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