Private Medical Insurance

ruddy1987 · 28-01-2026 06:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124186449#Comment_124186449

Main reason you would be on Simply connect is that you both might potentially need orthopaedic treatment in the next 2 years. If that is the case i would say move to Proposer advanced (€90 extra), much better cover for slightly more expensive.

If you don't potentially need the full orthopaedic cover in next two years loads of options for savings. Inspire Plus is the same plan with the exception of a new 20% shortfall on ortho but costs c€700 less. The other option is move to health Guide 2 which is €1,603 and would compare very well and save €850 each a year.

Have a look at hia comparison of plans.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKZAQIDBAUGBwgJkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6gEcwpTNAURTzQELzQE4lQcEBQkGkJGTpUFkdWx0AAHDww%3D%3D

ruddy1987 · 28-01-2026 06:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124185742#Comment_124185742

For the OH, I would suggest you look at PMI 24 10 as a potential alternative with VHI. You dont need to have any adult on the plan (FYI).

I would be looking at simply health plus €1,789 with Laya instead of Simply Health Extra, other option is Inspire €1,652.

If moving I would be looking at Health Guide 2 for adults and be putting kids on Nurture plus at €150 each

ruddy1987 · 28-01-2026 06:17PM

Sorry been very busy myself at work (January is always nuts!). If i have missed a reply to anyone apologies there has been a lot of queries.

Posting Irish Life's current offers again just so people have access to them. These are all very well priced plans with the discounts currently and compare well with most VHI/Laya/Level Health Alternatives. Discount and prices are valid until 31st of March. VHI announced a price increase today effective the 1st of March and i expect Laya and Irish Life to follow suit on 1st of April. Level health have a price increase from teh 2nd of February.

Plan

Link

Adult Price Standard

Discounted Price Adult

MyPlan 150

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

€1,356.60

€1,226.89

MyPlan 150 day to day

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

€1,451.50

€1,313.87

MyPlan 350

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

€1,145.30

€1,033.19

MyPlan 350 day to day

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

€1,224.40

€1,105.70

MyPlan 500

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

€1,083

€975.59

MyPlan 500 Day to day

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

€1,147

€1,034.75

Benefit

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

€1,449.60

€1,312.13

HealthGuide 1

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

€1,675.10

€1,518.84

HealthGuide 2

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

€1,767.60

€1,603.64

HealthGuide 3

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

€2,084.80

€1,970.56

First Cover

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

€510.70

€457.50

sligoblue · 28-01-2026 09:11PM

Thank you very much Ruddy, really appreciate your help and the time you put into it.

ruddy1987 · 28-01-2026 09:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124187917#Comment_124187917

Hi Tabby, big question is do you need full orthopaedic cover? If you do options are limited, I would be saying spend a tiny but more and move to Prosper advanced.

If you do not need full ortho cover you have so many options to improve cover in almost every aspect (other than orthopaedic ) and save money! If you dont think you will need an orthopaedic in next 2 years id strongly recommend looking at alternative plans.

brettmirl · 29-01-2026 09:46AM

Hi Ruddy,

Firstly, thanks a million for all the advice you've being giving. Really shows how important it is to shop around and look at the fine print.

I'm currently on VHI PMI 38 14, having upgraded from PMI 36 13 at my last renewal. I do have a lot of recurring day-to-day expenses - physio, GP, consultants. And over the year, would get 2-3 MRIs.

I also attend St Vincent's Private for some pain management procedures, which are covered under VHI, with an excess.

Are there any other plans worth looking at (at semi-private levels) that would have good coverage for orthopaedic issues?

Married with no kids, turning 50 next month.

Thanks in advance!

ChippingSodbury · 29-01-2026 10:19AM

Hi, renewal in the door this week. 2 x adults (50s), 20yo in college and 14yo. Nothing special required, no maternity cover, no orthopaedic issues etc. Currently on Irish Life Benefit Access 300 and premium has gone from €2,770 to €3,319. ANything more appropriate out there?

Jeeves1847 · 29-01-2026 01:25PM

Hello Ruddy, thanks for all your brilliant help in the minefield that is health insurance.
Family of 5. Myself and my wife are mid 50’s, I have a complex chronic history. We are both on ILH HealthGuide 3 which works well for me mindful of the cost if either need a hip in the next years. Could you advise for the rest of the family. 23 year old currently on VHI PMI 0710 and an18 year old and 13 year old on ILH BeFit 2. Would like them to have urgent care cover and maybe semi private at the Beacon with some day to day cover for GP etc.Renewal date is March 1st. Thanks for your help and time.

1COR2 · 29-01-2026 02:10PM

Hi Ruddy, I have seen how helpful you have been to others enquiring, so thought I'd join the queue. I find it impossible to find the information I require using the HIA comparison tool. I am currently on PMI 1011 (2 adults, 2 young adults/Dublin-based) and am due to renew. Trying to see if there is a better value policy that offers similar -semi-private accommodation in a private hospital, with good day to day expenses. I would appreciate your insight if you find the time.

ruddy1987 · 29-01-2026 03:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189229#Comment_124189229

PMI 36 13 is not a bad plan, if you have a lot of day to day expenses you could look at PMI 45 10 if you want higher cover for day to day but are ok with a higher hospital excess. PMI 43 16 is a string plan to.

If you want orthopaedic cover and good day to day VHI are not price competitive, you would be looking at Prosper Advanced with Laya as the best plan but this €2,564.

ruddy1987 · 29-01-2026 03:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189294#Comment_124189294

Not a terrible value plan, if you are happy with it. My best advice would be if you are looking to save money and get similar cover have a look at My Plan 350 day to day. With the discount via the link its €1,105.72 per adult, €553 for your 20 year old and for your 14 year old €197. This would be a total of €2,961, so a nice saving. You would have some small increase in hospital excess's but would have improved day to day cover.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6gEdwpPNASPM3c0BVZUHBAUJBpCRk6VBZHVsdAABw8M%3D

bossyrossy · 29-01-2026 03:47PM

Thanks so much for your advice and time Ruddy, really appreciate your insights!

andrea1983 · 29-01-2026 04:14PM

In all honesty, most of the healthcare insurance in Ireland is a bit of a scam. With the new consultant contract, there'll be damn all left doing private practice in a few years time. And waiting lists for neurology and dermatology are pretty much same as public. If you need something done, the cross border scheme is deadly.

getoffthepot · 29-01-2026 04:35PM

Hi Ruddy,

My daughter 37 Is currently on Simply connect plus. Renewal date 1st April

She does not need Ortho.

Her husband 37 is currently on VHI PMI 35 13 and the renewal date is 1st July

He needs ortho.

They have 2 children

Child 1 age 4 in April

Child 2 is 2 months old.

can you make a recommendation for them please?

ChippingSodbury · 29-01-2026 08:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124190075#Comment_124190075

Hi, sorry for being a thicko!! If I buy the plan based on the link to Totalhealthcover, is it the same as buying directly from Irish Life (apart from the discount)? I already have a direct debit set up with Irish Life and access to the policy online via their web portal.MAybe it's better to continue via DM, whichever is more appropriate. I'm well impressed with your service so if you want to keep the instructions in public, feel free! Thanks again for the help.

ruddy1987 · 29-01-2026 10:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124190897#Comment_124190897

issue is discount is only available for new customers. So unfortunately you need to cancel existing plan to get these prices. You can sign up in the exact same way and pay via direct debit or whatever works for you.

You will get access to the same web portal you will just get a new policy number. I knows it’s a bit of a pain but that’s the world we live in where new costumers get the best deals!

geriatric · 29-01-2026 10:27PM

Hi Ruddy. Great work here for sure, thanks. I am worried though! Last August I moved myself, wife and daughter to Level health plan B 300 having been with Laya for years (most recently on their signify plan) and I've noticed that you don't seem to recommend Level health in your recommendations.

Should I be worried, have a made a mistake ?

ruddy1987 · 29-01-2026 10:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124191241#Comment_124191241

They have a price increase again on 2nd of February. The feedback on their customer service and claims experience has been fairly negative. However they have well priced plans but generally their day to day cover is very less on all plans. So if someone is on a plan with day to day cover it’s hard to recommend them on a like for like basis. Obviously if had a chat and it was clear minimal day to day usage they would definitely come into the picture at certain levels. Also they have a smaller plan range.

I don’t think you have done anything wrong….. and I would say see where pricing is at come your renewal.

I would say currently Irish life deals are very very good value for new customers but these things finally run in pricing cycles…it’s likely that both Irish life and Laya will have price increases in April and that might make level/VHI more attractive.

geriatric · 29-01-2026 11:40PM

That's good to hear Ruddy, thanks. I've found them good to deal with, just a few day to day expenses which were processed quickly. Last week I upgraded the missus to day to day and the extra charged was just for the 6 months left on policy. She's allowed half the number of claims ie 3 instead of 6. Also because my daughter has day to day as well unused visits can be transferred between them. Happy with this flexibility .

ChippingSodbury · 30-01-2026 10:07AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124191238#Comment_124191238

Thanks for the info. Last question: when it comes to renewal time next month, do I cancel the existing policy on teh day and then sign up again or do I need to leave it for a day or something?

ruddy1987 · 30-01-2026 11:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124191869#Comment_124191869

You could sign up for new plan whenever you want, should be able to sign up 30 days in advance and just contact Irish Life to cancel old plan (send them an email or give them a call).

ruddy1987 · 30-01-2026 11:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124190324#Comment_124190324

Unfortunately its too early to advise yet, Laya will have a price increase on a lot of plans I expect from the 1st of April (have increased plans at this time for the last few years). Drop a message in late Feb or early March and should have a clearer picture on things then.

ruddy1987 · 30-01-2026 11:28AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124190286#Comment_124190286

There is a reason 2/3rds of adults in Ireland have PMI. I would say you are correct that there will continue to be a decline in private patients accessing treatment in public hospitals, but most people will actually want treatment in a private hospital with a consultant of their choice on a day that suits them and in a semi private or private room. Private health insurance gives you access to treatment and that's why people pay so much for it and value it. It is no doubt an expensive product but many view it as a necessity due to the poor public system.

There may be an argument around insuring very young kids and the potential limited value to that (free Gp, no private hospital etc).

ruddy1987 · 30-01-2026 11:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189773#Comment_124189773

First thing, HG3 is a good plan and if you an get the 5% discount (via a new sign up or contacting your existing broker it remains very good value). The co payment on a hip is not the worst at €3,000, you typically pay an extra €500-€800 for ortho cover so premium savings could cover the shortfall!.

23 year old is looking at €1,256.68 for their renewal on 07 10. 66 10 is €1,198.14, 43 16 is €1,203.19 and 45 10 is €1,133.08. Any one of them should work: https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARpjM3My45OKY4OTU0LjTCkJABoTCjNjAwAJPNB-oCHMKUPjvNAQTNAWWVBwQFCQaQkZOrWW91bmcgYWR1bHQXAcPD

18 year old should probably also move to VHI on one of those plans also.

For 13 year old you could save a lot of money by moving to nurture plus €150 (but you would need to sign up as a new customer and cancel your existing policy. I would sign up for health guide 3 via the link and then call irish life to add your child to nurture plus).

Jeeves1847 · 30-01-2026 02:03PM

Thanks @ruddy1987, that’s really helpful.

fabricator · 01-02-2026 12:26PM

HI Ruddy,

Wife 61, diagnosed Psoriatic Arthritis 7 years ago, under control with treatment.

Myself 59, gout but not too bad now with Alupurinol.

Both have medical cards and on invalidity pensions.

We currently have Laya Precision 600 connect, renewal is €2524.00 from March 1st.

It will be a struggle to pay this.

Would there any other less expensive plan

I don't even know if we are on the right plan for our age and conditions.

ruddy1987 · 01-02-2026 02:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124197335#Comment_124197335

I would be looking at My Plan 500 (€1951 https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=179H3D1)

or My plan 500 day to day (€2,070 for both https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=180H3D1 )

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6gIBwpPMoM0BVs0BV5UHBAUJBpCRk6VBZHVsdAABw8M%3D

rogeyspoint · 01-02-2026 06:42PM

Hi Ruddy1987,

Thanks for the great advice that I have been reading on the forum. I have an query if you could please advise on. Both my wife and myself are on the ILH 4D Health 4. We have no kids and are in our mid 60's. Our policy is due to be renewed.

We have been on it since 2023 (€1744) and it has increased by €1000 over last 3 yrs. This year's renewal at €2385 per policy.

We find it overall a very good policy but was wondering if there was similar at a lesser price. It has good coverage and covers day to day health expenses, scans, hospitals (semi private is fine), ortho, hi-tec cardiac, urgent care.

By the way, if a policy renews, is there a cooling off period?

Thanks.

brodsy · 01-02-2026 07:06PM

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, dental, chiropodist etc. Family history of heart, stroke and breast cancer, so screening would probably be down the line. Have found in the past that often more things aren't covered under that policy then are. What would you recommend please?

ruddy1987 · 01-02-2026 08:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124198426#Comment_124198426

The 4D plans where a great range of plans but they are just gone to expensive now imo.

The best alternative would be health guide 3. It’s €1,971 if you take it out as a new customer ( https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=169H3D1 ). You can cancel your current plan within 14 days of renewal with no penalty.

The main differences in the plan are that your excess for overnight increases from €50 per stay to €75 and co payment for ortho increases to €3,000. Other than that day to day over is very similar (slightly improvements to dental and physio). One other point to note is that you loose your personalised packages.

But for the savings it does make sense for most to move.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTI0OcKQkAGhMKM2MDAAk80H6gIBwpIazQFFlQcEBQkGkJGTpUFkdWx0AAHDww%3D%3D

Private Medical Insurance

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