Private Medical Insurance

geecee · 05-03-2026 02:19PM

Hi @ruddy1987 like others I am seeking your help on a relatives insurance renewal.

She is currently with VHI on Enhanced Care 150 day to day. Renewal next month is 1453

She is a female in early 50s, has osteoporosis so orthopedics are important. As is semi private care in private hospitals (Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny). She has an issue with a cyst that is under active treatment by a specialist, so will want to stick with VHI for this renewal.

Any suggestions for a plan that would give her more bang for her buck?

Kenny Pocket · 05-03-2026 06:15PM

Hi Ruddy,

My 85 year old father-in-law is on IL Health Plan 08 which is very expensive at over €4,200. He has been on this plan for a few years now.

Can you recommend a better plan if he takes on a higher excess for ortho etc.

Many thanks

ruddy1987 · 05-03-2026 08:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124283385#Comment_124283385

I would be looking at enhanced care 350 day to day with VHI. There is a 10% discount on that plan now online.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTg5OcKQkAGhMKM2NTAAk80H6gMFwpLNAUjNATaVBwQFCQaQkZOlQWR1bHQAAcPD

ruddy1987 · 05-03-2026 08:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124287477#Comment_124287477

Thats actually a well priced plan if i am being honest. They have 10% of on it online (https://www.vhi.ie/health-insurance/plandescription?coverset=LIFEC150DD&profileId=individuals) at the minute so if renewing better to cancel and take out a new policy!

Having cover for orthopaedics will add massive costs, I would argue that we are getting to the stage that people might be cheaper pocketing the savings and putting them towards orthopaedic procedures if required. If she wants to stick with VHI only and are looking to improve cover you would be looking at PMI 53 10 which is priced at €1,607 and has cover in high techs and improved day tod ay.

ruddy1987 · 05-03-2026 08:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124288284#Comment_124288284

One of those where you cant go to far wrong as the current plan is so over priced. Taking on some excess on ortho will make a massive difference, Health Guide 3 has €3,000 co payment (versus €1,000 on current plan). If you cancel your existing and buy a new plan via link https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=169H3D1 he will get a further 5% discount bringing cost to €1,971 (saving c€2,250)

This one is an absolutely no brainer, outpatient cover better on HG3 also generally and hospital cover outside of co payment increase similar or better.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTg5OcKQkAGhMKM2NTAAk80H6gMFwpTMv80BRc0BRs0BRJUHBAUJBpCRk6VBZHVsdAABw8M%3D

Please please help him make the change as he is getting horrendous value for money.

geecee · 05-03-2026 09:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124288581#Comment_124288581

Thanks Ruddy, much appreciated

Does cancelling the existing policy and then renewing bring in waiting periods for pre-existing conditions?

ruddy1987 · 05-03-2026 09:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124288700#Comment_124288700

no impact at all… you can switch insurer or plans or even cancel and restart … once you have a gap of less than 13 weeks no impact on your waiting periods….. that’s the big one never let your insurance lapse for more than 13 weeks or you are forced to start again like a new customer.

return guide · 06-03-2026 10:12AM

Hello @ruddy1987 thank you for your help throughout this thread, I have one more for you.

My wife and I are on Laya Total Health Complete for the last 6-7 years, both late 50's with my knees giving trouble on long walks.

Any recommendations? thanks again.

RG

feelings · 06-03-2026 10:25AM

I just wanted to thank ruddy for his advice, changed plans and already I have been able to claim back more than the kids cost me per year. Should have moved a long time ago!

ruddy1987 · 06-03-2026 10:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124289768#Comment_124289768

Appreciate you taking the time to post kind words. This is exactly the post that puts a smile on my face, people getting some value for their premiums paid :)

ruddy1987 · 06-03-2026 11:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124289733#Comment_124289733

Short term fix would be to cancel your current plan from renewal and take out prosper advanced online effective 31st March. Staying on current plan should not be considered given its over €3,250 per adult. Prosper advanced annually is €2,763.55 is taken out 31st of March and has full ortho cover and improvements all over.

An alternative approach to consider……Better Select with Irish Life ( https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=156H3D1 ) if you take that out effective 31st of March price is €1,866. It has a lower day case excess than your current plan, lower hospital excess for inpatient excluding the co payment for orthopaedic. However this co payment is only €2,000. You would be saving more than that over two years if you moved plan. Also you only say your knee's so potentially your wife doesn't even need this cover. Better select also has better refunds for Gp's, Consultants and also includes a personalised package like Travel Insurance.

I think taking on a co payment for ortho and banking the saving is the smart move now the cost of full cover is getting so out of hand.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTg5OcKQkAGhMKM2NTAAk80H6gMGwpMgzQE4YpUHBAUJBpCRk6VBZHVsdAABw8M%3D

chillinpenguin · 06-03-2026 12:22PM

Hi Ruddy, I am 38 Male currently on Signfiy with Laya any options for a better deal? No medical issues, the only thing I would like to keep is the online GP as it's very handy. What other options would be worth looking at?

Get In There · 06-03-2026 02:10PM

Hi Rudy. 42M currently on Assure Vitality policy offered by Laya. Due for renewal 01 April @ €807. No medical issues.

My wife (41F) has her own policy Public Care + with VHI. Our two young sons (6 & 4) are on her policy. She paid approx €800 and it expires 01 July.

None of us have existing medical issues. I'd like to bring the family all under one plan that would allow any of us to get any treatment (if ever needed) in a timely manner rather than go on lengthy waiting lists.

Can increase our budget to €2k ish or thereabouts. Any options worth looking at?

ruddy1987 · 06-03-2026 03:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124290113#Comment_124290113

Sorry would you mind confirming renewal date? There are a number of price increases and benefit changes happening from 1st of April so be good to have that information.

ruddy1987 · 06-03-2026 03:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124290386#Comment_124290386

If you want to consolidate at this point the only way would be for you to go on the VHI plan from your renewal date (ie get added to your wife and kids policy) and then look to review options together from 1st of July. You can join on any plan when you join VHI but I would say ito ask them about one of the enhanced care plans.

You as a family could then collectively review all your options for the 1st of July renewal.

chillinpenguin · 06-03-2026 03:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124290649#Comment_124290649

Its actually the first of May i have just checked.

ruddy1987 · 06-03-2026 03:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124290694#Comment_124290694

Id be having a look at the enhanced care plans with VHI, their is a 10% discount on these if bought online.

See below plans id be looking at:

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTg5OcKQkAGhMKM2NTAAk80H6gMGwpTNASfNAUjNAQzNAX2VBwQFCQaQkZOlQWR1bHQAAcPD

Just note that Laya pricing is current so Laya plans will increase and benefits will slightly change from 1st of April.

Kenny Pocket · 06-03-2026 04:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124288598#Comment_124288598

Thanks very much Ruddy. Hopefully when I show him your reply, he will make the switch.

suicra05 · 06-03-2026 05:59PM

Hi @ruddy1987. Thanks for all your insightful advice to date.

I was wondering could you advise. Myself and my wife are 65 years old. My wife is on Simply Connect Plus with Laya and I am on Simply Health Extra. Simply Connect Plus has gone very expensive so I am thinking of changing us both to Simply Health extra with Laya. Not really sure about the excess for orthopedic cover!!. What age do you typically need this type of cover? If I move my wife, does she have a waiting period in the future if she doesn't have any pre-existing orthopedic condition? We are both healthly from an orthopedic viewpoint at present. Is Simply Health extra a good plan or is their a better plan at similar price range. Thanks in advance for your advice.

ruddy1987 · 08-03-2026 10:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124291194#Comment_124291194

would you mind letting me know your renewal date. It’s just that a lot of changes from 1st of April so if I know your renewal date can advise correctly.

return guide · 08-03-2026 10:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124289882#Comment_124289882

Thank you @ruddy1987

magmay1 · 08-03-2026 10:35PM

Hi Ruddy,

I have looked at HIA and your expertise advice would be wonderful.

Family Health Ins with VHI renewal date 1/4/26, currently we are all on PMI 43 16. F Adult 59, Son 25, YA 23. I was looking at PMI 53/10 and Enhanced Care 150 day to day, any recommendations or alternatives are appreciated. Our day to day claims average €200 each with just outpatient appt once or twice a year.

My husband renewal was 1/1/26 Company Plan Plus 1.3, unfortunately, we did not get to review before the renewal date, so will pencil in to look at that in November.

Thank you so much.

amber2 · 09-03-2026 10:38AM

Hello Ruddy, thank you for your help with our family policy much appreciated saved a fortune.
Have a friend whose renewal is up start of May with laya 2 adults both age 63, two adult sons age 22 on Prosper and 32 year old on Assure protect.
Their current plan is simply connect, can you recommend any similar but cheaper plan with Laya or open to moving to another provider.

I know May is a bit away but are they best canceling their existing policy and taking out a new policy before the end of March to avoid the April increase. Thank you.

suicra05 · 09-03-2026 02:16PM

@ruddy1987.

My renewal date was 1st March but I have 14 days to change my mind if required.

Regards

ruddy1987 · 09-03-2026 05:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124291194#Comment_124291194

As you are a 1st of March renewal people on Simply Connect Plus should move to Prosper Advanced, €2,563.55 and much much better cover than Simply Connect Plus. The main reason to be on these plans is for 100% ortho cover.

If you reduce your cover to a plan with orthopaedic shortfalls and want to upgrade in the future you can, but you must pay the higher premium for a plan that fully covers ortho for 2 years before you can make a claim. As such you need to always be looking two years ahead for potential medical items. If dropping down i would be looking at plans like Inspire €1652 or
Simply Health Plus €1789.

ruddy1987 · 09-03-2026 05:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124297723#Comment_124297723

So one important point is any price increase will not kick in until their renewal, so no need to take any action in the short term. For the adult sons..i would say time for them to break free…but if parents want to continue paying for the 22 year old id recommend one of the enhanced care plans with VHI and to purchase it online and get the 10% discount. This would also suit the 32 year old.

Main attraction with Simply Connect is that it is has full ortho…if this is a requirement very limited options of where they can move to and they will have a big increase at the renewal. Only option might be to consider taking on an ortho shortfall and I would recommend VHI or Irish Life if this was the road they were looking to go down as most Laya plans will only have 60% ortho cover from 1st of April.

ruddy1987 · 09-03-2026 05:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124296976#Comment_124296976

PMI 43 16 remains strong despite the price increase, its one of the few VHI plans with no upper caps on outpatient expenses from doctors and consultants and €1 excess.

PMI 53 10 is good value but excludes cover for the minor injury clinics or screening. Aside from that well priced. Similarly Enhanced care plans are good value, recommend taking out a new policy only for anyone going on them to get the 10% new policy discount.

magmay1 · 09-03-2026 09:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124298920#Comment_124298920

Thank you so much Ruddy, that is really helpful, it's good to know I am on the right track and will make a decision before renewal.

return guide · 09-03-2026 10:04PM

Thanks @ruddy1987 for all your help.

Legit_ie · 10-03-2026 01:16PM

Hi @ruddy1987 ,

Thanks for all you are doing on this thread, you just be exhausted at this point.

Situation with my family is:

Two adults, 56m, 41f - Inspire. Kids 17, 6 and 1 on Flex125 Explore (the 2 youngest are free.

Healthwise - ongoing cardiac for myself with various treatments over last 2 years amounting to over 30k insured cost. Lots of consultant visits, and now urology consults on top of cardiac. Wife, no issues, but ortho likely to be something down the road but not immediate horizon of 2 years. I know the ortho cover is being cut with the Inspire plan.

I think you mentioned somewhere that the flex 125 explore plan was bad value, but the younger 2 being free I wonder is there a better option for some cover for the 555 cost for the plan for the 17 yo.

Private Medical Insurance

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