Health insurance and pre existing condition

msullyo · 01-08-2017 01:06PM #1

Returning to ireland after living in the UK for a few years. I have a pre existing medical condition. From What I read i will not be covered for 5 years if anything went wrong. I would be paying out €7500+ and for no cover! What am I sopose to do??? Pay or not pay?? Has anybody has same problem.

Marcusm · 01-08-2017 03:06PM

Have you had cover int he UK? Are they willing to continue cover on an "expat" basis?

coylemj · 01-08-2017 04:00PM

I suspect that there is a significant age loading in that quote, nothing to do with a pre-existing condition.

As a matter of public policy and to encourage young people to take out insurance, an age loading was introduced in 2015 which is an additional 2% of the base premium per year above age 34 so if you are 54 and have not had continuous insurance cover here before, your premium will be increased by 40%.

What loadings will apply?

A loading of 2% of the gross premium will apply for every year of age higher than age 34 that an individual has attained when they first purchase inpatient private health insurance after 30 April 2015.

Will I have to pay a loading for the rest of my life?

Yes, the loading will apply throughout life when a person purchases inpatient health insurance after 30 April 2015.

https://www.hia.ie/consumer-information/lifetime-community-rating-explained

Hoboo · 01-08-2017 04:05PM

coylemj wrote: »

Who is asking for €7,500? What is the name of the policy you've been quoted? I suspect that there is a significant age loading in that quote, nothing to do with a pre-existing condition.

I expect thats the total over 5 years.

coylemj · 01-08-2017 04:19PM

Hoboo wrote: »

I expect thats the total over 5 years.

Thanks, I hadn't considered that angle.

OP, the premium they're quoting will cover you for everything except treatment relating to the pre-existing condition.

msullyo · 01-08-2017 05:46PM

Marcusm wrote: »

Have you had cover int he UK? Are they willing to continue cover
Never purchased private health care here in the UK.

msullyo · 01-08-2017 05:47PM

Marcusm wrote: »

Have you had cover int he UK? Are they willing to continue cover
Never purchased private health care here in the UK.

Mrs OBumble · 01-08-2017 05:54PM

coylemj wrote: »

Thanks, I hadn't considered that angle.

OP, the premium they're quoting will cover you for everything except treatment relating to the pre-existing condition.

No it won't.

It won't cover any pre existing condition. Even ones you don't know about. The decision about whether something is pre-existing or not won't be made until after you have treatment and submit a claim for it - so there's a chance your claim will be declined.

msullyo · 01-08-2017 05:55PM

I never purchased private health insurance here in the UK and. €7500 is over the 5 years €1500x5.
I had private health care previously in ireland and cancelled it, when I moved away. I'm in my late 20's so the 40% increase does not apply. Thanks for all the info+ suggestions

bren2001 · 02-08-2017 08:39AM

msullyo wrote: »

Returning to ireland after living in the UK for a few years. I have a pre existing medical condition. From What I read i will not be covered for 5 years if anything went wrong. I would be paying out €7500+ and for no cover! What am I sopose to do??? Pay or not pay?? Has anybody has same problem.

Its up to you whether you decide you want private health cover or not. While you are not covered for any pre-existing conditions, you will be covered for any new health problems that arise within the 5 years. You're not shelling out for "no cover", your paying for new problems (which only seems fair imo). In 5 years time, your pre-existing stuff will be covered.

The question that arises is, do you want "full cover" in 5 years time? Will you want cover when you are much older? (i.e. you've to take the loading into account). Health insurance is just risk management, its completely up to you how you would like to manage that risk. I view it as something that is essential (albeit my cover is nowhere near €1500 a year).

Fanny Wank · 02-08-2017 09:15AM

Take out a hospital only policy with an excess?

Wouldn't be anywhere near 1500 a year

msullyo · 02-08-2017 12:32PM

1500 was a quote I got online and it was the cheapest with the info I put in

bren2001 · 02-08-2017 12:37PM

msullyo wrote: »

1500 was a quote I got online and it was the cheapest with the info I put in

www.hia.ie is where you can compare all the insurance plans and find one that suits your needs. There are plenty of cheaper options with higher excess or less hospital coverage for much cheaper.

LostArt · 02-08-2017 12:44PM

You can always buy something cheap and basic and upgrade after 3 years, then the upgrade waiting period will be served alongside the original new customer waiting period.

Marcusm · 03-08-2017 07:12AM

coylemj wrote: »

I suspect that there is a significant age loading in that quote, nothing to do with a pre-existing condition.

As a matter of public policy and to encourage young people to take out insurance, an age loading was introduced in 2015 which is an additional 2% of the base premium per year above age 34 so if you are 54 and have not had continuous insurance cover here before, your premium will be increased by 40%.

What loadings will apply?

A loading of 2% of the gross premium will apply for every year of age higher than age 34 that an individual has attained when they first purchase inpatient private health insurance after 30 April 2015.

Will I have to pay a loading for the rest of my life?

Yes, the loading will apply throughout life when a person purchases inpatient health insurance after 30 April 2015.

https://www.hia.ie/consumer-information/lifetime-community-rating-explained

If the OP was in the correct age bracket, they still would not be liable for the loading if they had been living abroad on the date of the intorudctuon of the loading in 2015, provided they take up cover in Ireland within a reasonable period.

skippy2 · 04-08-2017 11:24AM

Have you looked into getting Expat Worldwide insurance as an alternative...........many international companies provide this

hkjohn · 14-02-2018 10:31AM

Anyone know what actually constitutes a pre-existing condition?

Reason why I ask is that my wife had a thyroid problem which our health insurance co unilaterally (i.e. with no basis or medical justifcation) decided was a pre-exisiting condition. Eventually turned out to be no problem but took an initial specialists appointment and follow up to get the all-clear.

As am sick and tired of the way the insurance company has messed us around about excesses, am now considering changing insurers but am not sure if new co will consider the thyroid problem (not actually a 'problem' at all as it turned out) will be defined as a pre-existiig condition.

anyone know for sure or had similar problems with their insurers?

LostArt · 14-02-2018 10:40AM

"Pre-existing condition” means an ailment, illness or condition, where, on the basis of medical advice, the signs or symptoms of that ailment, illness or condition existed at any time in the period of 6 months ending on the day on which the person became insured under the contract."

Health insurance and pre existing condition

Comments