NovaFlare77
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On some of their plans (eg Parents & Kids which is a popular plan that they moved many of their customers to over the past few years), VHI have recently introduced a restriction (80%) on the amount they will pay for orthopaedic and opthalmic procedures in private hospitals.Does paying for the cost of a more expensive plan get you anything other than a better room?
If the basic plan covers consultants' fees, is the only benefit of a more expensive plan, the level of privacy?
my wife has had baby on public its was of the highest quality there was no charges.
I asked some time ago for a volunteer to do a Key Post on health insurance but I got no takers. I will start doing one myself.
Not true. You are not entitled to a 10% discount, it is at the insurer's discretion.You are entitled to a 10% discount on the individual quoted price.
Not neccessarily so. Service is very important not just one off advice.It would be better to use a broker which charges you a fee for advising you on the best product. For example: [broken link removed]
Unless you can buy it at a cheaper rate than those that charge more for the semi private room.There is probably little point in paying for private accommodation in a public hospital as it's usually not available.
The health service is good, once you're in (I can only speak about Tallaght, St. James's and St. Vincent's). A&E is like a field hospital. One of the big problems is with chronically ill patients who have an established relationship with the hospital; they may get home for a few weeks/months but many will end up having to be rushed back in but are forced through A&E an onto trolleys.We only hear terrible things about the health service. The long waits on trolleys. The long waiting lists etc. But quite a few people have told me that they had a great service.
If things go wrong in a private maternity hospital they ship you to a public hospital. I have found the Coombe to provide great care.I recall someone telling me that you are much better off in the public hospitals for maternity cover as there are more specialists if there is a problem.
I don't think so, but I am open to correction. Under community rating the same price must be available to everyone.You are entitled to a 10% discount on the individual quoted price.
Not true. You are not entitled to a 10% discount, it is at the insurer's discretion.
How do you mean "service"? But I have changed that bit anyway toIt would be better to use a broker which charges you a fee for advising you on the best product. For example:
Not neccessarily so. Service is very important not just one off advice.
There are some brokers which advise on health insurance, although I am not sure what the point of them is. Only Aviva pays commission to brokers, so there could well be a bias. If you do use a broker, consider paying a fee for the advice.
Sorry, I don't understand your point here at all.There is probably little point in paying for private accommodation in a public hospital
As it's usually not available.
Unless you can buy it at a cheaper rate than those that charge more for the semi private room.
Specialist intersts
Maternity cover (thanks to huskerdu for this summary)
Here is a summary of what PHI covers for Maternity in Ireland. If my figures are incorrect or out-of-date, please let me know.
If you decide to see a consultant privately for ante-natal care, the cost will be approx €2,500 to €3,500. PHI does not cover this, but some plans pay a contribution. VHI/Aviva/Quinn pay between €200-€500 towards this, depending on the plan. €300 seems to be an average for a lot of plans.
PHI pays for the consultant fee for the birth, the anaestitist fee if you have an epidural or section, blood tests and 3 nights in a private ward, in a public hospital. If you have any medical complications during the pregnancy or birth that necessitates a longer hospital stay, this is covered. In a normal birth with no medical complications, only 3 nights are covered.
If you attend a private hospital, PHI will pay a total of between €2275/€4000 depending on the plan. My understanding is that the average bill for 3 nights in a private Maternity hospital is in excess of this.
If you are a private patient, you must pay for all ultrasound scans. This may be fully or partially covered by PHI, depending on the plan.
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