Do you have health insurance?

The Mighty Quinn

I don't, but trying to rectify that.

I'm mid 30s, can finally afford some cover I think, and there's a child in the house and one on the way that makes it seem to me I'm foolish not to have health cover going forward.

It's bamboozling trying to work out what policy I need, there are a dizzying array of them. Even the HIA comparison tool is confusing to me to use (any suggestions on "best" policy for two adults and two infants I'm all ears!).

Geuze

I am fairly good at comparing elec, telecoms, mortgages, etc., but the number of health insurance plans leaves me confused.

The tyranny of choice.

There are way too many plans.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Ask over on AAM.

_Brian

It’s expensive but wouldn’t be without it. Have no doubt that the early intervention it has allowed us has saved my OH life, hard to put a price on that.

Smee_Again

My work pays for mine so that removes the element of choice which I am grateful for.

And my fiance rang VHI and asked for the one with the best maternity cover because we knew we'd be trying soon so we picked that one.

BraveDonut

Also lucky enough that my company provides health insurance.

We were on holiday in Florida a few years ago when my wife got sick.

A visit to the emergency room, a load of tests and an overnight stay came in at about $20,000

Health insurance and travel insurance covered it.

So for me - "Don't leave home without it!"

jimmy86

The Mighty Quinn wrote: »

I don't, but trying to rectify that.

I'm mid 30s, can finally afford some cover I think, and there's a child in the house and one on the way that makes it seem to me I'm foolish not to have health cover going forward.

It's bamboozling trying to work out what policy I need, there are a dizzying array of them. Even the HIA comparison tool is confusing to me to use (any suggestions on "best" policy for two adults and two infants I'm all ears!).

Just a point to note, for every year you go above your 35th birthday they add a 2% loading to the premium.. so if you're 40 when you first take out a policy it is an extra 10% and will be for as long as you hold a policy. I think it's to encourage people to take out policies when they are younger.

No, it's a scam.

biko

Yes, quite expensive but has nice things like private room etc included.
Have had use of it on occasion through the years, nothing major thankfully.

Considering how much it has cost me and how much I have used it I'd say the insurance company still owes me an open heart surgery

The Mighty Quinn

Deleted User wrote: »

No, it's a scam.

I had a feeling that viewpoint would show up, hence inclusion in poll.
But... why is it a scam?

Yes, if you've an immediate emergency it's the same care with or without, but if you've something that requires intervention, the time difference between receiving that care publicly or privately is literally life saving at times.

I think if you are paying forever and not using it, you might feel like it's a waste. But it's that way with all insurances until you need them and then you're sorted.

Mr_Muffin

Get it through work for me and the family.

Not sure I would get it if I had to pay.

Antares35

Smee_Again wrote: »

My work pays for mine so that removes the element of choice which I am grateful for.

And my fiance rang VHI and asked for the one with the best maternity cover because we knew we'd be trying soon so we picked that one.

Out of curiosity, what are the benefits of the maternity cover? I've gone public on both and couldn't fault the care, just wondering what extra it provides.

Gregor Samsa

Company pays for it (I then pay BIK on that, so it's not free to me, but much cheaper than paying for it myself). I've hardly ever had to make a claim on it at all - barely ever even need to go to the GP. But I'm starting to come to the age that the chances are increasing that things are going to start going wrong, so I may end up needing it.

I don't have it for my kids. I would have if they had any conditions, but thankfully they're healthy. Some people in work seem to have their kids at the doctor every month. Mine have only been once or twice in their lives.

Thelonious Monk

My rockin' bod and clean diet is all the health insurance I need

Antares35

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

Company pays for it (I then pay BIK on that, so it's not free to me, but much cheaper than paying for it myself). I've hardly ever had to make a claim on it at all - barely ever even need to go to the GP. But I'm starting to come to the age that the chances are increasing that things are going to start going wrong, so I may end up needing it.

I don't have it for my kids. I would have if they had any conditions, but thankfully they're healthy. Some people in work seem to have their kids at the doctor every month. Mine have only been once or twice in their lives.

Kids have GP visit cards until they are six anyway

McGinniesta

F**ck no

Stevieluvsye

Have a family policy with Laya Works out €3.5k roughly per annum, but again comoany pay for it

Stan27

Most important thing i have tbh

jester77

No choice, mandatory where I live. Paying almost €650 a month for one of the more basic insurances, have to cover the first €600 or €800 of medical costs per year before I can use it. Not sure of the number as I've never gotten close to that. Children are extra on top, dental not covered.

o1s1n

I have had two surgeries over the last decade while on private healthcare - both instances I ended up in a public ward because the private ones were all full up.

Towards the end of the second stay they moved me to a semi private ward, but I was over the worst of it at that stage and getting ready to leave the hospital.

Cancelled my health insurance after that. Not worth it at all IMO.

BraveDonut

I saw a recent facebook post from a former colleague based in the US and he was alluding to a premium for him and his family of ~$25,000 per annum !!! :eek:

doublejobbing 2

Probably attended a doctor five times in the last 20 years and have never been hospitalised over night.

I am absolutely mystified as to why anybody would require it. 200 a month for the possibility you might need a private bed?

BraveDonut

Some people are mystified as with all insurance you don't need it until you need it

bb12

BraveDonut wrote: »

I saw a recent facebook post from a former colleague based in the US and he was alluding to a premium for him and his family of ~$25,000 per annum !!! :eek:

most workplaces in the US cover the cost of health insurance, it's usually part of the package.

over the past couple of years family members who don't have any insurance had several emergency visits to hospital including a stint in intensive care...all public. and they were all taken care of just the same as if they had had private insurance. so i don't see the point

rosmoke

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

Company pays for it (I then pay BIK on that, so it's not free to me, but much cheaper than paying for it myself). I've hardly ever had to make a claim on it at all - barely ever even need to go to the GP. But I'm starting to come to the age that the chances are increasing that things are going to start going wrong, so I may end up needing it.

I don't have it for my kids. I would have if they had any conditions, but thankfully they're healthy. Some people in work seem to have their kids at the doctor every month. Mine have only been once or twice in their lives.

And then there's a medical insurance tax relief of max 20% out of 1000e, so (200e tax relief) for an adult policy, so it's almost free.

I have it for all family paid by work, I wouldn't have paid for it myself, no chance.
Didn't even need to use it for maternity cover.

Gregor Samsa

doublejobbing 2 wrote: »

Probably attended a doctor five times in the last 20 years and have never been hospitalised over night.

I am absolutely mystified as to why anybody would require it. 200 a month for the possibility you might need a private bed?

It's the waiting lists. Go public, and you could be waiting months for an MRI or meeting with a Consultant (probably not the Consultant themselves, one of their junior staff).

Go private, you'll likely have the appointment next week, and you'll most likely be talking to the big cheese themselves.

At the very least, it'll get you diagnosed and onto treatment quicker. Most of the time, that'll mean less time being sick/worried/in pain. In some extreme circumstances, that could be the difference between life and death.

Once you are diagnosed, or if you have to go to A&E, there's very little difference between public and private. Some things like some of the more specialist cardiac treatments in the likes of the Blackrock clinic being the exception there.

Thelonious Monk

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

It's the waiting lists. Go public, and you could be waiting months for an MRI or meeting with a Consultant (probably not the Consultant themselves, one of their junior staff).

Go private, you'll likely have the appointment next week, and you'll most likely be talking to the big cheese themselves.

At the very least, it'll get you diagnosed and onto treatment quicker. Most of the time, that'll mean less time being sick/worried/in pain. In some extreme circumstances, that could be the difference between life and death.

Once you are diagnosed, or if you have to go to A&E, there's very little difference between public and private. Some things like some of the more specialist cardiac treatments in the likes of the Blackrock clinic being the exception there.

I had to see a specialist consultant in Blackrock a couple of years ago and had no health insurance, I just had to pay 200 quid or something to see him and then he referred me to tests in Beaumont quite soon after that.
Still not sure how it works, can you just pay a premium to see these guys when you need to instead of having private health insurance?

Antares35

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

It's the waiting lists. Go public, and you could be waiting months for an MRI or meeting with a Consultant (probably not the Consultant themselves, one of their junior staff).

Go private, you'll likely have the appointment next week, and you'll most likely be talking to the big cheese themselves.

At the very least, it'll get you diagnosed and onto treatment quicker. Most of the time, that'll mean less time being sick/worried/in pain. In some extreme circumstances, that could be the difference between life and death.

I suppose some people figure they will just pay privately to see consultants etc. if they have to. I had maybe three scares (all turned out to be minor issues) over the last say 2-3 years. I paid privately each time and was seen straight away. e.g. endoscopy in the Mater private was circa 800. So, several months health insurance? And I claimed 20% back. Then again, if anything had been diagnosed...

I am curious about people paying privately for maternity cover. I think we have one of the best antenatal care systems tbh. I can understand if it's a complicated pregnancy but if it's normal with no red flags, the only benefit seems to be seeing a consultant and having a chance of a private room. I opted for midwife led care in any event because it's better continuity of care and it's a very popular option. Most straightforward births you're out the next day, and a private room is completely pointless because the small hairless monkey keeps you awake anyway

Corruptedmorals

Yes, always have done. Early 30's. I work in public outpatients...it's really not worth having to rely on the public lists. My policy has done little claims here and there but was invaluable 10 years ago and paid out a lot.

Cornmarket are great to help you narrow it down. There are policies that focus on giving back portions of GP visits, consultant visits, physio that kind of thing and the policies that focus on inpatient claims. Some policies are not worth it and won't cover you in a regular private hospital so it's important to get help choosing a plan. If you start too low and then upgrade you will have to serve waiting periods anyway.

Of course you can pay private and see any consultant you want for a visit, the problem is it can be a lottery for further follow-up care. If you need a procedure done as a day case that could be under 1k easily. Not so much if it requires a several day stay. Other tests can be very expensive to pay for, or the consultant might have no option but to place you on a waiting list for the procedure in a public hospital.

mfceiling

doublejobbing 2 wrote: »

Probably attended a doctor five times in the last 20 years and have never been hospitalised over night.

I am absolutely mystified as to why anybody would require it. 200 a month for the possibility you might need a private bed?

I'll tell you why.

We have it through my wife's work. I had a savage hernia pain in 2019. Was told the wait for public treatment was anything over a year. I got a referral to see a specialist within a day and when he examined me he said "I can do that in the next couple of weeks"....that easy.

Just before Christmas my knee gave way walking down a flight of stairs. Went straight to the vhi clinic where they diagnosed the damage, put a brace on it and gave me a date for an MRI scan. Guess when the date was? 4 weeks, 4 months? No, 4 days.
Got the scan back with the damage and it was emailed to a specialist in the sports clinic in Santry. I went to see him 2 weeks ago and tomorrow morning he will operate on it and I'll be back out on my feet tomorrow evening.

A work colleague has damage to his nerves in his hand and was told there is between a 3 and 4 year waiting list for the operation. Alternatively he can pay for it....12 thousand.

crisco10

Provided for my family through work, still pay BIK which isn't insignificant.

Luckily, haven't had to use it in an Emergency. But have had plenty of occasion to get life affecting (but not essential) treatment. E.g. shoulder surgery to cure chronic pain from a sports injury. I was told that if I was a public patient, I'd basically never be treated since it was "only" sore.

Similar to mfceiling, the lead times on all the treatments were short.

Foweva Awone

Yep. Used to think it was a waste of money, but my parents always insisted we had to have health insurance. And would have always helped us out if we were having tough times and couldn't afford it ourselves.

Just as well ... If you were to have asked me 8 years ago whether I needed cover in case of mental illness, I would've said my mental health was completely fine, and I was unlikely to ever have any major mental health issues, certainly nothing that couldn't be handled by the GP if it did arise.

But then my mental health imploded with the birth of my son 7 years ago. And over the past 7 years, I've had maybe 20 admissions to psychiatric wards. Most were longer term stays (for weeks/months at a time) and, because I have health insurance, I've always been able to get in immediately in a crisis, and was always under the same team and consultant. You simply don't get that continuity of care in the public system, and you certainly don't get taken care of quickly enough when there's a crisis.

2020 was the first year where I had no inpatient admissions. I'm pretty stable these days, with the help of a lot of medication and talk therapy and DBT skills etc. I still see my consultant (the same one) every three months as an outpatient, and she knows me and my care plan inside out.

You can never know for sure it won't happen to you, whether it's a mental health issue or something physical. I'd almost certainly be dead years ago if I didn't have health insurance. Would never be without it now.

Gregor Samsa

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

Still not sure how it works, can you just pay a premium to see these guys when you need to instead of having private health insurance?

Yeah, if you want to go private, you can pay yourself. And if it's a one-off or a limited number of times you need to see them, it can work out cheaper to pay yourself than to pay the premium of health insurance.

It can start to add up, though, depending on what's wrong with you. That's where having HI becomes the cheaper option. In the end, like all non-mandatory insurance, it's all about mitigating against the risk of financial cost or loss. It's up to each person to determine the level of risk they face.

John Hutton

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

Yeah, if you want to go private, you can pay yourself. And if it's a one-off or a limited number of times you need to see them, it can work out cheaper to pay yourself than to pay the premium of health insurance.

It can start to add up, though, depending on what's wrong with you. That's where having HI becomes the cheaper option. In the end, like all non-mandatory insurance, it's all about mitigating against the risk of financial cost or loss. It's up to each person to determine the level of risk they face.

I would not be without heath insurance.

Health insurance is not to pay for the 200 quid fee to see the consultant. Its to pay for the tens of thousands for the procedure.

With regard to waiting lists, again it is largely to beat the waiting list for the procedure itself, rather than the waiting list to see the consultant (although this is important too).

Not much point paying hundreds to see a consultant for him to refer you back to public where there's a 2 year wait for the procedure. You might also find yourself just being referred back to a public consultant if you consultant of choice does not operate out of the public hospital, "publicly" for the procedure you need. For this reason many consultants will not see you privately unless you have private health insurance.

For those looking to get heath insurance or dealing with a renewal, look at HIA.ie first (govt comparison website) and also give them a ring they are really helpful and aren't salespeople.

John Hutton

Foweva Awone wrote: »

Yep. Used to think it was a waste of money, but my parents always insisted we had to have health insurance. And would have always helped us out if we were having tough times and couldn't afford it ourselves.

Just as well ... If you were to have asked me 8 years ago whether I needed cover in case of mental illness, I would've said my mental health was completely fine, and I was unlikely to ever have any major mental health issues, certainly nothing that couldn't be handled by the GP if it did arise.

But then my mental health imploded with the birth of my son 7 years ago. And over the past 7 years, I've had maybe 20 admissions to psychiatric wards. Most were longer term stays (for weeks/months at a time) and, because I have health insurance, I've always been able to get in immediately in a crisis, and was always under the same team and consultant. You simply don't get that continuity of care in the public system, and you certainly don't get taken care of quickly enough when there's a crisis.

2020 was the first year where I had no inpatient admissions. I'm pretty stable these days, with the help of a lot of medication and talk therapy and DBT skills etc. I still see my consultant (the same one) every three months as an outpatient, and she knows me and my care plan inside out.

You can never know for sure it won't happen to you, whether it's a mental health issue or something physical. I'd almost certainly be dead years ago if I didn't have health insurance. Would never be without it now.

Good point about mental health, glad you are doing well now.

There's no way you could have paid for that treatment yourself no matter what you saved, it is likely well over 100k over the years.

You just never know is my motto, like all insurance you hope to never need it!

Snotty

Until 2008 i had it and paid for it for the whole family, things got tight and cancelled it. Thankfully started work a few years ago and they pay for it for me and the family, they also provide 50% on everyday expenses, only last week claimed €225 back on root canal work for the wife.

Assuming i could afford it, i wouldn't be without it, one large treatment could mean bankruptcy if going private or risk death to the family member if going public and waiting, things like cancer wait times are huge and the cancer is only growing while waiting. Is that likely to happen, probably not but i'm not willing to take the chance.

o1s1n

o1s1n wrote: »

I have had two surgeries over the last decade while on private healthcare - both instances I ended up in a public ward because the private ones were all full up.

Towards the end of the second stay they moved me to a semi private ward, but I was over the worst of it at that stage and getting ready to leave the hospital.

Cancelled my health insurance after that. Not worth it at all IMO.

What was it for? For elective stuff in my experience I've been left on a list for 3-4 years then told "oh you're not on the list". With insurance it was see consultant in a week, get surgery within a month (only took that long because of Covid).

KrakityJones

I have a very basic plan, sometimes I wonder whether it's any better than just going public. Anyway I was debating ditching it this year to save money and someone pointed out this:

Think of how bad waiting lists are for some procedures on public. Now think about how many procedures were postponed, or how many people didn't want to go to doctors, hospitals etc due to covid. Can you imagine the waiting lists the next few years?

I'll be hanging onto the private insurance.

Antares35

KrakityJones wrote: »

I have a very basic plan, sometimes I wonder whether it's any better than just going public. Anyway I was debating ditching it this year to save money and someone pointed out this:

Think of how bad waiting lists are for some procedures on public. Now think about how many procedures were postponed, or how many people didn't want to go to doctors, hospitals etc due to covid. Can you imagine the waiting lists the next few years?

I'll be hanging onto the private insurance.

That's a good point actually, hadn't thought about the effect of cancellations etc.

biko

biko wrote: »

Yes, quite expensive but has nice things like private room etc included.
Have had use of it on occasion through the years, nothing major thankfully.

Considering how much it has cost me and how much I have used it I'd say the insurance company still owes me an open heart surgery

You get whatever room is available. I'm a veteran of using Beacon and it's just the luck of the draw what room is available when you need it. Last time I was in a pretty cramped room with two other people, little comfort to it at all. It's been great when I've been in the single bedded room, but that's been entirely the circumstances of my admissions.

jt69er

The Mighty Quinn wrote: »

I don't, but trying to rectify that.

I'm mid 30s, can finally afford some cover I think, and there's a child in the house and one on the way that makes it seem to me I'm foolish not to have health cover going forward.

It's bamboozling trying to work out what policy I need, there are a dizzying array of them. Even the HIA comparison tool is confusing to me to use (any suggestions on "best" policy for two adults and two infants I'm all ears!).

totalhealthcover.ie

Smee_Again

Antares35 wrote: »

Out of curiosity, what are the benefits of the maternity cover? I've gone public on both and couldn't fault the care, just wondering what extra it provides.

Not a whole lot for a “normal” birth.

We were told to start thinking about IVF due to a low egg count and the VHI contribution would have covered the premiums paid so far.

There were a few other tests covered too.

We’re pregnant now and are going semi private and the total fee is capped with VHI, it wouldn’t be otherwise. (I’d have gone public but then I’m cheap and not the one carrying the baby).

Thelonious Monk

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

I had to see a specialist consultant in Blackrock a couple of years ago and had no health insurance, I just had to pay 200 quid or something to see him and then he referred me to tests in Beaumont quite soon after that.
Still not sure how it works, can you just pay a premium to see these guys when you need to instead of having private health insurance?

Actually it is true that if you have something very serious and pay up the €2-300 to see someone privately in their rooms, and they think you have something serious and urgent they will refer you speedily to a public hospital for care. I brought a cousin, who was without insurance, to a private doctor to speed up diagnosis, as it turned out she had motor neurone disease. He noticed she had something else which he believed needed more prompt attention and made all the arrangements to have her admitted straight away to a public hospital. He said at the time that the very complex serious stuff really needs to be dealt with in a public hospital hospital. By going the private route initially in this circumstance meant that she saw the top consultant who was able to fast-track the needed care.

It's also worth paying for a private scope, if you don't have insurance, because of cancer is detected at least you can be referred for urgent public care to have the requisite surgery, eg in bowel cancer. The cost of a scope is similar to a nice summer holiday, so many people could actually afford that, and perhaps take a bargain break later instead.

Antares35

Smee_Again wrote: »

Not a whole lot for a “normal” birth.

We were told to start thinking about IVF due to a low egg count and the VHI contribution would have covered the premiums paid so far.

There were a few other tests covered too.

We’re pregnant now and are going semi private and the total fee is capped with VHI, it wouldn’t be otherwise. (I’d have gone public but then I’m cheap and not the one carrying the baby).

Ah, that makes sense. And congratulations. I hope everything goes well

I never felt cheap availing of public maternity care - we pay for it tenfold through our salary deductions :pac: :pac:

Thelonious Monk

Deleted User wrote: »

It's also worth paying for a private scope, if you don't have insurance, because of cancer is detected at least you can be referred for urgent public care to have the requisite surgery, eg in bowel cancer. The cost of a scope is similar to a nice summer holiday, so many people could actually afford that, and perhaps take a bargain break later instead.

That's the thing it was to do with bowel cancer and I did have to get a scope, but I was referred pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure I didn't have to pay for it, but I can't remember, it was about 4 years ago.
Got the all clear though it's just because family members have had b-cancer problems.

Earthhorse

Yes, I have and always have had.

Last year was the first time I had to really make use of it and it's hard to know if it's worth it for those purposes. I had several GP visits, a rake of tests; blood, urine, ECG, ultrasound and a visit with two consultants. All told my medical expenses came to around €800 of which my insurance covered €300. My premium is around €700.

Luckily in my case it didn't turn out to be anything too serious but I'm a bit disappointed with how little was covered. I think where it would really kick in would be hospital stays or more complex procedures of which I've thankfully had none. But there's such an array of policies out there it's also hard to know what exactly would be covered.

Overall though, I'd rather have it than not, and be thankful for my (generally ) good health.

Health insurance is one of those things that seems like a waste of money, until you really, really, need it. I've always had it and at the moment my husbands job pays for good insurance for us all, including all dental and full cover for the shorty.

It's a safety net, hopefully we'll never land on it but it's nice to know it's there if we have to.

tscul32

I brought my 15 year old to the Hermitage last week to get an ingrown toenail removed and back the next day for a dressing change. Even private with health insurance it took 6 weeks to get the appointment. I dread to think how long it would have been on a public list. It wasn't getting any better on it's own but also not getting any worse so he'd probably be way down the list. He hardly leaves the house with homeschooling and the pandemic so at least with it sorted I'll be able to drag him out for a walk. And he missed a month of PE before Christmas, not a remotely active kid at the best of times, hate to think what it would be like if he was 6+ months waiting.

We never had it growing up and never needed it, very healthy family. My parents have had a couple of small things in the past few years but they're in their 70s now so get seen quickly enough in the public system. My OH's family always had it and he was adamant we get it. Thankfully his jobs have always provided it, his plus half of mine in a previous job, current one covers us both plus 3 kids. Rarely use it but we're with VHI and live quite close to a swift care clinic so it's good to know there's somewhere handy to go.

Joe Exotic

Definatly worth it for me, My Daughter (2 and a half now) needed open heart surgery last year. Would have probably been the same team doing the surgery if we were public via Crumlin hospital.

The main difference is that even after four stays in hospital high dependancy units in her first year for Breathing difficulties it would have been 18 months for her to get the heart scan to diagnose the issue - got it in 3 weeks private.

Once you get the scan and diagnosis your on the path then it really doesnt matter getting that scan was well work the 2 grand a year to me and with 4 month old twins in the house i know if theres an issue then it will be sorted quick.

Unfortunatley our system is terrible nobody should have to get haelth insurance and Public consultants being allowd to work privatley in the public hospitals is a curse in our system. get rid of that and we might not need the insurance!!

LuasSimon

If you are prepared to pay for a scan yourself , would you not be the same as someone with health insurance ?
So don’t pay a grand a year but pay a grand on an occasion you need a scan ?

Daragh1980

I have it.
OP - if you take out health insurance, the Left will hate you.

LuasSimon

LuasSimon wrote: »

If you are prepared to pay for a scan yourself , would you not be the same as someone with health insurance ?
So don’t pay a grand a year but pay a grand on an occasion you need a scan ?

But if the scan says you need surgery and the public waiting list is years - that's when you'll appreciate the difference between forking out the odd time and having full cover.