Private Medical Insurance

Wexy86 · 07-01-2026 10:13PM

Hi Ruddy, any recommendations for my family, no insurance at present

2 adults, 39, and 2 kids 8 and 10.

just looking for something basic for consultant referrals if ever needed. Based in Wexford so no urgent care clinics local, would like Whitfield available so possibly public and semi private would suit? Thankfully at present have little to no day to day costs so not overly important. Again nothing pre existing so not specific cover I can think we need, just more piece of mind

Employer will contribute 35% to any plans - thank you in advance.

eatandrun · 07-01-2026 11:40PM

Hi Ruddy, just curious on something. Currently on a plan offered through work with VHI (PMI 31 12) Both myself and the partner are on it and in the range of 30-33 years old. No kids, but I guess they might be on the horizon in the next 2-5 years (hard to know lol)

It's a pretty pricey plan (according to the payment info page its costing € 3,204.28) and all we have really used it for is the online doc service and maybe 1 or 2 physios in the last two years.

I am half considering dropping it for something else..

Westbythesea · 08-01-2026 12:49AM

That's brilliant, thanks for taking the time to get that quote. Will be going with Health Guide 3 and cancelling my existing cover, as its some saving plus 75% back on GPs and consultants it's a no brainer.

Meath08 · 08-01-2026 01:49AM

Hi, hoping I can get some advice. My two kids (15) and myself (mid 50s) are all on PMI 07 10. Renewal is 1st February. Is there a better plan I should be considering for either myself or the children. We have used the Swiftcare clinic in Swords a number of times so continuing to have having access to this type of clinic would be preferred. No particular health issues currently but I’m at the stage of knowing I need to plan for issues in the future. Thanks

ruddy1987 · 08-01-2026 10:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124127265#Comment_124127265

The one thing you will need to factor in is that they two adults will have a loading to pay for 10 years now. As you are 39 the loading will be 10% extra premium so consider this.

If you want private coverage id recommend looking at some of the below plans:

My Plan 500- €975.59 per adult (plus loading of 10%). I would put the kids on Nurture Plus €150 each (sign up for adults and then contact Irish Life to add kids on Nurture plus)
My Plan 150- €1,227 per adult plus 10% loading. Similar plan to My Plan 500 with lower excesses. I would recommend the kids on Nurture plus as above
Benefit Plan- €1,312.13 per adult plus 10% loading. Has high tech cardiac cover. I would put the kids on Nurture Plus €150 each (sign up for adults and then contact Irish Life to add kids on Nurture plus)

See below HIA table of comparison

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcOQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6gEIwpTM3c0BVs0BUszHlQcEBQkGkJGTpUFkdWx0AAHDww%3D%3D

ruddy1987 · 08-01-2026 10:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124127764#Comment_124127764

This is actually a fairly ok plan with VHI. I would be saying stick with it if your company are paying for it. It has decent hospital cover and cash back day to day items.

If you are funding you could potentially look at reducing cover for yourself and keeping strong cover for your other half on the basis that you will need upcoming maternity care in the near future (potentially)

ruddy1987 · 08-01-2026 10:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124128014#Comment_124128014

That's a decent VHI plan for benefits and price. It excludes hospitals in Sligo and Waterford but sounds like you are Dublin based so no issue. There is also only 90% cover for certain Fixed price procedures in Private/High Tech Hospitals. If you are happy with VHI and cover you should stay put.

If open to a change you can get Health Guide 2 for 1 adult and 2 kids for €2,371.20 (with discount via link). Similar cover but no hospital exclusions and 100% cover for Fixed price procedures in private . Also you would have €50 back (per person) for sports club/gym memberships which might be useful. Also outpatient claim limit is €4,000 versus €1,000 on VHI plan (only relevant of lots of outpatient expenses). You would also have cover for Irish Life health clinics (dublin & Cork) or Laya clinics, 75% to up €200 per visit. So you could use the Irish Life clinic in Santry or the Laya Clinic in Swords.

HIA link: https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARpTgwNS4xpTEzOTA2wpCQAaEwozYwMACTzQfqAQjCkj7NAUSVBwQFCQaQk5OlQWR1bHQAAZOlQ2hpbGQLAZOlQ2hpbGQQAcPD

feelings · 08-01-2026 10:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124121296#Comment_124121296

Super, thanks ruddy. that's great, I think i'll switch to HG2 after reading the plan details. A quick follow up - I should have added that the two kids have recently got medical cards and so I have to decide do they even need medical insurance, both are healthy and well. Should I consider having some basic insurance without the day to day cover and what would you suggest in irish life?

ruddy1987 · 08-01-2026 11:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124130939#Comment_124130939

I’d look to keep some health insurance still just as a precaution. If you sign up for health guide I’d then recommend after you sign up calling up and adding kids then to nurture plus. It’s only €150 each. (https://www.irishlifehealth.ie/mediafiles/pdfs/tables-of-cover/Nurture_Plus_ILH_TOC.pdf)

Bellbottoms · 09-01-2026 02:15PM

Hi Ruddy,

What are you thoughts on VHI PMI 26 12.

I am a woman in my mid 40s. No kids, no partner, no chronic illness.

I am paying for it myself, and have had it for almost a decade.

Is there a better plan at a comparable price?

ruddy1987 · 09-01-2026 02:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124132629#Comment_124132629

major red flag is the lack of high tech cover. Day cover also only average and large shortfall on ortho.

I have suggested some alternatives with VHI in PMI 52 10 and PMI 53 10. For an extra €60 you could get Healthguide 2 which be worth the extra if willing to spend, you need to purchase via the links to get the discount.

Hia comparison

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6gEJwpQlzQEbzQEczQFElQcEBQkGkJGTpUFkdWx0AAHDww==

Bellbottoms · 09-01-2026 03:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124132748#Comment_124132748

Thank you. What is high tech cover?

ruddy1987 · 09-01-2026 03:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124132807#Comment_124132807

Cover in hospitals like the beacon mater private and blackrock clinic.

MIKEKC · 09-01-2026 03:58PM

.Hi Ruddy 1987 both wife and myself on Simply Connect with Laya costing e4946.They have Simply Connect Plus for e3982.We are both in our 70s and have medical cards.Am open to any plan that wont reduce cover.

ruddy1987 · 09-01-2026 09:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124133063#Comment_124133063

do you want to keep your full orthopaedic cover? If so I’d say actually spend a little more and move your prosper advanced is way way better. If you don’t need the full Ortho and are happy with 80% cover you can move your inspire plus which is the same plan without Ortho for c€700 cheaper.

Ha Long Bay · 09-01-2026 10:47PM

Hi Ruddy as echoed by many posters thank you for your time providing feedback.

Just a quick question I am currently covered by Laya ConnectChoice but comparing it looks like Prosper Care is a better plan with 75% of consultant costs compared to 50% with ConnectChoice.

Anything I am missing before switching? Need to stay with Laya as it's company provided.

ruddy1987 · 09-01-2026 11:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124134181#Comment_124134181

prosper advanced is better but a lot more expensive than Connect choice. So key is question is what do you need to upgrade your cover for.

The main attraction with prosper advanced is full orthopaedic cover (also has great day to day), but if you have a plan with Laya via a company you likely have an upgrade waiver that would allow you upgrade at point of need with Laya if you need an orthopaedic procedure wait out needing to serve your upgrade waiting period.

Ha Long Bay · 09-01-2026 11:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124134275#Comment_124134275

No need for Prosper Advanced I was asking to compare ConnectChoice V Prosper Care.

ruddy1987 · 10-01-2026 08:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124134297#Comment_124134297

apologies would help if I read your message right. Currently prosper care is priced better than connect choice (connect choice only increases once per year) while prosper care usually March/october.

2 items to be careful with on prosper care-

only covers €1,000 day to day versus €7,650 on connector choice
connect choice has an overnight excess payable one once per year

So if you don’t have massive outpatient costs or you are not likely to have multiple overnight admissions prosper care is likely a good option (likely price increase in April I would predict)

MIKEKC · 10-01-2026 04:00PM

.Thanks Ruddy. Yes want to keep orphopaedic cover. Private room would in private hospital would also be nice with both of us in our 70s.It would be well worth the extra to change.Thanks again

Vinnieb92 · 10-01-2026 07:02PM

Hi Ruddy,

Hoping for some advice please.

33 year old male from Dublin. Healthy with low day to day costs.

Was on Benefit2 since 2019 and looking to shop around since it has gone from 900 to 1.3k in that time.

I took out a higher cover policy with Level health pro+ at 1.8k. Is it good value? I'm having trouble finding opinions online about it as it's a brand new plan. Seems to sit between C and D.

My goal is very high hospital cover, low ortho, medium/low day to day. I don't really mind if an excess per admission is 0, 50 or 200

However the overnight excess for the mater/ BlackRock seems a bit concerning on this plan (200 a night). Is there something that gives access to these two hospitals with a per admission excess?

Aside from this point I'm happy with the cover on that plan. I'm just not sure if I can get the same cover for less elsewhere.

Or given my age and health am I over insuring myself and I just go with plan B or similar?

wilsixon · 11-01-2026 12:05AM

Is it possible to take out health insurance for a sixteen year old (policy just for him, not as part of family policy)?

Looking for the cheapest basic policy that includes public hospital cover, as it is a requirement for his visa.

Thanks

Looptheloop30 · 11-01-2026 02:52PM

Hi Ruddy, I had a full read through your posts. Fair play for all the help you're giving as this whole area is a minefield if you don't know what you're looking for.

As a couple in their late 30's with 2 children under 5, who have had the basic VHI PublicPlus Care cover for the last 6 years, any advice on what the next 'step up' is for us? Our renewal for all is €1305.

Some of the prices are well out of our reach but if there was something in and around (ideally less than) 2000 total then we think it would be worthwhile as my understanding is that we wouldn't actually see any benefits until another 2 years have passed. Just trying to future proof ourselves a bit better

General health is good, only thing that we can definitively factor in is 2 consultant visits/year (250 a go) followed by 4 follow up prescriptions at 80 a go (can stomach these as is as current plan gives little to no relief on them anyway).

Based in the West so I assume Kingsbridge, Galway Clinic and Bons S are the only private options that we are potentially looking at bar specialist treatments (correct me if wrong here, this whole thing is very confusing).

I know its generally you get what you pay for scenario and sky is the limit but looking for advice based on our ages and current circumstances. Is there even any need to upgrade just yet? Thanks for any advice

ablelocks · 11-01-2026 10:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124064794#Comment_124064794

hi Ruddy,

we don't have lots of outpatients costs. we haven't had a claim since 2021. we got the simply health plus on a great rate in 2020 when we switched, so stuck with it but price has gone up over the years, and this is the first review we've done on it.

Laya recommended we move both myself and my wife to signify plus. 22 year old still gets the 5% discount. They said that both kids need to stay on the essential connect family, and only the youngest is free. So monthly premium goes from €531 to €364ish - but the main differential is on the outpatients services, not the hospitals (blackrock and mater excepted)

Should we talk to VHI about moving to them with our son? His policy is a corporate one, PMI 70 10 is the plan. The gross premium cost for his plan is €808.68pa

TempAcc778 · 12-01-2026 11:06AM

For anyone in a similar boat - I have seen elsewhere that it looks like Laya will not pay out for consultancy even as GP cover/practitioners for weight loss injections for obesity but people have been lucky with VHI and Irish Life so will need to look at either of those.

Edited to add this was in relation to my comment above as quote didn't show.

mel123 · 12-01-2026 11:19AM

am I right to assume if you have for example vhi and switch to another provider, all previous illnesses carry over and no waiting period?

Alkers · 12-01-2026 01:05PM

Hi Ruddy,

Brilliant thread, even with the HIA comparison site, this is such a minefield for those not familiar with the ins and outs of the various policies.

I have a VHI FirstCare 500 Day-to-Day coming for renewal shortly, anything else I should be looking at?

39 YO M, wife's policy organised through work. No children (or planned) generally healthy, typically have nothing to claim except if I attend physio for a sports injury.

Many thanks

ruddy1987 · 12-01-2026 05:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124140168#Comment_124140168

Yes this is correct, the only waiting period that may apply is that if there is an upgrade in cover you would be limited to the previous cover for level for 2 years for any pre-existing conditions. So worst case you have the previous level of cover.

ruddy1987 · 12-01-2026 06:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124140441#Comment_124140441

That s not a bad plan for that money, if happy with cover I wouldnt be running to make a change.

ruddy1987 · 12-01-2026 06:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124139330#Comment_124139330

VHI generally have the best rates for young adults, so if you have kids between 18-25 likely you will get cover cheaper than Irish Life/Laya.

Private Medical Insurance

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