Private Medical Insurance

The Ayatolla · 21-03-2026 09:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124330626#Comment_124330626

I’d say the outpatient cover of 75% for the diagnosed child is crucial; the rest I can do without really I think for the other three family members?

ruddy1987 · 21-03-2026 09:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124330857#Comment_124330857

I’d be having a look at PMI 24 10 for this child.

If looking to making savings but still retain decent day to day with 50% back and no caps something like PMI 43 16 might be attractive.

Big issue with Layas offering from 1st of April is the MASSIVE shortfalls on most plans for orthopaedics so I’d be saying move to a plan with a 20% stortfall (VHI) fixed co payment (ILH).

channelsurfer2 · 21-03-2026 09:49PM

My flex explore 500 is due 1st may now with a 20% co pay and near 15%price increase if i dont cancel and do new customer etc.

Was looking at irish life myplan 350 as an alternative before may 1st its 40euro cheaper pm. Is there any drop in level i cover? I cant see any tbh and only interested in ortho and cardiac in hi tec.

ruddy1987 · 21-03-2026 10:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124330947#Comment_124330947

my plans have a €2,500 co-payment on certain cardiac & orthopaedic procedures in hi tech hospitals. So if that’s what you’re looking at maybe not the right fit. That copayment is at the lower end for orthopaedic.

if you want to have no co payment on cardiac on high tech have a look at benefit ( https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/health-insurance-quote?preselectedPlan=153H3D1) . Also at €2,000 co payment this is very low against shortfalls.

channelsurfer2 · 21-03-2026 10:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124330980#Comment_124330980

Not linking?

ruddy1987 · 21-03-2026 10:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124330991#Comment_124330991

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

Try that one …working my end so not sure issue.

Other plan to consider if you want full high tech cardiac would be health action 1. But co payment on orthopaedic is high at €4,000.

channelsurfer2 · 21-03-2026 10:54PM

Thsnks Ruddy much appreciated

Geuze · 23-03-2026 01:06PM

We are a family of two adults and two children with Laya, due to Laya having a clinic nearby, within 15km.

As VHI have opened a clinic, also nearby, I suggested to my spouse that now we could shop around.

The answer was no, so we are staying with Laya.

Our current plan is Online Discount June 2020, with both parents and the older child on the Signify scheme, and the younger child on Flex 125 Explore, the renewal is €2,968 on 1st April.

Signify = 1,371 per adult and 226 per child

Flex 125 Explore = nil cost

I note that there are some changes to benefits:

I would be really grateful for any comments or advice.

ruddy1987 · 23-03-2026 01:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124334470#Comment_124334470

If you are looking to stay with Laya not much change i can recommend as all is fairly ok. If premium savings needed could look at Access Health but lower cover. Similarly marginal savings by moving child/adult to Signify Care. See HIA link.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARpjE0NC42OKYyODExLjHCkJABoTCjNjUwAJPNB-oEAcKTzQF9zQEMzQFYlQcEBQkGkJGTpUNoaWxkAwHDww%3D%3D

fortwilliam · 23-03-2026 01:33PM

Hi all,

We are a family of two adults her mid 40's him mid 50's

We had corporate cover for 20 years but due to employment changes have not for the last 2.5 years.

I'm now self employed and would like some advice on best options, she had a thyroid issue, he has COPD, nothing else really.

Will we be penalised for not being insured the last 2.5 years?

Any tips on best options out there?

Thanks in advance.

ruddy1987 · 23-03-2026 06:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124334527#Comment_124334527

Yes is the short answer, two items:

Waiting periods will have to be served again as if a new customer
If over 34 you will have to pay a loading of 2% per year for every year over 34 with no cover. Credit will be given for past periods of cover

The cover then would depend on what you are looking to have cover, entry level public hospitals only, mid level semi private cover in private hospital with limited/no day to day cover and higher levels of cover that have private room cover with high day to day cover. So lots of variables!

tenreds · 23-03-2026 11:06PM

Hi Ruddy, Haven’t a clue about health insurance never had it before. Looking for a policy for myself and my wife, we’re both mid fifties, I work in NI so am entitled to a medical card as a cross border worker and have one, my wife works in republic so hasn’t got one, we both think we should take out a policy but trying to figure out which one is nearly impossible especially as I have the medical card, but I think I would like the option of going private as well. Any suggestions for us, thanks in advance

MONarmy · 24-03-2026 03:32PM

Hi Ruddy,

I've recently left my job, and I'm on a company scheme with VHI for my partner and I. There's about 8 months left before renewal, so I have an invoice of about 2,400 euros for the remaining 8 months, as the company covered it until now.

The VHI scheme is PMI 67 10 - can you tell me is there another insurer giving similar cover for cheaper to this scheme, or am I as well to pay the money due and look at my options again at the end of the year?

The only real concern I'd have is cardiac cover, nothing major, it's just a concern with family history etc

ruddy1987 · 24-03-2026 09:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124335919#Comment_124335919

A few questions, what age are you as the loadings might have a big impact on any initial plan selection?

ruddy1987 · 24-03-2026 09:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124337308#Comment_124337308

PMI 67 10 would be viewed as a good value corporate plan. I would be saying stay where you are until the next renewal date and have a look at it again.

MONarmy · 24-03-2026 09:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124338191#Comment_124338191

Cheers ruddy, much appreciated for the feedback.

I've read through a good bit of this thread. You are doing mighty work simplifying what has become a horribly complex health insurance world.

tenreds · 24-03-2026 09:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124338186#Comment_124338186

Hi, I’m 54, wife is 54 as well,

Thanks

jethrothe2nd · 25-03-2026 03:33PM

Hi Ruddy

I would really appreciate any advice on my current position:

Currently on Myplan 350 with Irish Life - 2 adults (46 and 51) and 2 kids (12 and 14). This is up for renewal on 13th April. Currently paying €225 a month, and this will go up to €247 having gone up already the previous year.

The ever increasing cost is a key consideration. I am strongly considering dropping the insurance for the kids, and maintaining cover for my wife and I. While both adults are both fit and in good health, there have been cardiac issues on one side of the family, and joint issues on the other, so my priority is hospital cover rather than day to day cover for GPs etc. Neither of the kids have had any health issues to date.

At this point I have tied myself up in knots comparing providers, plans and level of cover, and I can't see the wood for the trees. However, in general I still think that Myplan 350 seems ok for us?

ruddy1987 · 25-03-2026 03:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124339940#Comment_124339940

My plan is still a good plan and will suit most people’s needs. My only advice would be to cancel current plan and take out a plan as a new customer and you will get the new customer discount which will wipe out most of the increase and you will have the same cover.

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

Kalimah · 25-03-2026 04:29PM

I got my Irish Life rennewal this morning.4D Health 1 for two adults and one young adult. It was €358 - now €462 which is becoming out of reach now. I had a look at the Irish Life BeneFit Access 500 which is €277 a month. I think I can live with that. I'm only thinking of orthopaedic and optical benefits as my husband is a couple of years older and may need cataract surgery in the next year or two. It looks like the copayment for some of the procedures are €2k on the BeneFit Access 500 rather than €1500 on the 4D Health 1.

jethrothe2nd · 25-03-2026 09:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124339998#Comment_124339998

@ruddy1987 I really appreciate that, thank you

Zimmerframe · 25-03-2026 11:20PM

Hi Ruddy, just happened on this thread after getting my renewal "soon due" email.

Had to find out what plan, I was on, didn't even know.

It is Irish Life "Select Starter" - €1384, two adults 58 and 54 years old, no kids.

Any reccomendations ?

ruddy1987 · 27-03-2026 08:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124340119#Comment_124340119

I would say it’s worth looking at a plan called better select. If your likely to have expenses this has super day to day and no ophthalmic co payment.

For the young adult you should look at a my plan in their own name (and get new member discount)

ruddy1987 · 27-03-2026 08:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124340974#Comment_124340974

I would be looking to move to first cover extra which is a few hundred less. Just note it’s a public hospital plan only so it is limited.

If you did want to upgrade to have cover for private hospitals you would be looking at my plan 500.

hia link

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTg5OcKQkAGhMKM2NTAAk80H6gQCwpPM1c0BTM0BVpUHBAUJBpCRk6VBZHVsdAABw8M%3D

don marco · 29-03-2026 05:17PM

Hi Ruddy,

I currently have a 4D future plan from Irish Life Health which is paid for by my employer. I also have my wife on this plan along with my three children (one young adult, two teenagers) and I have to pay their premiums.

Coming up to renewal in a few months - are there any other plans you would recommend that would be better value with Irish life health or other providers for my wife and children? Thanks.

ruddy1987 · 30-03-2026 02:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124349355#Comment_124349355

The big question here is does your employer plan have 10% discount, as this will sway the advice. If a larger plan it really should with a decent adviser. What was your last renewal date and the rate being charged and I can work out if there is a discount on the plan.

don marco · 30-03-2026 10:21PM

Thanks last renewal date was June 30th. It does indeed look like a 10% employer group discount is applied so after that discount adult gross premium was €1850, young adult €925 and child €486.

mykidtractor · 31-03-2026 05:55PM

Hi Ruddy,

Alternative please to Laya Prime. (renewal is tomorrow)

Increase from 2024 to 2191 (each) overall increase €334 ( two adults), plus increase in specificied orthopedic/opthalmology shortfall increase from 20% to 40%.

Both adults 55 years.

Are there any better alternatives, with similar or better ccover for in or around 2k each

Thank you.

cunla · 31-03-2026 07:25PM

Hi Rudy

You are doing great work here! Just looking for some advice for my sister. She has been on VHI company plan for few years and up for renewal. Are there any other VHI plans with better cover for same/lesser price? She is in her 50s, wants to stay with VHI and needs cover for Kerry/Cork/Limerick hospitals. Orthopedic not needed.

tax_tutor1 · 31-03-2026 07:27PM

Evening Ruddy,

two adults late 50's, one child, southern half of country, currently with Laya

Control 600 total-m
Simply Health Plus-f
Inspire plus- child

Renewal date 1st April. Ortho and consultants important for f, cardo for male, no issue on hospital type rooms,

Looking at Connect Simplicity for the two adults- the 20% shortfall is not great. Signify for the child

Any other plans/insurers we should consider?

Thanks for all the great advice on this thread- have read it!

Private Medical Insurance

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