Do you have health insurance?

The Mighty Quinn · 27-01-2021 2:04pm #1

I don't, but trying to rectify that.

I'm mid 30s, can finally afford some cover I think, and there's a child in the house and one on the way that makes it seem to me I'm foolish not to have health cover going forward.

It's bamboozling trying to work out what policy I need, there are a dizzying array of them. Even the HIA comparison tool is confusing to me to use (any suggestions on "best" policy for two adults and two infants I'm all ears!).

Geuze · 27-01-2021 4:40pm

I am fairly good at comparing elec, telecoms, mortgages, etc., but the number of health insurance plans leaves me confused.

The tyranny of choice.

There are way too many plans.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Ask over on AAM.

_Brian · 27-01-2021 4:42pm

It’s expensive but wouldn’t be without it. Have no doubt that the early intervention it has allowed us has saved my OH life, hard to put a price on that.

Smee_Again · 27-01-2021 4:49pm

My work pays for mine so that removes the element of choice which I am grateful for.

And my fiance rang VHI and asked for the one with the best maternity cover because we knew we'd be trying soon so we picked that one.

BraveDonut · 27-01-2021 4:52pm

Also lucky enough that my company provides health insurance.

We were on holiday in Florida a few years ago when my wife got sick.

A visit to the emergency room, a load of tests and an overnight stay came in at about $20,000

Health insurance and travel insurance covered it.

So for me - "Don't leave home without it!"

jimmy86 · 27-01-2021 4:55pm

The Mighty Quinn wrote: »

I don't, but trying to rectify that.

I'm mid 30s, can finally afford some cover I think, and there's a child in the house and one on the way that makes it seem to me I'm foolish not to have health cover going forward.

It's bamboozling trying to work out what policy I need, there are a dizzying array of them. Even the HIA comparison tool is confusing to me to use (any suggestions on "best" policy for two adults and two infants I'm all ears!).

Just a point to note, for every year you go above your 35th birthday they add a 2% loading to the premium.. so if you're 40 when you first take out a policy it is an extra 10% and will be for as long as you hold a policy. I think it's to encourage people to take out policies when they are younger.

27-01-2021 4:55pm

No, it's a scam.

biko · 27-01-2021 4:58pm

Yes, quite expensive but has nice things like private room etc included.
Have had use of it on occasion through the years, nothing major thankfully.

Considering how much it has cost me and how much I have used it I'd say the insurance company still owes me an open heart surgery

The Mighty Quinn · 27-01-2021 5:00pm

Deleted User wrote: »

No, it's a scam.

I had a feeling that viewpoint would show up, hence inclusion in poll.
But... why is it a scam?

Yes, if you've an immediate emergency it's the same care with or without, but if you've something that requires intervention, the time difference between receiving that care publicly or privately is literally life saving at times.

I think if you are paying forever and not using it, you might feel like it's a waste. But it's that way with all insurances until you need them and then you're sorted.

Mr_Muffin · 27-01-2021 5:01pm

Get it through work for me and the family.

Not sure I would get it if I had to pay.

Antares35 · 27-01-2021 5:07pm

Smee_Again wrote: »

My work pays for mine so that removes the element of choice which I am grateful for.

And my fiance rang VHI and asked for the one with the best maternity cover because we knew we'd be trying soon so we picked that one.

Out of curiosity, what are the benefits of the maternity cover? I've gone public on both and couldn't fault the care, just wondering what extra it provides.

Gregor Samsa · 27-01-2021 5:12pm

Company pays for it (I then pay BIK on that, so it's not free to me, but much cheaper than paying for it myself). I've hardly ever had to make a claim on it at all - barely ever even need to go to the GP. But I'm starting to come to the age that the chances are increasing that things are going to start going wrong, so I may end up needing it.

I don't have it for my kids. I would have if they had any conditions, but thankfully they're healthy. Some people in work seem to have their kids at the doctor every month. Mine have only been once or twice in their lives.

Thelonious Monk · 27-01-2021 5:14pm

My rockin' bod and clean diet is all the health insurance I need

Antares35 · 27-01-2021 5:14pm

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

Company pays for it (I then pay BIK on that, so it's not free to me, but much cheaper than paying for it myself). I've hardly ever had to make a claim on it at all - barely ever even need to go to the GP. But I'm starting to come to the age that the chances are increasing that things are going to start going wrong, so I may end up needing it.

I don't have it for my kids. I would have if they had any conditions, but thankfully they're healthy. Some people in work seem to have their kids at the doctor every month. Mine have only been once or twice in their lives.

Kids have GP visit cards until they are six anyway

McGinniesta · 27-01-2021 5:15pm

F**ck no

Stevieluvsye · 27-01-2021 5:15pm

Have a family policy with Laya Works out €3.5k roughly per annum, but again comoany pay for it

Stan27 · 27-01-2021 5:16pm

Most important thing i have tbh

jester77 · 27-01-2021 5:19pm

No choice, mandatory where I live. Paying almost €650 a month for one of the more basic insurances, have to cover the first €600 or €800 of medical costs per year before I can use it. Not sure of the number as I've never gotten close to that. Children are extra on top, dental not covered.

o1s1n · 27-01-2021 5:22pm

I have had two surgeries over the last decade while on private healthcare - both instances I ended up in a public ward because the private ones were all full up.

Towards the end of the second stay they moved me to a semi private ward, but I was over the worst of it at that stage and getting ready to leave the hospital.

Cancelled my health insurance after that. Not worth it at all IMO.

BraveDonut · 27-01-2021 5:22pm

I saw a recent facebook post from a former colleague based in the US and he was alluding to a premium for him and his family of ~$25,000 per annum !!! :eek:

doublejobbing 2 · 27-01-2021 5:24pm

Probably attended a doctor five times in the last 20 years and have never been hospitalised over night.

I am absolutely mystified as to why anybody would require it. 200 a month for the possibility you might need a private bed?

BraveDonut · 27-01-2021 5:26pm

Some people are mystified as with all insurance you don't need it until you need it

bb12 · 27-01-2021 5:27pm

BraveDonut wrote: »

I saw a recent facebook post from a former colleague based in the US and he was alluding to a premium for him and his family of ~$25,000 per annum !!! :eek:

most workplaces in the US cover the cost of health insurance, it's usually part of the package.

over the past couple of years family members who don't have any insurance had several emergency visits to hospital including a stint in intensive care...all public. and they were all taken care of just the same as if they had had private insurance. so i don't see the point

rosmoke · 27-01-2021 5:27pm

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

Company pays for it (I then pay BIK on that, so it's not free to me, but much cheaper than paying for it myself). I've hardly ever had to make a claim on it at all - barely ever even need to go to the GP. But I'm starting to come to the age that the chances are increasing that things are going to start going wrong, so I may end up needing it.

I don't have it for my kids. I would have if they had any conditions, but thankfully they're healthy. Some people in work seem to have their kids at the doctor every month. Mine have only been once or twice in their lives.

And then there's a medical insurance tax relief of max 20% out of 1000e, so (200e tax relief) for an adult policy, so it's almost free.

I have it for all family paid by work, I wouldn't have paid for it myself, no chance.
Didn't even need to use it for maternity cover.

Gregor Samsa · 27-01-2021 5:29pm

doublejobbing 2 wrote: »

Probably attended a doctor five times in the last 20 years and have never been hospitalised over night.

I am absolutely mystified as to why anybody would require it. 200 a month for the possibility you might need a private bed?

It's the waiting lists. Go public, and you could be waiting months for an MRI or meeting with a Consultant (probably not the Consultant themselves, one of their junior staff).

Go private, you'll likely have the appointment next week, and you'll most likely be talking to the big cheese themselves.

At the very least, it'll get you diagnosed and onto treatment quicker. Most of the time, that'll mean less time being sick/worried/in pain. In some extreme circumstances, that could be the difference between life and death.

Once you are diagnosed, or if you have to go to A&E, there's very little difference between public and private. Some things like some of the more specialist cardiac treatments in the likes of the Blackrock clinic being the exception there.

Thelonious Monk · 27-01-2021 5:35pm

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

It's the waiting lists. Go public, and you could be waiting months for an MRI or meeting with a Consultant (probably not the Consultant themselves, one of their junior staff).

Go private, you'll likely have the appointment next week, and you'll most likely be talking to the big cheese themselves.

At the very least, it'll get you diagnosed and onto treatment quicker. Most of the time, that'll mean less time being sick/worried/in pain. In some extreme circumstances, that could be the difference between life and death.

Once you are diagnosed, or if you have to go to A&E, there's very little difference between public and private. Some things like some of the more specialist cardiac treatments in the likes of the Blackrock clinic being the exception there.

I had to see a specialist consultant in Blackrock a couple of years ago and had no health insurance, I just had to pay 200 quid or something to see him and then he referred me to tests in Beaumont quite soon after that.
Still not sure how it works, can you just pay a premium to see these guys when you need to instead of having private health insurance?

Antares35 · 27-01-2021 5:37pm

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

It's the waiting lists. Go public, and you could be waiting months for an MRI or meeting with a Consultant (probably not the Consultant themselves, one of their junior staff).

Go private, you'll likely have the appointment next week, and you'll most likely be talking to the big cheese themselves.

At the very least, it'll get you diagnosed and onto treatment quicker. Most of the time, that'll mean less time being sick/worried/in pain. In some extreme circumstances, that could be the difference between life and death.

I suppose some people figure they will just pay privately to see consultants etc. if they have to. I had maybe three scares (all turned out to be minor issues) over the last say 2-3 years. I paid privately each time and was seen straight away. e.g. endoscopy in the Mater private was circa 800. So, several months health insurance? And I claimed 20% back. Then again, if anything had been diagnosed...

I am curious about people paying privately for maternity cover. I think we have one of the best antenatal care systems tbh. I can understand if it's a complicated pregnancy but if it's normal with no red flags, the only benefit seems to be seeing a consultant and having a chance of a private room. I opted for midwife led care in any event because it's better continuity of care and it's a very popular option. Most straightforward births you're out the next day, and a private room is completely pointless because the small hairless monkey keeps you awake anyway

Corruptedmorals · 27-01-2021 5:38pm

Yes, always have done. Early 30's. I work in public outpatients...it's really not worth having to rely on the public lists. My policy has done little claims here and there but was invaluable 10 years ago and paid out a lot.

Cornmarket are great to help you narrow it down. There are policies that focus on giving back portions of GP visits, consultant visits, physio that kind of thing and the policies that focus on inpatient claims. Some policies are not worth it and won't cover you in a regular private hospital so it's important to get help choosing a plan. If you start too low and then upgrade you will have to serve waiting periods anyway.

Of course you can pay private and see any consultant you want for a visit, the problem is it can be a lottery for further follow-up care. If you need a procedure done as a day case that could be under 1k easily. Not so much if it requires a several day stay. Other tests can be very expensive to pay for, or the consultant might have no option but to place you on a waiting list for the procedure in a public hospital.

mfceiling · 27-01-2021 5:48pm

doublejobbing 2 wrote: »

Probably attended a doctor five times in the last 20 years and have never been hospitalised over night.

I am absolutely mystified as to why anybody would require it. 200 a month for the possibility you might need a private bed?

I'll tell you why.

We have it through my wife's work. I had a savage hernia pain in 2019. Was told the wait for public treatment was anything over a year. I got a referral to see a specialist within a day and when he examined me he said "I can do that in the next couple of weeks"....that easy.

Just before Christmas my knee gave way walking down a flight of stairs. Went straight to the vhi clinic where they diagnosed the damage, put a brace on it and gave me a date for an MRI scan. Guess when the date was? 4 weeks, 4 months? No, 4 days.
Got the scan back with the damage and it was emailed to a specialist in the sports clinic in Santry. I went to see him 2 weeks ago and tomorrow morning he will operate on it and I'll be back out on my feet tomorrow evening.

A work colleague has damage to his nerves in his hand and was told there is between a 3 and 4 year waiting list for the operation. Alternatively he can pay for it....12 thousand.

crisco10 · 27-01-2021 5:49pm

Provided for my family through work, still pay BIK which isn't insignificant.

Luckily, haven't had to use it in an Emergency. But have had plenty of occasion to get life affecting (but not essential) treatment. E.g. shoulder surgery to cure chronic pain from a sports injury. I was told that if I was a public patient, I'd basically never be treated since it was "only" sore.

Similar to mfceiling, the lead times on all the treatments were short.

Foweva Awone · 27-01-2021 5:53pm

Yep. Used to think it was a waste of money, but my parents always insisted we had to have health insurance. And would have always helped us out if we were having tough times and couldn't afford it ourselves.

Just as well ... If you were to have asked me 8 years ago whether I needed cover in case of mental illness, I would've said my mental health was completely fine, and I was unlikely to ever have any major mental health issues, certainly nothing that couldn't be handled by the GP if it did arise.

But then my mental health imploded with the birth of my son 7 years ago. And over the past 7 years, I've had maybe 20 admissions to psychiatric wards. Most were longer term stays (for weeks/months at a time) and, because I have health insurance, I've always been able to get in immediately in a crisis, and was always under the same team and consultant. You simply don't get that continuity of care in the public system, and you certainly don't get taken care of quickly enough when there's a crisis.

2020 was the first year where I had no inpatient admissions. I'm pretty stable these days, with the help of a lot of medication and talk therapy and DBT skills etc. I still see my consultant (the same one) every three months as an outpatient, and she knows me and my care plan inside out.

You can never know for sure it won't happen to you, whether it's a mental health issue or something physical. I'd almost certainly be dead years ago if I didn't have health insurance. Would never be without it now.

Do you have health insurance?

Do you have health insurance? 220 votes

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