grass,
Husband;
Firstly, for your husband, VHI has 80% cover for orthopaedic surgery in private and hi-tech hospitals for the majority of plans including Nurses Plan
Select. If he chooses either Mater Private or Blackrock Clinic for surgery, if and when it occurs, they don't pass the shortfall onto the patient so in effect they fully cover this type of surgery. Other private hospitals may charge the shortfall amount which could be a few thousand.
Laya healthcare fully cover orthopaedic surgery in all private and hi-tech hospitals. So for that reason I would recommend the following Laya plan;
1. Simplicity; price 1087pa; all public, private(including private room) + hi-tech hospitals, max inpatient excess 100 x 2 per year for admissions,
day case 50 per visit. Orthopaedic surgery fully covered in private and hi-tech hospitals - no shortfalls or excess applies.
Good day to day cover included on this plan, first 100 not allowed.
You never lose cover if you switch plans, you keep the same level as before - ie 80% orthopaedic cover in private or hi-tech hospitals. A waiting
time of 2 years only applies to any extra cover on the new plan, in relation to any pre-existing illnesses. So, after 2 years with Laya, full cover
will apply to him for orthopaedic surgery. If he requires this surgery before the 2 years is complete, he could avoid the 20% shortfall by choosing
either Blackrock Clinic or Mater Private. After 2 years with Laya, he could choose any private hospital for surgery at that stage.
This option for 'Simplicity Plan' is also open to you. It has lower excesses for admissions and day case visits, plus day to day cover included.
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Children;
For the 2 children, I would suggest they stay with VHI and switch to cheaper plan as follows;
1. One Plus Plan; price 137 per child; all public, private and hi-tech hospitals covered, excess 125.
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Wife; self
For yourself, you could also choose Simplicity plan with Laya. VHI allow children to be insured on their own, just an adult is named on the policy.
If you wanted to stay with VHI, there are a few options to consider as follows;
1. One Plan; price 1095pa; all public, private and hi-tech hospitals covered, excess 125. No day to day cover.
2. PMI 37 13; price 1114pa; all public, private and hi-tech hospitals covered, excess 100. No day to day cover.
3. Company Plan Plus Level 1.3; price 1131pa; all public, private and hi-tech hospitals covered. excess 150, good day to day cover included.
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Nurses Plan Select is overpriced for the level of cover included. There are other better priced plans with similar or extra cover included.
Plenty of savings to be made without losing any cover.
Regards, Snowyb