Hi Letterkenny and JimmyG,
Welcome to AAM. Firstly there is no exact comparable plan cheaper than Flex 500 Explore. Any cheaper plans would have either a shortfall for hip and
knee replacement surgery, or a restricted list of private hospitals covered.
The following VHI planis a cheaper alternative option, but there is a 40% shortfall for hip and knee replacement surgery in private hospitals.
So if cover for this type of surgery is important to you, then this plan is not suitable. Details as follows;
1. VHI One Plan 500; price 780pa; all public and private hospitals covered; private hospital excess capped at 500 x 2 max per year for all admissions.
Day case excess 150 per procedure.
https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/...jayI6ZmFsc2UsInBsYW5fZGV0YWlsX2lkIjotMX19XQ==
2. The Laya Precision range of plans fully cover hip and knee replacement surgery in private hospitals but the range of private hospitals covered are
restricted. The private hospitals covered are shown on the Laya healthcare website, note the HIA website no longer shows the list of covered hospitals.
https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/...vY2siOmZhbHNlLCJwbGFuX2RldGFpbF9pZCI6LTF9fV0=
https://www.layahealthcare.ie/productsandservices/plan/scheme/flex-500-explore
3. The following Irish Life Benefit plans 1 + 2 have a restricted list of private hospitals + there is a 2000 co payment for hip and knee replacement
surgery. If the hospitals covered suit your location and if orthopaedic surgery is not a priority, they are good value.
https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/...Mb2NrIjpmYWxzZSwicGxhbl9kZXRhaWxfaWQiOi0xfX1d
https://www.irishlifehealth.ie/Iris...spital-lists/Health_Plans_Hospital_List_3.pdf
4. Lastly, the following Laya plan is 22 more expensive, but has better hospital cover. This plan fully covers a private room in a private hospital
and extra hi-tech hospital cover compared to Flex 500 Explore. Hip and knee replacement surgery is fully covered in all private and hi-tech hospitals,
no shortfall, no excess. Details as follows;
Laya Control 600 Connect; price 955pa; all public, private(including full cover for a private room) and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered; private/hi-tech
excess 600 per admission, day case excess 175 per procedure.
https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/...jayI6ZmFsc2UsInBsYW5fZGV0YWlsX2lkIjotMX19XQ==
Regards, Snowyb