dino,
The following 2 VHI plans are equivalent regarding hospital cover, the only difference is that there is an excess to pay if admitted to a
private or hi-tech hospital for a stay or day case. There is no excess to pay in any public hospital.
Note; the HIA website prices have not updated correctly yet from 1 March 2018, correct prices on the following link.
https://www.hia.ie/news/vhi-healthcare-price-and-benefit-changes-01032018-02032018
1. HealthPlus Excess; price 1755pa; all public, private and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered, inpatient excess 75 per admission to a private/hi-tech
hospital or a day case. Same hospital cover as before, just with an excess to pay per admission or per day case.
2. Health Access; price 1627pa; all public, private and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered, inpatient excess 125 per admission to a private/hi-tech
hospital or a day case. Same hospital cover as before, just with an excess of 125 to pay per admission or per day case.
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The above 2 plans have full cover for orthopaedic surgery (hip and knee replacement surgery) in both private and hi-tech hospitals.
Cheaper plans with VHI have 80% cover for this type of surgery in private/hi-tech hospitals. This 20% shortfall could amount to 2k-3k.
The hi-tech hospital Blackrock Clinic don't pass this shortfall charge onto the patient, but other private hospitals would charge the patient.
3. PMI 44 16; price 1102pa; all public, private(incl private room), and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered, inpatient excess 150 per admission or
day case. 80% orthopaedic cover in private/hi-tech hospitals.
4. PMI 37 13; price 1103pa; all public, private and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered, inpatient excess 100 per admission or per day case.
80% orthopaedic cover in private or hi-tech hospitals.
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If other providers are an option, Laya plans fully cover orthopaedic surgery in all private/hi-tech hospitals.
5. Simplicity plan; price 1191pa; all public, private(incl private room) and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered, excess 100 x 2 max per year,
day to day cover included - the first 100 not allowed.
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Regards, Snowyb