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Child Item

Private Medical Insurance

ruddy1987

I knows its coming into the busiest time of the year of Private Medical Insurance renewals.

Just to highlight some offers if anyone is looking to renew their insurance. You can look at plans and compare your current plan to other plans on the HIA website.

Level Health

Backed by Aviva, launched last year. They have a 10% off their Plan A & B on their website and 50% off kids (plan B) along with free kids under 3.

Irish Life Health

You can get 5% off some of their plans including First Cover (cheapest plan on market), My Plan Range and Health Guide 1,2,3. Health Guide plans are very good corporate plans

Laya Health

If you want a plan with full cover for orthopedic procedures Laya have better value plans than any other provider. Essential Health 300 and Prosper Advanced are great plans currently.

VHI

Some great corporate plans to have a look at PMI 43 16 and PMI 53 10.

Life Time Community Rating Loading

If you are 34 or younger you could save a lot of money by taking out Health Insurance before you get to age 35 as loadings kick in after that. Information on loadings can be found here. Even just taking out the cheapest plan on the market, First cover with Irish Life (sub €500 with discount) before you reach 35 could save you a lot of money.

Health insurance is VERY confusing for most people so they end up way over paying. No matter who you are insured with you will likely be able to reduce your increase by doing a little work ahead of your renewal. The HIA is a great resource and free.

Cost continue to increase so this thread might hopefully be a place where people help each other to save money no matter who you are insured with over next few months.

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patrickc

Hi Ruddy

thanks for all the advice. I have the option between inspire plus and inspire with Laya, about 400 in the difference for a 40/44 and 12 year old. Would you think we'd be okay to drop to inspire?

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124063595#Comment_124063595

Adults could drop down to inspire but keep the child on inspire plus as slightly cheaper for children.

patrickc

Brilliant thank you

ruddy1987

See below a full list of Irish Life Health Plans with discounts from 1st of January. These are all well priced plans with discounts that likely will save people money if willing to switch provider;

Plan

Link

Adult Price 1st January

Discounted Price Adult via Link

Savings per adult

First Cover

https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=172H3D1

€511

€458

€53

MyPlan 500

https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=179H3D1

€1,083

€976

€107

MyPlan 350

https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=177H3D1

€1,145

€1,033

€112

MyPlan 500 Day to day

https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=180H3D1

€1,147

€1,035

€112

MyPlan 350 day to day

https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=178H3D1

€1,224

€1,106

€119

MyPlan 150

https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=175H3D1

€1,357

€1,227

€130

Benefit

https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=153H3D1

€1,450

€1,312

€137

MyPlan 150 day to day

https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=176H3D1

€1,452

€1,314

€138

HealthGuide 1

https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=168H3D1

€1,675

€1,519

€156

HealthGuide 2

https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=170H3D1

€1,768

€1,604

€164

HealthGuide 3

https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=169H3D1

€2,085

€1,971

€114

Jerry Atrick

You're doing great work here @ruddy1987 . Assume you're in the industry?

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124064538#Comment_124064538

Yes I work in the industry 99% on corporate benefits (pension, health, risk insurances). So many people don't have the luxury of being in a corporate company paid plan, just trying to help out regular consumers no matter what the plan or insurer. I have gotten so much from the forum over the years.

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124058658#Comment_124058658

Simply health plus is a great plan if you have lots of outpatient costs as a very high out patient cap. It also has a cap on inpatient excess. So great plan if you have high out patient costs and or regular in patient treatment. If they are not as important you could save money with Inspire or Health Guide 2 with discounts.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMDE0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6QwMwpNszQEKzQFElQcEBQkGkJGTpUFkdWx0AAHDww==

Your 22 should take out own plan online and get 5% discount on Signify plus.

I would put whoever of your kids has higher outpatient expenses on Inspire Plus and your other child on the free plan Flex 125 Explore.

Ling55

Hi Ruddy

I’m 63 & my husband is 70 (will be getting GP medical card). We are on Level Health Plan C day to day. Mostly have day to day expenses not hospitalisation expenses. Our son is 30 and we have him on Level Health Plan B (no health issues) We will renew his policy & get 10% discount. Any alternatives for us please? Couldn’t get comparison website to work for me…. Thank you

Ling55

Sorry, renewal is end of December

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124066382#Comment_124066382

if you have day to day expenses mainly I wouldn’t have you on Plan c as outpatient cover is very poor.

If you are looking at decent in patient cover and cash back on your day to day items as your renewal is in December I would be looking at Connect Choice with Laya, HealthGuide 2 with Irish Life or PMI 43 16 with VHI, I would say all are better options if you use day to day items. Have a look at the comparison below:

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6QwNwpTNAXBuzQFEO5UHBAUJBpCRk6VBZHVsdAABw8M%3D

Plan B is decent cover for your son but if looking at alternatives I’d look at the my plans range (links above with discounts as alternative if looking to change)

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6QwNwpTNAW3NAVbNAVTNAVWVBwQFCQaQkZOlQWR1bHQAAcPD

Ling55

Thank you so much Ruddy. Enjoy Christmas 😀

alanbk

Hi Ruddy.
My son and wife both 32 with no health insurance. Neither have any major medical issues. What plan would you suggest that is cheap and would allow them avoid community rating post age 35. Thanks as usual.

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124067668#Comment_124067668

They have until 34 to take out a policy to avoid community rating. If they want a basic plan first cover from Irish life is sub €500 if you purchase here (https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote). It gives public hospital only cover but has some minor injury and digital benefits included. Similarly you could look at plan A with level health.

These are cheapest plans on market, if wanting to get any kind of cover in private hospitals you are probably looking at spending c€1,000-€1,200. Plan b with level health or Irish life my plan range.

Aquos76

@ruddy1987 First care 500 day to day from VHI, I know its basic enough, currently paying for 2 adults, 1 young adult (22) and one teen, I will be dropping the young adult upon renewal which is 31st Dec as he is living outside of the country now. I don't mind spending similar if I can improve on my wife and I's cover. What plans would you recommend I look at alternatives. Many thanks

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124068056#Comment_124068056

You current plan isn’t bad value for the benefit it offers but it is limited. I would consider the enhanced care 350 plans if you can increase your budget a little.
if you want high tech cover for high tech hospitals id be looking at health action 1 (€1,300) with Irish life health.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6QwNwpTNASLNAUfNAUjNAYSVBwQFCQaQkZOlQWR1bHQAAcPD

NoeldeBournaix

Hi Ruddy. Thanks so much for starting this thread, it's been very interesting and helpful. I'm Male 42, totally clueless on health insurance plans tbh. I'm on Laya Flex 250 for over 10 years and no idea if it's a decent plan or not. I have thankfully never had to make a single claim to date.

When I first signed up I was thinking that if I ever had to have a knee/ hip/ back operation that I could get the treatment in a private hospital, I wouldn't mind paying an excess. This is probably an old plan now and the cost has risen quite a bit, do you think there are similar plans on the market that may offer better value? I did check the HIA website, but still none the wiser lol.

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124068330#Comment_124068330

yes thewe are her ally bad value, which flex 250 are you on as there are three of them! Just want to make sure I’m talking about the right one when I reply!

NoeldeBournaix

Oh yes. It's Flex 250 plus that I'm on Ruddy thanks.

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124068346#Comment_124068346

yes it’s terrible value…prosper advanced way way better cover and cheaper currently! Even after January price increase it will be worth it.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6QwNwpJ0zQE4lQcEBQkGkJGTpUFkdWx0AAHDww==

One thing I would question is having the full orthopaedic cover at your age might not be necessary. When looking at your cover you should be looking two years ahead (as there is a two year upgrade rule), if your not likely to need full Ortho in this time you could save a nice few quid by dropping this for a few years.

NoeldeBournaix

Thanks again Ruddy, really appreciate you taking the time to look into that. I see what you mean about the two year upgrade rule, makes sense. Ill be happy to switch to the prosper advanced though, I'll give them a call during the week.

bren2001

@ruddy1987 I'm on PMI 45 10.

While no major issues, I've had plenty of sports injuries over the years and a few surgeries (knee). No major health issues aside from snoring which is being looked at by an ENT.

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124068599#Comment_124068599

well priced plan, only thing about it is it excludes hospitals in cork and Waterford. Once this is not an issue I’d be recommending you stay where you are.

arrowman

Hello @ruddy1987 you are doing great work here

I get the job of reviewing my family's health cover options and its not my favourite job but I end up doing it mainly because no one else has the patience. Hoping you can help me out and narrow the field of options. I have HIA website blindness at this stage.
The following is the current lie of the land for my parents and my own family unit. Can you suggest a few lower price alternatives while keeping roughly the same level of cover? We are all living in the north east of the country about 80 miles from Dublin. The Mater has received a few visits over the years.
I would like in particular to see if I could get a lower priced alternative for my parents but they are very wary of changing plans or cover just in case they end up not covered for something when they need it now. They have paid private health insurance all their lives but are both pensioners now and its a big bill every year for them

As you can see from the details below we are all with Laya. I have found them good enough to deal with but the recent price rises have tested my loyalty.
Any help or steer you can give would be appreciated

Who	Current plan	Price	Health
Father & Mother (both aged 77)	Simply Connect	2473 X 2	Father – had significant health issues last year but OK now/ Mother – likely need hip replacement(s) soon. Both have medical card
Me (age:53)	Inspire	1642	Auto immune condition requiring annual consultant visits, some physio and monthly medication capped under Drugs Payment scheme. Would have had regular GP and consultant visits but less of those in the last year. Who knows for 2026??
Wife (49)	Inspire	1642	No health issues
Oldest Daughter (16)	Prosper	332	No health issues
Middle Daughter (13)	Essential Health 300	No charge	No health issues
Youngest son (12)	Essential Health 300	No charge	No health issues

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124069300#Comment_124069300

Does your father need full ortho/ophthalmic cover? This where savings can be made if he doesn't. For your mother no big savings but she should be looking at Total Health Extra (€2,400) or Proposer Advanced (€2,563). Prosper is really worth the extra premium as its a private room plan (versus semi private plan you are on) and has lower excess's and 75% back for Consultants.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6QwPwpNTzQE4VJUHBAUJBpCRk6VBZHVsdAABw8M%3D

Inspire is a good level of cover for you and your wife and if happy wouldn't be recommending any change. For the youngest two kids Flex 125 Explore should be free, I would change them from Essential Health 300 to this as its better cover.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARpjEyNy40MqYyNjQ2LjPCkJABoTCjNjAwAJPNB-kMD8KSzJxhlQcEBQkGkJGTpUNoaWxkDAHDww%3D%3D

arrowman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124070960#Comment_124070960

Many thanks for that ruddy1987

Father had some gallbladder/ pancreas health issues 2 years ago - ortho and eye wise he is in good shape. He keeps active daily. He has had chest problems with a bad bout of pneumonia a good number of years ago so we are always wary of that. Again he's at an age when he could end up needing the cover

What alternative plan would you suggest for him?

Based on your advice we'll maybe up her cover and go for Prosper advanced - is there a waiting period to serve before she would get the benefit of the extra cover if say she went for a hip replacement in 2026?

Are there any alternatives for my wife and I from say those Irish Life plans that you posted previously? Laya are Ok but there its still no harm to check out the competition.
Thanks for that tip re the Flex 125 Explore plan for the two youngest - I changed up the cover for them a few years ago but went with the recommendation from the Laya rep on the phone (who was very good) but if there is a better level of cover there for them that's free then why not avail of it. The youngest two are big into the football and running so you would never be sure when they might need cover.

goneirileat

Hi @ruddy1987

Thank you for your contributions to this thread. They are so helpful.

We, myself (42), wife (38) and two children (3) and (4) are looking at renewing our health insurance. We are currently on Laya Inspire with the children on Inspire Plus and Flex 125 Explore respectively. Previously we had all been on VHI Company Plan Level 1.3

The costs for these plans have risen over the past couple of years. I was wondering if you could recommend any similar, less expensive plans?

Semi-private in private hospitals in sufficient. Day to day expenses for reflexology, physical therapy, podiatry etc. Thank you.

Ivyglen

No question. Just that I hope people realise all the valuable expertise you are dispensing out of kindness.

Gael23

Currently have ILH Horizon 4 renewal coming in at €2268

Looking at Laya Optimum premium at €1820 but better cover I believe. Or else VHI PMI 45 10 coming in at €1695.

would be interested in any feedback on these

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124072705#Comment_124072705

Main advantage with Horizon is guaranteed payment amounts on certain procedures and the three free personalised packages.

If happy without packages I’d be looking at Health Guide 3 with discount to stay with Irish life.

If looking at Laya opt premium is very a strong plan but only has 60% ortho cover from 1st of January so that’s a flag for many.

PMI 45 10 is only a semi private room plan versus the other two which are both private. Also it excludes hospitals in Cork and Waterford so not suitable for people in those areas. Also lesser amounts in refunds.

ruddy1987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124071619#Comment_124071619

not a lot you can do in terms of savings unless you make changes to lower cover…you could look at inspire care for the adults potentially. Inspire plus for kids is great value for benefits offered.

ILH alternative would be HG2 with the discounts but no savings in premium term overall.
VHI don’t have anything that will save money.