Hello Sined,
As you are both taking out private health insurance for the first time, there are 'New customer waiting times' that you will
have to serve.
1. You will be covered just for 'accident or injury' for the first 26 weeks. After that you are covered for new conditions that need
surgery or treatment.
2. Pre-existing conditions; If you have existing illnesses or conditions at the moment, these illnesses will NOT be covered for 5 years.
A waiting time of 5 years applies to pre-existing conditions for new customers before any surgery or treatment can be done for these
specific illnesses.
If you both have NO pre-existing conditions, any new conditions and illnesses will be covered after the first 26 weeks is served(under 55 yrs).
Important Note; The waiting time of 5 years applies to new customers 'under 55 years'. This waiting time increases to 7 years for
people aged 55 to 59.
In your case, as you will be 55 soon in July, it is important that you join on July 1st 2013. Once you are under 55 on renewal date(1/7/2013),
the 5 year waiting time for any pre-existing conditions will apply.
All details about new customer waiting times are available on the Health Insurance Authority website.
www.hia.ie/consumer-information/waiting-periods/new-customer-waiting-periods/
Here are a few suggestions to consider, including your own choice with Glohealth;
1. Aviva Health; Level 2 Health Excess; price 904per adult;
2. Glohealth; Better Plan; price 915 per adult;
3. VHI Healthcare; One Plan; price 943per adult;
4. Laya; Healthwise Plus No Excess; price 1003per adult(1033pa includes 3% charge if paying by instalments).
www.hia.ie/ci/comparison/step3?249&298&105&277/
All the above plans include public,private and hi-tech hospital cover.
Note; Aviva and Glohealth charge 2000 for orthopaedic surgery(hip or knee replacement) in a private or hi-tech hospital.
VHI cover 80% of the cost of orthopaedic surgery in a private or hi-tech hospital.
Laya Healthcare is the only provider that fully covers orthopaedic surgery in a private or hi-tech hospital.
Orthopaedic surgery is fully covered in a public hospital - no extra charges apply.
Regards, Snowyb