Health Insurance Best Policy with good cover for Blackrock Clinic/Mater Private

HI there,

We currently have VHI PMI 35 13. We are generally happy with it. We are 2 adults and 2 teenagers. We pay €353/mt. However, as we are getting older we are minded to ensure we have proper cover in Blackrock/Mater Private. At present, with our existing policy, we do have cover there but only 45% of rate so would be liable for the other 55% To be honest, this would effectively rule these out as that would still be prohibitively expensive should we need an admission there.
I understand this will be an upgrade and there would be a waiting time for additional cover, but I would be very grateful if anyone could recommend sucha policy. I have tried using the HIA website but find it impenetrable. You cannot search out policies with such cover and instead have to go through every policy individually. I find the new website not as user friendly as the old one..

It's very expensive to get full cover - have you looked at PMI 43 16. I think it's a bit better at a reasonable middle of the road price point

A lot will only do 80% or have a per night shortfall unless paying 3k+ but a lot of procedures might only have 5 or 6 nights in hospital worst case (most likely less as they get you out as quick as they can these days!) so a per night shortfall can be a balanced risk and at least you get some idea of out of pocket costs

HI, thank you Messyloo. I had a look at that. There is less cover in BC (35%) than with our existing policy. I am really looking for suggestions for policies that offer higher cover in BC/MPH. I am not sure how much is feasible, do other policies offer full cover, or 80% cover? Again, you can't search this on HIA, you have to go through every policy individually, and the plan names give no clue as to what is in them. It does not have to be VHI (though would prefer to remain with them). I accept we will have to pay more.

Hillwalker123 said:

ensure we have proper cover in Blackrock/Mater Private

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Hi Hillwalker,

You are restricting yourself a lot there when you talk about Blackrock and Mater Private only. I know Blackrock have private rooms only but Mater Private do appear to have both semi and private. They are both very expensive hospitals but each to their own. I have found Beacon to be very good and wonder would you not consider there in the hope that you can get a policy without such high excesses. I have also stayed in Blackrock and from an accommodation point of view I didn't find that much difference. I actually thought the food was better in Beacon.

Had a look at the HIA website and not impressed either. Your best bet is to ring VHI and ask them to provide you with a better plan which won't cost too much extra.

You could also try the fee based www.totalhealthcover.ie and see what they come up with. I understand at times they can have a waiting list.

I think if you are looking for good cover in Blackrock clinic & Mp (for under €3,500) you need to move away from VHI. Look at Excel Care from Laya- it’s €2,400 and only has a €100 excess per night for Blackrock &Mp.
I was on this Laya plan and found it very good.
I moved jobs recently and company only pays for VHI ; I had to get a €3,700 plan (64 10) to get a comparable plan to Excel Care . Had a lot of back and forth with VHI and really found their offering not great.

Full cover in Blackrock and Mater Private with no excess provided by Level Health Plan D at 248 euro p.m.