Hi Sar,
Firstly, there is a 5 year waiting time to serve for new customers, in relation to pre-existing conditions.
So, while any new conditions would be covered after 6 months on a plan, if they were connected to the
pre-existing condition, they would not be covered until the end of 5 years.
Secondly, VHI will insure a child on a plan and will include an adult as a non paying policy holder, so basically the adult holds the plan but only the child is covered.
There are no private children's hospitals in Ireland, but there are some hospitals that have private children's wards and offer certain procedures,treatment and surgery on a private basis.
Regarding your own child's ongoing situation, I'm not sure if her consultant has a private practice or if the type of medical treatment etc, she may or may not require, would be available on a private basis.
These are issues worth considering or asking her consultant about on a future appointment.
As an aside, while pre-existing conditions are not covered for 5 years, the likes of out-patient expenses are covered straight away. MRI, CT + PET scans are fully covered directly, other x-rays and scans are paid for by the patient and partially refunded after renewal date, depending on the level of cover on the plan.
Private consultant fees are also partially refunded at renewal date, according to the outpatient cover on the plan.
It may be an option to go private for tests and consultants visits to avoid some of the waiting. If the tests are done as an overnight stay in the hospital, this would not be covered for 5 years. Outpatient scans etc would be covered.
It is usually recommended that someone with ongoing health issues takes out a plan with no hospital excess. The following 2 plans with VHI are worth considering.
1. Company Plan Extra: child price 266 pa, good hospital cover, good x-ray cover, limited day to day expenses cover.
2. Company Plan Extra Level 3 : child price 352 pa, good hospital cover, x-ray cover and very good day to day cover.
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The only thing about these two plans is, they are both reduced at the moment, but will increase to full price from July 1st 2015. In order to avail of these prices, you would have to set it up with a starting date of June 22nd 2015 (Monday), as VHI only renew on certain dates. June 22nd is the last date to set up a new policy
this month. That's if you decide to take out insurance having weighed up the pro's and cons.
I'm not sure what children's offers, if any, are lined up for August 2015.
Hope this helps with your decision.
Snowyb