Private Medical Insurance

funnyname · 18-01-2026 11:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124092873#Comment_124092873

Thanks Ruddy, what happens if we went with a stripped down policy that reduced our premium by half, would I be able to join a future work plan (thinking about when I get back into gainful employment) that offered substantially higher benefits?

ruddy1987 · 19-01-2026 09:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124160718#Comment_124160718

yes that’s an option, big one though is the risk in between. Also depending on the corporate scheme you join it might not have a waiver of waiting periods so you would need to serve two year upgrade waiting period.

ruddy1987 · 19-01-2026 10:33AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124158120#Comment_124158120

The connect choice plan is not as good as it once was. From the renewal (whatever date yours is in 2026) it has only 60% ortho cover and excess's for hospitals increase a lot (specially High tech). The one big plus the plan had was 75% back on Gp's but I wouldn't consider the plan that good anymore with the ortho shorfall, increase in premium and excess's.

With Laya to save money your probably looking at a plan like inspire for adults and inspire plus for kids but that brings coverage for GP's down to 50%. If you want to keep the 75% you will have to spend more and I would be looking at something like Prosper Care with Laya if thats your goal.

If looking at Irish Life Health Guide 2/3 with discounts are decent value. VHI plans are slightly more expensive and generally Level Health plans dont have great day tod ay if thats what is important to you.

brocbrocach · 19-01-2026 12:43PM

Hi Ruddy1987, I wonder if you could throw your eye over my own plans please, I'm finding it a bit of a minefield to be honest! I'm on assure vitality for the last 10 years but as I'm in mid forties now and a couple of issues possibly popping up I should probably upgrade from basic to mid-level insurance. Issues would be high cholesterol and back pain, aside from that I'd like good day to day coverage and good physio and alternative therapy visit numbers. I have two kids and benefits to them would be a bonus but not vital. I'm thinking maybe Plan Pro or Plan Pro plus and have run the comparison on the Hia site. Thanks for giving your time and experience!

ruddy1987 · 19-01-2026 12:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124160304#Comment_124160304

Are you resident in ireland, to qualify for health insurance you need to be resident in ireland. The other points is around potential LCR loadings that might apply, if your not resident in ireland this is likely not an issue but if you are this will increase for every year you dont have health insurance.

ruddy1987 · 19-01-2026 01:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124161592#Comment_124161592

I think an upgrade in cover given your age would make sense as your current cover is very basic.

Have a look at some of these plans on the link:

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6gETwpXNAZXNAZvNAYTNAYfNAUSVBwQFCQaQkZOlQWR1bHQAAcPD

What age are your kids, if they are young id be keeping them on a basic plan (you and your kids can be on different plans).

bungaro79 · 20-01-2026 12:43AM

Thanks a million Ruddy

brocbrocach · 20-01-2026 01:40PM

Thanks a million ruddy1987, some good options there. Kids are young enough still that I'm happy to leave them in the wind for now ;)

shannon82 · 20-01-2026 09:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124161630#Comment_124161630

Individuals who were living outside Ireland on 1 May 2015 and return after that date have a nine-month period from their return to buy health insurance without loadings.

Hoboo · 20-01-2026 11:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124165973#Comment_124165973

Who is that with?

athina232 · 20-01-2026 11:49PM

It applies to all people returning from abroad, and all health insurance companies must adhere to this.

funnyname · 21-01-2026 12:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124161098#Comment_124161098

Think we go with the HealthGuide 3 plan, thanks a million for your help! Coming in at 5085 which includes a discount of 300.

funnyname · 21-01-2026 12:41AM

Also is it possible to definitively find out if a change from one plan to another plan is a step up or step down to help figure out if a waiting period applies?

ruddy1987 · 21-01-2026 08:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124166370#Comment_124166370

if you have a downgrade in cover by changing you will have immediate cover for the lower cover in hospital. If you upgrade your cover you will have immediate cover for any new conditions you develop but if you had existing conditions you are limited to the previous lower level of cover for two years.

For outpatient cover with Irish life health no waiting period applies to any upgrades over you are under 55. If over 55 there is a 6 month waiting period for upgrades in outpatient cover.

shannon82 · 21-01-2026 08:47AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124166286#Comment_124166286

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

amber2 · 21-01-2026 04:34PM

Ruddy, so I’m back looking for your advise please as renewal is around the corner, two adults both 50 on Laya flex 500 explorer switched from essential health 300 last year due to price increase. Not interested in day to day expenses tbh as we don’t have that many. One adult has arthritis but both fit and healthy other than that. 2 teens age 17&19. I took out a separate policy last year for them to avail of the new client discounts, no conditions with either of them either switched them to Prosper. 19 yr old has GP only card. Located in Cork. Open to switching providers. Thank you, help is very much appreciated.

pm. · 21-01-2026 10:32PM

Hi Ruddy,

Thanks a million for all the information, it’s been absolutely brilliant.

I just have one question regarding VHI PMI 45 10. From the documentation, it doesn’t seem to include cover for high-tech hospitals. However, when I phoned VHI customer service, they confirmed that Beacon Hospital is covered under this plan and that VHI do not classify the Beacon as a high-tech hospital.

That’s where my confusion lies, as most other insurers list the Beacon as a high-tech hospital. I was originally considering moving away from PMI 45 10 because of the lack of high-tech cover, but if the Beacon is included, I may well stay on this plan.

Before making a final decision, I just wanted to check with you whether you see any better alternatives I should be considering?

Thanks again for all your help,I really appreciate it.

ruddy1987 · 21-01-2026 11:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124169072#Comment_124169072

very well priced plan with great outpatient benefits. Excludes hospitals in Waterford and cork which means plan wouldn’t suit everyone.

Even though beacon is high tech most insurers cover at same rate as standard private hospitals.

Also hospital excess is relatively high at €250. Another small flag is only 80/90% for certain fixed price procedures. It’s good cover for the plan if ok with exclusions.

The best alternative is Health Guide 2 with the discount, it has better hospital cover but not as good outpatient.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6gEVwpLNAQTNAUSVBwQFCQaQkZOlQWR1bHQAAcPD

cunnifferous · 23-01-2026 10:01AM

Hi Ruddy. My company plan has changed from Laya Care Select to Laya Prime? What's your thoughts on the Prime plan? I'm 39yr old male. No outstanding health conditions

ruddy1987 · 23-01-2026 10:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124172262#Comment_124172262

Not sure who your company got advice off…likely off Laya directly (no conflict there…..). Firstly Care Select was awful value so moving off this made sense. But Prime would not have been where i would have sent you, decent drop off in out patient coverage and fixed amount for outpatient benefit not great.

I would encourage you to have a look at Prosper Care better out patient coverage, similar hospital coverage and cheaper. See below:

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6gEXwpPMkc0BCc0BN5UHBAUJBpCRk6VBZHVsdAABw8M%3D

If you know someone in HR that wants some input PM me.

rathevan · 23-01-2026 12:27PM

Hi Ruddy, this is a great thread. Thanks so much for all the advice. My own insurance will be up soon. Im 49, husband 55 and 2 sons 18 and 20. We are on on Signify and the boys are on Prosper for the last year after a call to Laya. My 18 yr old was diagnosed with Leukaemia 4 years ago but he is doing great and will be finished with his hospital appts this year but I would like him to have a plan with good hospital cover, should anything else happen. The rest of us are all fit and healthy. I suppose Im just looking to see what plan you might recommend for us as our renewal has seen a big increase.

brodsy · 23-01-2026 04:37PM

Hi Ruddy, I would appreciate your advice please. Two of us currently on Laya's Precision 600 Total. We live in Kerry so hospital options are limited enough here. No major health issues at the moment. Cardiac consultant & tests annually is the only recurring expense for himself, none for me, low amount of day to day expenses. Family history of heart, stroke and breast cancer. What would you recommend please?

ruddy1987 · 23-01-2026 09:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124167930#Comment_124167930

only reason you would be on that plan you are on is if you want full cover for orthopaedics. If that isn’t on the horizon in the next 2 years you have endless options to save money and improve cover potentially. Any of the Irish life my plans (links in previous posts) or benefit plan la very attractive if can take on orthopaedic excess.

For the young 17 year old Laya are pl for kids but for 19 year old generally VHI have the best rates for young adults.

sector_000 · 23-01-2026 10:21PM

Ruddy,
Thinking of adding my 29-year-old son to my Laya policy (mid-year).
I'm in a groupscheme that allows that and with zero waiting periods.
He's healthy… but showing signs of mental stress.
It'd be good to have a plan that gives something toward outpatient expenses.
He's been advised to get genetic cancer screening (family history there).
He needs to get a mole off (may be able to get that done as public patient).
Private hospital cover with semi-private room would be great.

What plan would you advise?
Much obliged, and thanks for all you're doing on boards.

ruddy1987 · 23-01-2026 10:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124174552#Comment_124174552

there is one plan that stands out massively if he is likely to need a lot of counselling, 360 care select isn’t cheap at €2132 per adult but it covers 90% of counselling cost along with good hospital and outpatient coverage. So if alot of counselling required this be where I would go to but if more regular needs inspire might suffice or simply health plus.

cunnifferous · 23-01-2026 11:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124172418#Comment_124172418

Good man Ruddy, thanks! I'm gonna chat to my HR and see if I can swap to a different plan. Any other Laya plans around 2k I should consider If I have a chance to change?

65bl · 24-01-2026 05:55PM

Hi Ruddy.

Thank you for an excellent informative thread.

I have read through it but havent seen Laya Simply Health Choice mentioned. My renewal is due mid Febuary @ €1836. What are your thoughts on this plan? Are there any better value alternatives?

For context 60year old male. No major health issues but have had MRI and cardiac investigation in the past. Obviously coming to an age where i would like to cover all eventualities but hopefully never use them!

Thanks in advance

65BL

ruddy1987 · 24-01-2026 06:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124174704#Comment_124174704

prosper care would be what I would be looking at if you want to keep the private room coverage.

ruddy1987 · 24-01-2026 06:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124176132#Comment_124176132

I’d be moving from that plan, simply health plus is €60 cheaper and better cover with lower hospital excess. I would be looking to move to this.

If open to a switch Health Guide 2 is good cover for €1,621 with discount in previous looks.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6gEYwpNRbM0BRJUHBAUJBpCRk6VBZHVsdAABw8M%3D

dodge1 · 24-01-2026 08:21PM

Hi Ruddy 1987.

We are a couple in our late 60s Meath based so Dublin hospitals important.

We are currently on Simplicity plan with Laya for the last 10 years or so. However it has gone up over 1000 euro per person in the last two years so feel its not really an option going forward .

Husband had a heart attack 14 years ago so currently sees a consultant in Mater private outpatient yearly and gets whatever tests he recommends. He also has had a knee replacement so like to keep these options open

myself have had catract surgery both eyes a few years ago and wear hearing aids. Possibly will also need joint replacements going forward.

We are happy enough as semi private patients but not sure how this works in private hospitals. At present we avail of outpatients day to day refunds on doctors. Consultants. Glasses and hearing aids mainly.

Laya have recommended prosper advance and I see you are recommending that quite a bit too.

I am not oppose to moving from Laya. Policy renewal 1st Feb. I am concerned as I think this policy might cap outpatient at 2000 per person where I think Simplicity is 7650 per person although I have never even claimed 2000 each.

Should this be a worry or am I overthinking. Any other policy recommendations?

Private Medical Insurance

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