Hi deranne,
Firstly, you don't need private health insurance to access private consultants, which are paid for directly by the patient, on referral by your gp.
MRI, CT and PET-CT scans are covered directly.
Private health insurance is valuable then for gaining admission to private or public hospitals for surgery/treatment etc.
The following plans are worth considering, details as follows;
1. Essential Health 300; price 895pa; all public, private and Beacon hospital covered, cardiac surgery covered in Mater Private and Blackrock Clinic, private hospital excess capped at 300 x 2 max per year for all admissions to a private hospital. Day case excess 125 per procedure. There is no excess to pay in any public hospital.
2. Irish Life Benefit plan; price 899pa; all public, private and Beacon hospital covered; private hospital excess capped at 200 x 2 per year for
all private hospital admissions, day case excess 125 per procedure. No excess to pay in any public hospital.
3. Irish Life Benefit 2 plan; price 788pa; a selected list of public and private hospitals covered, private hospital excess 300 x 2 per year for all
private hospital admissions, day case excess 125 per procedure. No excess to pay in any public hospital.
4. VHI One Plan 500; price 715pa; all public and private hospitals covered; private hospital excess capped at 500 x 2 per year for all private
hospital admissions, day case excess 150 per procedure. No excess to pay in any public hospital.
VHI Swiftcare clinics are only accessible by VHI customers only. There is a 75 euro payment towards consultation charge with the patient to pay
50 euro. There is other cover for follow on visits, listed under A+E Charge, Outpatient Benefits.
5. VHI One Plan 250; price 832pa; all public, private covered; private hospital excess capped at 250 x 2 per year for all private hospital
admissions, day case excess 150 per procedure. No excess to pay in any public hospital.
Again, VHI Swiftcare clinics are partially covered, 75 euro towards consultation + 50 euro to pay by the patient. More cover for follow on visits
included. These clinics only accessible by VHI customers.
6. Irish Life Select Plus plan; price 952pa; a selected list of public and private hospitals covered;( including a private room in both public and
private hospitals) private hospital excess 150 per admission and per day case procedure. No excess to pay in any public hospital.
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The following plan might be suitable for your husband, with a kidney complaint, similar in price to your current plan but much better hospital
and outpatient cover, that ticks all the boxes. Details as follows;
7. Laya Simply Connect; price 1100pa; all public, private and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered, private/hi-tech hospital excess capped at 150 x 2
per year for all admissions, day case excess 50 per procedure. No excess to pay in any public hospital. Good day to day cover included,
1 euro excess, refund of 50% for gp visits, consultant visits, dental, physio etc - subject to a max refund of 500 per year. (50% of 1000 = 500).
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Child Options;
Note; Regarding the Laya special offer for children, at least 1 adult has to choose any Laya plan in order to avail of the child offer.
The following 3 plans are included in the special offer;
1. Laya Essential Health 300; price 234pa; all public, private and Beacon hospital covered; private excess capped at 300 x 2 per year for all
admissions, day case excess 125 per procedure. Note; all childrens hospitals are public, but Beacon hospital also offers a range of childrens
surgery covered on this plan.
2. Essential Connect Family; price 250pa; all public, private and Beacon hospital covered; private excess capped at 300 x 1 per year per family
for all admissions, day case excess capped at 300 x 1 per family per year for all day case procedures. No excess to pay in any public hospital.
3. Flex 125 Explore; price 343pa; all public, private and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered, private/hi-tech excess 125 per admission, day case excess
50 euro per procedure. No excess to pay in any public hospital. NOTE; all childrens hospitals are public but the 3 Dublin hi-tech hospitals
offer a range of childrens surgery, covered on this plan.
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Regards, Snowyb