: »

It's said that 80% who get this will have a mild dose to be treated at home. 20% will need to go to hospital and about 5% of them will need to go to ICU.

I'm following all the guidelines and hopefully I don't get this virus. If I do get the virus, I have plans in place to make it as comfortable as possible at home and hopefully I will be able to get through the dose at home.

Would it be a good idea to pack a bag for the hospital and to do so now that I am good and well, just in case I need to go to hospital?

What would I pack in a hospital bag?
Pyjamas
Clean socks and underwear? For how many days?
An activity I like, like reading or knitting

While I think having a bag packed is a little OTT, having a list of what to pack ready is a good idea.


Given that you've no idea how long you'll be in for,or how sick you'll be, I'd put down 2 pairs of PJs (and someone to drop you in clean ones, launder the old ones). If you're very sick, most of the things below will be unnecessary.

A dressing gown and slippers.
You're unlikely to be wandering around outside your room, so just one set of clean underwear for coming home in.
Phone/tablet/kindle/watch chargers
A book of crosswords/puzzles/colouring books/knitting - some distraction that you can pick up and put down.
Pre load kindle with books, or a few physical books - don't rely on WiFi in hospital, your room may have bad signal, if there's any at all.
Toiletries - toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion
Hand cream
Box of tissues
Double bin bags for sending laundry home
Notebook and pen
Water bottle (if you're a bottle kind of person)
Headphones (noise cancelling, but also some that don't need batteries/charging)
List of all your current medications and dosages (print that out now)
List of your medical history (previous operations/treatments - print that out now)
Health insurance details (if any)
Small amount of cash (if they're still doing newspapers/sweets trolley)

lonestargirl

If you are in isolation you won't be leaving your room and no-one will be coming in except in PPE so the cash and water bottle won't be needed.

fryup

have the VHI made any statement about it?

Jinglejangle69

owlbethere wrote: »

I think Leo mentioned this in one of his earlier speeches. He said, the state will pay for the hospital treatment if you end up in hospital with Covid-19.

Honest to god, that in and off itself is like a lottery.

The government don't care about us.

They only care about money.

Or something to thst affect.

SuperRabbit

Jurgen Klopp wrote: »

I think I remember reading somewhere before the max you can be charged for a hospital stay in Ireland in any 12 months period is circa €800?

Unless you're a non-EU citizen, in which case there is no cap, right?

Wesser

Wesser wrote: »

We are so lucky. In the states they are charging people for covid testing. Means that people arent availing of it. Which is affecting the broader public health picture and increasing the spread.

That's what thinking socialism is a dirty word will get ya

SuperRabbit

SuperRabbit wrote: »

Unless you're a non-EU citizen, in which case there is no cap, right?

Correct but most non eu residents would have insurance

ILoveYourVibes

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Nothing in you have a medical card.

€800, if you've paid nothing in in-patient charges in the last 12 months.

€800 less the amount you've paid if you have paid some inpatient charges in the last 12 months.


Or less if it's covered by some sort of special Covid deal.

Anyone who thinks there is a fixed number is naive. How could you have a fixed number for every single patient?


It will depend on your treatment will you need a ventilator will you have to go into ICU etc.

fryup

poor b@stards in america without health insurance would have to fork out on average $35k in hospital costs

ILoveYourVibes

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Anyone who thinks there is a fixed number is naive. How could you have a fixed number for every single patient?


It will depend on your treatment will you need a ventilator will you have to go into ICU etc.

It won't depend on anything. As already stated, hospital treatment for covid 19 is free. Leo said “We must of course have equality of treatment, patients with this virus will be treated for free, and they’ll be treated as part of a single, national hospital service."

jlm29

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Anyone who thinks there is a fixed number is naive. How could you have a fixed number for every single patient?


It will depend on your treatment will you need a ventilator will you have to go into ICU etc.

The OP asked about the cost to them, not to the state. There is a fixed number for every public patient admitted to a public hosp, not covered by insurance or a medical card. It’s €80/night, up to a max of €800.

Edited to add- this is not for covid, it’s the usual scenario. Others have said there’s no charge for covid admissions.

fin12

fryup wrote: »

poor b@stards in america without health insurance would have to fork out on average $35k in hospital costs

Trump just said in press conference treatment for covid 19 is free. People who have no health care will be treated and not charged.

ILoveYourVibes

jlm29 wrote: »

The OP asked about the cost to them, not to the state. There is a fixed number for every public patient admitted to a public hosp, not covered by insurance or a medical card. It’s €80/night, up to a max of €800.

Edited to add- this is not for covid, it’s the usual scenario. Others have said there’s no charge for covid admissions.

No its not. I was charged more than that ..they added the cost of certain drugs and tests to the max of 800.

jlm29

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

No its not. I was charged more than that ..they added the cost of certain drugs and tests to the max of 800.

They’re not going to charge anyone extra for being ventilated as per your last post

splinter65

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

No its not. I was charged more than that ..they added the cost of certain drugs and tests to the max of 800.

In the public system the max is €800 in a rolling year. No matter what tests or treatment or no matter how many nights you were in. If you are alleging that you were charged more then that and you have evidence that you were charged and paid more then that (should be easy to prove, they sent you an invoice and if you’ve lost that invoice they can send you another) then you will be reimbursed.
If it’s a case that you demanded certain tests/drugs that the hospital didn’t think were appropriate then you did that at your own expense.

ILoveYourVibes

splinter65 wrote: »

In the public system the max is €800 in a rolling year. No matter what tests or treatment or no matter how many nights you were in. If you are alleging that you were charged more then that and you have evidence that you were charged and paid more then that (should be easy to prove, they sent you an invoice and if you’ve lost that invoice they can send you another) then you will be reimbursed.
If it’s a case that you demanded certain tests/drugs that the hospital didn’t think were appropriate then you did that at your own expense.

I was not reimbursed. It was charged to my health insurance.

I didn't want the MRI ..the medications etc. They did. They also made me stay longer than i wanted to.

Please stop calling me a liar.

I asked for nothing.

drake70

splinter65 wrote: »

In the public system the max is €800 in a rolling year. No matter what tests or treatment or no matter how many nights you were in. If you are alleging that you were charged more then that and you have evidence that you were charged and paid more then that (should be easy to prove, they sent you an invoice and if you’ve lost that invoice they can send you another) then you will be reimbursed.
If it’s a case that you demanded certain tests/drugs that the hospital didn’t think were appropriate then you did that at your own expense.

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

I was not reimbursed. It was charged to my health insurance.

I didn't want the MRI ..the medications etc. They did. They also made me stay longer than i wanted to.

Please stop calling me a liar.

I asked for nothing.

That is probably the reason you were charged more

ILoveYourVibes

drake70 wrote: »

That is probably the reason you were charged more

yup....and that charge in turn is at some point going to be passed on to me ..by my health insurance. Maybe not this year etc.

iamwhoiam

owlbethere wrote: »

It's said that 80% who get this will have a mild dose to be treated at home. 20% will need to go to hospital and about 5% of them will need to go to ICU.

I'm following all the guidelines and hopefully I don't get this virus. If I do get the virus, I have plans in place to make it as comfortable as possible at home and hopefully I will be able to get through the dose at home.

Would it be a good idea to pack a bag for the hospital and to do so now that I am good and well, just in case I need to go to hospital?

What would I pack in a hospital bag?
Pyjamas
Clean socks and underwear? For how many days?
An activity I like, like reading or knitting

I have made out a list for us both here
Name . DOB . Next of Kin
Medications
Allergies
Medical history

I have two cards ready with all the info so we don’t get all flustered and anxious if it needed

drake70

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

yup....and that charge in turn is at some point going to be passed on to me ..by my health insurance. Maybe not this year etc.

Possibly yes.

A work colleague had a short stay in hospital a few years ago and went through his insurance.

Hospital charged his insurance company for a private room even though he was on a standard six bed ward.

Ronaldinho

Wibbs wrote: »

In musical terms and in personal healthcare cost terms...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubc3o2KZA4w

Thank Christ.

Maybe a bit premature with that quip.

The Trump administration is expected to use a federal stimulus package to pay hospitals that treat uninsured people with the new coronavirus as long as they agree not to bill the patients or issue unexpected charges, according to two people familiar with the planning.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-administration-set-to-pay-hospitals-for-treating-uninsured-coronavirus-patients-2020-04-03

ILoveYourVibes

drake70 wrote: »

Possibly yes.

A work colleague had a short stay in hospital a few years ago and went through his insurance.

Hospital charged his insurance company for a private room even though he was on a standard six bed ward.

Yep. Although sometimes your insurance company will try and fight it for when the hospital takes the piss. But if they can't ...it eventually gets passed on to you.

Its funny how many people don't realize this or believe me. I know for certain then they don't handle their own health insurance or they would know. Perhaps an employer or family member does.


If they don't have insurance ..i would still be worried for their naivety.


I have noticed though ...anytime i have been to a hospital they always want me to stay overnight when its not really necessary ..i always go home. And if i have had to stay over ..they always want to keep me in way longer ...i mean they say i am fine i feel fine ..and i think they need the bed etc.

I think its part of the reason maybe they don't have beds. They don't want to get some patients out of them as quick as they say they do.

splinter65

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

I was not reimbursed. It was charged to my health insurance.

I didn't want the MRI ..the medications etc. They did. They also made me stay longer than i wanted to.

Please stop calling me a liar.

I asked for nothing.

Either you are a public patient or you are going via your health insurance. You cannot combine the two. You obviously utilized your health insurance. This conversation is about patients who just use the public system. If you have no medical card and you are admitted to hospital via the public system then the max cost to the patient in any rolling year is €800. It doesn’t matter how much treatment or how long or how extensive the treatment is . It’s €800. No one called you a liar.

chicken foot

Just to reiterate, you do not pay anything for the treatment and care you receive for a notifiable illness. My child was hospitalised for one of these illnessess (not covid) for two weeks. We did receive a bill for the max 10 days but when I called up to explain what we were in for, they wiped the charges. This covers any illness that has to be reported to the health authority such as Meningitis, Whooping Cough, TB etc.

Here is the link to the current list https://www.hpsc.ie/notifiablediseases/listofnotifiablediseases/List%20of%20Notifiable%20Diseases%20February%202020.pdf

splinter65

drake70 wrote: »

Possibly yes.

A work colleague had a short stay in hospital a few years ago and went through his insurance.

Hospital charged his insurance company for a private room even though he was on a standard six bed ward.

If you want to be treated as a public patient then you don’t mention on admission in your admission form that you have private health insurance.

ILoveYourVibes

splinter65 wrote: »

Either you are a public patient or you are going via your health insurance. You cannot combine the two. You obviously utilized your health insurance. This conversation is about patients who just use the public system. If you have no medical card and you are admitted to hospital via the public system then the max cost to the patient in any rolling year is €800. It doesn’t matter how much treatment or how long or how extensive the treatment is . It’s €800. No one called you a liar.

I was a public patient ....admitted in the public system


Why don't you think you can't use your health insurance in the public system?

You'll have to.

lozenges

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

I was a public patient ....admitted in the public system


Why don't you think you can't use your health insurance in the public system?

You'll have to.

You can use your health insurance in a public hospital, but you are then a private patient. Not a public one.
You can be admitted as a public patient if you don't use your health insurance. But if you use it, you're a private patient. So the rules covering public patients (800e cap) don't apply.

drake70

Article from nearly 4 years ago, so costs are not up to date. Apologies if it's behind the paywall:

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/personal-finance/should-you-declare-as-a-private-patient-when-attending-a-public-hospital-1.2733187

Excerpt:

It meant that a private patient in a public hospital would pay private patient rates (or at least their insurer would) ranging from €813 for a bed in a ward (capped at 180 nights) or €1,000 for a private room. Public patients on the other hand pay a nightly rate of €75 which is capped at €750 in any 12-month period.

Also, a response I received from VHI when I asked them about it:

18/04/2017:

Hi drake70 - Thanks for your query. Insurance Ireland are calling on Government to review the situation, believing that charging people through their insurance for a service they’ve already paid for amounts to double taxation. Currently private health insurance customers are being charged twice for their entitlement to be treated in a public hospital. Private Health Insurance Companies now face a bill for €800 per night, where their customers occupy a bed on a public ward. On behalf of the Private Health Insurance Companies , Insurance Ireland through the Health Insurance Council believes this is an unfair measure and one which should be addressed. Vhi support this.

Stheno

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

I was a public patient ....admitted in the public system


Why don't you think you can't use your health insurance in the public system?

You'll have to.

You're not a public patient if you use health insurance

ILoveYourVibes

lozenges wrote: »

You can use your health insurance in a public hospital, but you are then a private patient. Not a public one.
You can be admitted as a public patient if you don't use your health insurance. But if you use it, you're a private patient. So the rules covering public patients (800e cap) don't apply.

ah thank you...still dont trust them

Still though it must mean if they are running every test under the sun that i don't need and keeping me there longer....that bed is taken longer than it needs to be.

lozenges

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

ah thank you...still dont trust them

Still though it must mean if they are running every test under the sun that i don't need and keeping me there longer....that bed is taken longer than it needs to be.

You're right, it's one of the negatives of private health insurance. If there is a financial incentive to do a test then more tests are going to be ordered, some of which may or may not be strictly necessary.

fryup

fryup wrote: »

poor b@stards in america without health insurance would have to fork out on average $35k in hospital costs

fin12 wrote: »

Trump just said in press conference treatment for covid 19 is free. People who have no health care will be treated and not charged.

really?? wonder will he hold his word?