Hi Clara78,
A person taking out health insurance for the first time has a 5 year waiting time to serve for any pre-existing conditions. New conditions will be
covered after the first 26 weeks waiting, which is standard waiting for a new customer.
So, unfortunately that 3k procedure would not be covered for 5 years if you take out health insurance.
You would have to pay for it yourself privately and claim a partial tax refund on a Form Med 1 with Revenue.
As a 38 yr old taking out health insurance for the first time, you will be charged an extra 8% loading onto the cost of the policy, 2% for each year
you are over 34 years. This extra loading applies for life, unless you had health insurance in the past at any stage - credit will be given for each
previous year you held cover.
While there is a 5 year waiting for hospital treatment for pre-existing conditions, there is no waiting time for day to day outpatient cover with Laya
part refunds for gp visits, consultant visits, dental etc - this part of the plan is allowable straight away.
I'm not 100% sure regarding cover being allowed for specific blood tests in relation to a pre-existing condition. You could verify this either by phone or online chat before deciding on a plan. The gp, consultant visits would be allowed.
The Connectcare 100 or 150 plans are very good plans to keep in mind for a later stage - after your 5 years waiting is over.
A cheaper plan, including day to day outpatient cover with Laya, worth considering is 'Control 300 Create' price 1039pa + 8% loading.
or
A cheaper plan, with no day to day cover with Laya, as follows; Flex 500 Explore price 661pa + 8% loading.
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You could choose either plan for the first 5 years. They both include all 3 levels of hospital cover, public, private and hi-tech.
Note; the above 2 plans will both increase in price from 1 July 2016, so you would need to sign up in June to avoid the increases.
Regards, Snowyb