Health Insurance As I get older do I need better health insurance?

Odea

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Both myself and my wife are nearing age 70. We presently have the same Health Insurance Policy with Laya. Our policy is called Control 600 Connect. We have been on this policy for several years.

We have been thinking of upgrading our policy by one step but we are not sure if we need to. We don't need maternity cover and we don't need child cover. We visit our GP a couple of times a year.

We can get a free eye test every couple of years as well as hearing test from social welfare. This includes free basic glasses and hearing aid if needed. We also get a payment toward our routine dental treatment.

I think when we reach age 70 we can avail of a free GP visit card? Maybe even a free medical card?

We both have a few aches and pains. We don't spend much on prescription medicines......but a fair bit on stuff like Vitamin D, Zinc type supplements (can these be prescribed and availed of for free with a medical card or are they considered non prescription medicines?)

Just wondering if people feel the need to get a better type of health insurance policy because they are getting older or is there any need to?
 
It depends if you guys have any underlying issues with your health. Cardiac, hips/knees, dementia, etc. Have there been any problems in your family history with any of the above, or any other health problems? That would guide where you should go with the health insurance policy to suit yourself and your wife.
 
While I am still a bit off having to do so, it is something that I was thinking about the other day. I see family members using their health insurance a lot more now as they get older. They don't have any underlying issues, they are just getting older and issues are arising. These can all be fixed but involve an appointment with a consultant and a procedure. Health insurance is paying for everything. I certainly know the cover I have in place wouldn't pay for it all.
 
The thing is...do both the husband and wife have to have the same policy? One of the policies can be upgraded. For example the person who may have more problems than the other partner.

I think that most of us are afraid to tempt faith. We are afraid to upgrade the policy for the person with health problems but not the other policy and then the unexpected happens, the person with fewer problems gets hit.....
 
ps Each person can have their own policy

The policy you have is ok, going with the strategy of a cheaper premium but higher excesses should treatments etc be needed.
I wouldn't be jumping to a much more expensive plan.

You can compare here with simply connect plus which has lower excess
 
I've often wondered if there is a specialist broker that offers an advisory service on this very topic.

Any thoughts?
 
I've often wondered if there is a specialist broker that offers an advisory service on this very topic.

Any thoughts?

Haven't used them but see them mentioned in media articles looking for comments about health insurance especially Dermot Goode (https://www.totalhealthcover.ie/about_us)
and also
 
I've often wondered if there is a specialist broker that offers an advisory service on this very topic.

Any thoughts?
I used one but he retired last year. His boss couldn't find a replacement for him so stopped offering it. I remember him saying there were over 300 different plans available.
 
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