VHI Is VHI One Plan Complete a good alternative to Health Plus Extra

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city12

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Hi
Elderly parents are reconsidering their VHI policy which is currently Health Plus Extra (Plan B Options).
We read the recent thread re couple in a similar position who also wished to change from Health Plus Extra.
When we contacted VHI the One Plan Complete was suggested as a good cost saving alternative and we are trying to identify what cover they might lose out on by switching.
We have looked at the hia site and the One Plan Complete seems to offer a lot of the same benefits as Health Plus Extra but would much appreciate if someone could advise.
many thanks
 
The devil is in the detail, especially when u look at cardiac, orthopaedic and ophthalmic procedures.
I would print out the two full pdfs and go through line for line as the HIA site can't do it at that level, the key thing to look for is what % of [procedure expense is covered AND room rate is covered for in-patient], as well as any deductibles: our non VHI policy requires us to pay 2,000 for each hip but room rate is fully covered: we saved 2000 pa on the new policy so its in a hip savings account! HTH
 
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Many thanks for quick reply.
Was thinking along the same lines that any savings realised would still have to be put aside as a contingency fund for hips etc. The hia site is helpful to a certain degree but will get the PDFs and do a line by line analysis.
 
Hi city12,

When is their renewal date?

The only 2 differences between these two plans, relating to hospital cover is as follows;
1. Orthopaedic cover - hip, knee and shoulder replacement surgery in private and hi-tech hospitals.

One Plan Complete has 80% cover for this surgery in any private or hi-tech hospital, all other surgery is fully covered. This means that VHI will pay the hospital 80% of the total cost and the patient has to pay the 20% balance. Based on approx cost for this surgery, this 20% balance could potentially cost 3000 for a hip operation and 5000 for a knee operation.
However, some hospitals are not charging the patient for the shortfall amount, the Blackrock Clinic and Mater Private Dublin, are definitely not passing this cost onto the patient, so in effect there is full cover for orthopaedic surgery in these two hospitals with One Plan Complete. If they go to any other private hospital, they could be asked to pay for the shortfall amount. You would have to research beforehand if the hospital in question are passing this 20% cost onto the patient.

Health Plus Extra has 100% cover for this surgery in any private or hi-tech hospital.


2. Level 2 Cardiac Surgery called TAVI surgery. TAVI surgery is specialised valve replacement surgery by keyhole - but only if a person is not otherwise suitable for open heart surgery. There is strict criteria applied to this type of surgery. The consultant has to make a very strong case
to prove necessary, on certain grounds - maybe other serious complications involved ie age, previous cardiac history etc. It is not done just
because a person has the cover. Note; TAVI cover was only included on HealthPlus Extra since 2012.

HealthPlus Extra has 100% cover for TAVI surgery.

One Plan Complete has no cover for TAVI surgery.


There are 2 alternative plans, similar to One Plan Complete, worth considering with VHI as follows;
1. One Plan Extra; price 1391pa
2. Company Plan Extra; price 1524pa; Extra cover for a private room in a private hospital 50 euro per night.
Note; day to day outpatient cover is not great on any of these 4 plans because of the high excess amounts, an ideal excess is 1 euro.
[broken link removed]

Plenty of savings to be achieved, if it suits their health needs.

Regards, Snowyb
 
Snowyb thank you v much for all that information. We will sit down tomorrow and review options. Renewal date is sometime this month.
 
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