Red Setter 101,
Hi-tech hospital cover on mid-level plans is a grey area and hard to define at times.
The list of plans recommended above, do not have unlimited access/admissions to hi-tech hospitals including Health Plus Access.
Unlimited access would be covered on top level plans.
However, hi-tech hospital cover on mid-level plans has changed and improved since 2008.
As a result of the recession in 2008, the 2 hi-tech hospitals Blackrock Clinic and Mater Private brought out a waiver system whereby they
waive any shortfalls on a wide range of procedures and surgeries. They do not pass on these charges to the patient so in effect there is full
cover in these hospitals for a wide range of surgery.
At that time in 2008, many people switched from top level plans to lower price plans, to save money. This would have had a direct impact on
the hi-tech hospitals, so as not to lose business - the waiver system was established.
Blackrock Clinic's waiver system is more extensive than Mater Private, the majority of surgery/procedures are fully covered in Blackrock Clinic.
There is some information about this on the following links, they are helpful with queries re cover/waivers/surgery for different plans being considered;
http://www.blackrock-clinic.ie/about-blackrock-clinic/freephone-enquiry-line/
https://www.materprivate.ie/dublin/patients-visitors/billing-insurance/
I think a situation re a fall of an older person would probably be an A + E situation to assess the damage and decide if surgery or alternative action is required.
I can fully appreciate their concerns about switching providers after a lifetime with the same company.
There are also good alternative options with VHI worth considering, those with the extra day to day cover are very good value, after the 2 year
waiting is served. Hospital cover would be identical to Plan B, just the 80% orthopaedic cover which is no problem if Blackrock Clinic or Mater Private is chosen for hip or knee replacment surgery.
A final suggestion worth considering is maybe using a broker that specialises in health insurance for professional advice.
I have no personal experience of brokers but when you're spending 4000 on something per year, a hundred or two is tiny in comparison.
Regards, Snowyb