I
irishpancake
Guest
Re: Health Insurance: VHI/Quinn/Hibernian?
Thanks again NF77
Just looking at the HSI site regarding Open Enrollment:
This raises a number of questions in my mind:
Don't get me wrong, just trying to cover all the bases here
BTW, I think I could stretch to http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/0939738929/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1264461980&sr=1-3&condition=used (this gem) from Amazon
However, the postage could just be the deal-breaker!!!
Regards
IP
EDIT: I think I just found the answers I was looking for above, on National Consumer Agency Web-site
So, it looks as if Quinn Healthcare have to quote you for whatever plans they offer, as they are a so-called "Open membership insurer".
Let's just see, I will keep the Board informed, although there are at least two posters who have availed of this.
IP
Thanks again NF77
Just looking at the HSI site regarding Open Enrollment:
Open Enrolment and Lifetime Cover
Under Open Enrolment private health insurers must accept all applicants for insurance cover, regardless of their risk status, age or sex, subject to prescribed waiting periods.
Lifetime Cover protects you by guaranteeing all consumers the right to renew their policies, irrespective of factors such as age, risk status or claims history. Once you have health insurance, an insurer cannot stop cover or refuse to renew your insurance, except in very limited circumstances.
This raises a number of questions in my mind:
- Is this the same as saying anyone can join any plan?
- Must the Insurer accept you for any plan they offer?
- Can they target plans exclusively to one sector, which is not available to the customer in general?
Don't get me wrong, just trying to cover all the bases here
BTW, I think I could stretch to http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/0939738929/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1264461980&sr=1-3&condition=used (this gem) from Amazon
However, the postage could just be the deal-breaker!!!
Regards
IP
EDIT: I think I just found the answers I was looking for above, on National Consumer Agency Web-site
What are the different types of health insurance company?
Basically there are two types in Ireland:
"Open membership insurers" - VHI, Quinn Healthcare (which took over Bupa Ireland in 2006) and Vivas Health. These companies must provide insurance to any member of the public who requests it, provided that they are under 65 or were insured within the previous 13 weeks.
"Restricted membership insurers" provide cover to you and your dependants if you are a member of a particular group - normally a vocational group or an employee of a specific organisation. Examples would be members of the Garda Siochana, and ESB employees.
So, it looks as if Quinn Healthcare have to quote you for whatever plans they offer, as they are a so-called "Open membership insurer".
Let's just see, I will keep the Board informed, although there are at least two posters who have availed of this.
IP