Health Insurance Cheap health polices

moneybox

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In recent days there has been a rush of people taking out new polices in order to beat the deadline and associated loading on premiums for those aged 35 and over.

Many of the lower cost polices averaging around €400 focus on offering a private or semi private bed in a public hospital, however, on closer examination that is about all these plans offer. People are shocked to find they rarely jump the queue for the procedures they require and they have to join the waiting list like everyone else.

Are people being misled into taking out these polices thinking they will have faster access to treatment when the reality is very different?


Leading ophthalmologist Professor Michael O'Keeffe, of the Mater Hospital in Dublin, said he was seeing two to three insured patients a week in this predicament. "I am seeing more and more patients upset. When they look to their insurance for cover they want, it is not there. They are being sold these policies with a view that they have special privileges in public hospital.

"They may be covered for a private bed in a public hospital and believe they can jump the queue," said Prof O'Keeffe.

"But they are finding they have to wait in line and that they receive no privileges when it comes to quicker access."


http://www.independent.ie/irish-new...ng-patients-on-to-waiting-lists-31069277.html
 
Moneybox,

The issue you raise has been highlighted at various times on both radio and newspaper articles by Dermot Goode etc in the run up
to the 30th April deadline. It was also mentioned on this forum a few times recently, and the cheap alternatives discussed in detail.

In fairness to Prof O'Keeffe who first brought it to the public's attention in a radio interview which was taken seriously at the time, as
he's on the frontline dealing with the public everyday. This issue he highlighted came about as a direct result of the introduction of bed re-designation in the public hospitals on Jan 1st 2014. This was something that was discussed and highlighted by professional brokers etc at the time about the impact on health insurance plans regarding public hospital cover and waiting times. Changes like these sometimes slip in under the radar and the reality of these changes only hit home when it's spelled out in black and white by a highly respected consultant like Prof Michael O'Keeffe. Its a real eye opener as to what's really happening behind the scenes.


There's an insightful explanation of 'the introduction of bed re-designation' Jan 1st 2014 in the following article;
[broken link removed]


A lot of people signing up to the cheap basic level plans, just want to avoid the loading at the minimum cost. They probably don't
envisage using the policy anytime soon and intend to upgrade in due course.
These basic plans cover the 75 euro per night charge if you are admitted to a public hospital.
They also fully cover MRI, CT and PET CT scans in direct payment public hospitals and scan centres, I don't know what the waiting times are like and I'm also not sure if the same rules apply to scans that applies to surgery in public hospitals. Another grey area, if anyone has experience of this, it would be interesting to hear.

There's an interesting article in this morning's Irish Independent, regarding the estimated figures who signed up, double the original
estimate. Also, there's supposedly an equal divide of people choosing basic public plans and private cover plans, figures not confirmed yet.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-new...p-to-100000-go-for-health-cover-31192835.html

Lastly, if anyone is having second thoughts, having signed up to a basic plan, you have upto 14th May 2015 to change your mind.

Regards, Snowyb
 
Snowyb Thank you for your insightful response.

I signed my brother up for one of these cheap policies an hour before the deadline last Friday with the intention of doing more in dept research over the weekend into the different plans. As a result of scrutinizing this cheap health care policy and seeing how worthless it will be to him should he require elective surgery I will be advising him to upgrade his policy with a higher excess for private care.

My query really is that at no time during the telephone conversation last Friday night did the sales rep say that my brother would be subjected to the same waiting list as all public patients. Is that not something that customers should be made aware of? If this issue is not highlighted from the onset, many unsuspecting customers are going to be left very upset when they do eventually find out and may even decide to withdraw from the private health insurance market altogether.
 
My query really is that at no time during the telephone conversation last Friday night did the sales rep say that my brother would be subjected to the same waiting list as all public patients. Is that not something that customers should be made aware of? If this issue is not highlighted from the onset, many unsuspecting customers are going to be left very upset when they do eventually find out and may even decide to withdraw from the private health insurance market altogether.

Moneybox,

Regarding health insurance providers advising customers, the onus is always on the customer to ask the right question, as far as
they're concerned. Like the way, they don't 'necessarily' suggest the best priced alternative plan if a person is not sure they're getting
the best value. They are economical with information at times to suit themselves, unless they're asked particular questions - they
don't volunteer the information. Its not right or ethical but that's the way they're trained. You really need your wits and savvy about
you when dealing with these companies.
You did your research properly for your brother and probably did him a big favour.

Snowyb
 
Just as a matter of interest. Do those over 35's who took out a "cheap policy" before the deadline and cancel within the cooling off period still escape the loading?
 
Just as a matter of interest. Do those over 35's who took out a "cheap policy" before the deadline and cancel within the cooling off period still escape the loading?

If they choose another plan, yes they will escape the loading. as the new policy will be back-dated to their renewal date before the deadline.
If they just cancel and not go with a different plan, they would pay the loading whenever they would renew in the future.
Snowyb
 
After much toing and froing to the HIA website and being non the wiser, I opted for LAYA's simplified 'create your own scheme' and took the Flex 250 Choice health care policy for my brother. Very pleased with the amount of private hospital cover and it also includes excellent out patients benefits. After a bit of persuading the customer rep also gave me the online discount even though I did it over the phone. Thank you snowyb, your contribution here is much appreciated.
 
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