Giving up Healthcare

Quitelife

Just after getting my renewal for a family of 5 - gone from 3600 to 4400 ?

Does there come a stage when one can’t afford it anymore after having it for years now m beginning to wonder , anyone else get to the stage they couldn’t afford it ?

be a bit galling to have had it for years and when you might need it you can’t afford it

L1011

If you haven't changed plans in the last few years you are likely being ridden. I managed to take about 200 off my individual renewal by changing to basically the same plan with a different name with Laya

easygoing39

Gave up the VHI 14 yrs ago after having it for 22 yrs straight.Was worried at 1st but I've only needed to see a specialist once in that time and only had to wait 6 weeks to see them.Does'nt bother me in the least now,it's not like the hospitals won't treat you if you're sick.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058325301/giving-up-healthcare

I can't speak for Ireland, but here in Switzerland people are giving up the private element of healthcare and while cost is a factor the gap in services services has also narrowed to the point that some people don't see the value. For instance there was a time when you'd find yourself in a big ward if you were not going private, but today most wards are 2 to 4 people and in some hospitals the minimum size is 2 people because they don't have staff to cover private rooms. And depending on your issues there is some situations where private rooms are not allowed as you need to rely on your buddy to raise the alarm if something goes wrong! And of course there is a great shortage of specialists all over Europe, so even if you are paying a high premium you might still end up waiting for along period if there is no one available to see you.

It think you be realistic about what you are actually giving up versus what the insurance come would have you believe you are giving up. If your nearest hospital only has 5 private rooms for instance, then the chances of you getting one when you go in as an emergency is very low and if it is not an emergency you'll have to wait until a room frees up to get one. Like wise with consultants if there is a waiting list and you are an emergency you'll jump the queue in any case and if not even if you are private you'll have to wait some time as well, it will be shorter but many not by as much as you'd expect.

Quitelife

I wouldn’t be bothered about the private room piece … I’d only be concerned I’d be waiting 2 years for a scan or something as opposed to 2 months on Vhi ??

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121443193#Comment_121443193

That's all anyone needs it for. Quick access to consultants and scans especially if it could be the difference between life and death. I would never give up health insurance because when you do is when you will probably need it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121442958#Comment_121442958

Well I had an experience where I was an inpatient at a public hospital with bad abdominal pain. Had been under gynae care but my symptoms were changing and I was really uncomfortable. The doctor looking after me said they had been refused ordering me a scan. A discharged myself there and then, brought myself to a private ED and diagnosed with stomach ulceration. So yes indeed, the public hospital denied investigating me due to their very rigid protocols that the doctor looking after me described as working with their hands tied behind their backs.

Also, I attend a public MS clinic, and the top professor there said he can’t get important scans ordered in a timely fashion to afford precise diagnosis and treatment, so gets me to have my scans privately at Blackrock. Fortunately I have the insurance.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121443336#Comment_121443336

But if it is actually a life and death matter then do you really expect you'll be ignored? If there is 50 people waiting to see two experts and ten of them are in life treating situations, do you really expect that you'll be ahead of them just because you paid a bit more? Of course it is convenient to have easy access, but I don't believe there is any state in the EU/EEA/CH where people with life treating situations will be put at the back of the queue.

Jim2007

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The J Stands for Jay

Has anyone here actually paid for a scan or a visit to a specialist? Are these expenses actually so high that you need to insure the risk of incurring them?

Geuze

Plenty of people pay cash to see a consultant.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121458485#Comment_121458485

And it's easily several hundred a visit. More with scans, tests beforehand.

Eggs For Dinner

My last procedure came in at €110k and I know there are more on the horizon, unfortunately. I'll never give up my policy

BringBackMick

The old classic is to call and ask whether there are other policies with the same or similar entitlements and request a quote

Private healthcare is very good for prevention and precaution

If you're very sick of course you'll get covered and seen to on the public...but by then it could be too late

Nigel Fairservice

I had it for years without having to resort to using it and gave it up. I got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was off cover and also had to have my gallbladder removed. I took health insurance up again but had to serve out a wait period of 5 years to have anything MS related recovered. I haven't used my health insurance since I took it up again 7 years ago but it was typical that I didn't have cover when it would have been great to have some. I'd be slow to give up the cover again even if money was an issue. I'd cut other things before I'd cut the health insurance.

Quitelife

Its hard to know, i'll keep it going as long as i can but at 1400 per adult - 2800 for couple its enough in a mid to low income house with other financial pressures.

gipi

Had health insurance up to 2009, pay cuts at that time meant I had to decide whether to keep or let it go.

I let it go.

Waited 7 years for gall bladder removal op. I was diagnosed with a cardiac issue over 18 months ago and haven't had a first outpatient appointment with cardiology yet. The issue has been managed by my turning up at ED when I'm in trouble, and more recently by my (new) proactive GP.

In fairness, any time I've had to go to the ED I'm seen quickly and most times I get a bed.