Hip Operation

Quitelife

My Hip is starting to give me some pain , not bad enough to get replaced just now but probably in the next 3-5 years . I presently have Vhi but not sure how long more I can justify paying it .
if one is working but has no medical card or healthcare , how long could you be waiting and do you pay anything if you have neither medical card or healthcare ?

MIKEKC

If you have vhi why stay in pain for 5 years?. Get it done if you are considering giving up your vhi.

Birneybau

I was going to say to post elsewhere but if you've paid for VHI, wouldn't it make sense to use it and THEN cancel?

StormForce13

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058359255/hip-operation

Thing is, you can't really go to your GP and tell him/her that your hip is going to need replacement in 3 to 5 years so would they please put on the public waiting list now!

If you haven't already, why not ask your GP to refer you for a public x-ray followed by a private scan for starters and then see whether s/he decides to refer you to a (private) consultant. When that's all done, you can see whether you're even close to the starting line.

One eyed Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058359255/hip-operation

The first thing to be clear about is that health insurance is not a savings plan - of course it’s useful for planned events, but it’s purpose is for the unplanned event, which can be considerably more costly than a hip replacement operation. To give you some idea though, I had a hip replacement in 2018, cost about €5k, and was covered by VHI. You’d be as well off to give them a call and they might be able to give you a more up-to-date figure.

I’m not sure how long you’d be waiting to have it done on the public healthcare system, depends on far too many factors to be honest. I’ve no idea about costs if you’ve no medical card or health insurance.

cute geoge

Do you have a manual labour job, if you have change that and you may never need a hip replacement

SuperBowserWorld

Was about to ask why do you think you need a hip replacement?

Definitely use your VHI to get as much information and advice you can from some experts about your situation before you do anything rash. Even get a second opinion.

Maybe you need no operation, maybe you need an operation in which case also get advice on risks and costs of follow up treatment etc etc for your situation.

You may be able to avail of cheaper VHI if it's only for certain procedures. You may be able to get the operation done privately, if you need it, then follow ups in th public system Etc etc.

If you are "older" maybe it just makes sense to continue paying VHI.