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