Private Medical Insurance

for your father you could look at Connect Simplicity or prosper care if willing to take on ortho shortfall.

There is a two year upgrade rule for inpatient treatment. So for any upgrades for any pre existing conditions you need to wait 2 years for any upgrade in cover.

If looking at alternatives to Laya you are looking at the HG2 with the discount as a strong alternative. It has lower excess’s for in patient treatment and also has a much higher outpatient cap of €4,000 versus €1,000 plan inspire so if a lot of outpatient expenses something to consider.

This would be viewed as a good mid level plan. Nothing better in premium terms for benefits with VHI. It would be similar to the Plan B with Level or the My Plan range with Irish Life Health. These plans generally suit younger members who are healthy but want access to good hospital coverage in the event something happens.

Better select is a good value plan, wouldn't be recommending a change of it if happy with cover. One small flag on the plan is that it only has 90% cover for certain special procedures in Mater Private and Blackrock Clinic (these would be 100% covered on plans like Health Guide 2). But if ok with that exclusion its a good value plan.

The only reason she should be on that plan is if she was looking for full cover for orthopaedic procedures. If she is happy with either 80% cover or a co co payment of €3,000 with Irish Life i would be recommending:

1. Health Guide 2- €1,603.64 via link https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=170H3D1
2. Health Guide 3- €1,970.56 via link https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=169H3D1
3. PMI 24 10 - Much better day to day cover and fixed excess for stays in Private Hospital
4. PMI 48 10- Better day to day coverage and same excess for Private hospital stays

Plan C for me is only suitable if next to no day case expenses.

HIA comparison below

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6QwRwpXNATDNAQ7NAQjNAUXNAUSVBwQFCQaQkZOlQWR1bHQAAcPD

PMI 43 16 is still strong despite the price increase, the alternative for similar cover would be Health Guide 2- €1,603.64 via link  https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=170H3D1 .

If you drop down cover to a plan like Prosper you would have immediate cover for any day to day items if you upgraded again, but you would be limited to the previous level of hospital cover you had on the lower plan for two years for an existing conditions (immediate cover for any new conditions).

Yes Simply connect is just to expensive now and poor value. If you want to keep the full ortho you are looking at moving to Proposer Advanced which is more expensive (€2,563.55) but much better cover.

If you want the same cover with Laya with a 20% shortfall on ortho you are looking at Inspire Plus (€1,776.07). I personally wouldn't be recommending 4D Health 2. Its due a massive price increase from the 1st of January, that price is the 31st of December price (so if you went with it you would definitely be moving plan again next year). If you are ok with Co-Payments Health Guide 2 €1,603.64 here (slightly more expensive if you start 31st December so recommend starting 1st of January). That's over €300 cheaper than 4D 2 and hospital cover almost identical (€3k co payment for ortho and €500 for ophthalmic).

If you are willing to start on 31st of December i would say Better Select with Irish Life Health (starting 31/12) is also good value at €1,756. HIA below:

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6QwRwpVTzQELzQFECSCVBwQFCQaQkZOlQWR1bHQAAcPD

You are probably getting close to the point where you need to make a decision if you ever want to have PMI. Your loading is significant. For you I would be looking at an entry level plan to get you in the system, the First cover or plan A type plan. You serve your waiting periods and got through the loadings on a plan with a lower premium. You should then look to upgrade cover as you get older and your needs change, and your loading will fall away eventually (after 10 years).