Laya Switch Laya policy midterm to avail of cheaper excess?

I'm on flex 500 choice with Laya. Booked into sports surgery Santry next week to get 2 injections in my back. The day procedure is covered but I've to pay Santry €500 as per the excess. I believe I can change my plan mid term to a different plan with a €100 or €150 excess, does anyone know if this is true? I'll give Laya a call tomorrow morning anyhow. Could save me a nice few bob if I can.

Its true, you can change plan mid-term with Laya but if there are any parts of the new plan classed as an upgrade, they will apply a
2 year waiting time for any pre-existing conditions in relation to the upgraded part of the new plan. The excess amount of 500 falls
under this rule, so it will apply to this procedure next week. If you change plan, the new excess would apply to any new conditions arising in the future.

That's why is important to ensure that the excess amount for day case etc suits when considering lower priced plans, especially if you
have ongoing health issues and pre-existing conditions.

It would be a good idea, regardless to contact Laya anyway just to confirm.

Regards, Snowyb

Thanks snowyb.
So if I do change plan to say flex 175 explore this week, will I have to pay Santry €500 or €175 next week? I'm a bit confused... Is the excess subject to the 2 year upgrade even though it's Santry I have to pay??

You will have to pay 500 to Santry next week. The excess is subject to the 2 year upgrade for treatment or surgery relating to
pre-existing conditions only. It doesn't matter what private hospital you're attending. If you change to flex 175 next week, the
175 excess will apply to new illnesses only for two years - the 500 excess will continue for pre-existing illnesses for 2 years.
After 2 years, 175 excess will apply to all treatment for all illnesses.

Snowyb

Ah crap!Is there any way around this? Could I tell a wee white lie and tell Santry I'm on the Flex 175 and pay the lower excess?Or just switch to Flex 175 tomorrow-how will Santry know I'm only on it a few days?If not,I'll cancel the procedure, wife just had a baby and I cant afford to fork out €500 now.

I can't see any way around this, unfortunately. It would be worth discussing it with Laya, just to verify, before making any decisions.
Congrats on the new arrival!
Regards, Snowyb

Thanks. I was hoping against hope that the excess payable to the hospital would not be subject to that upgrade rule. I'll ring tomorrow,thanks again.

Hi snowyb,
Just thought I'd post an update, it might be useful for others.
I rang this morning and switched onto flex 175 explore. The excess is not subject to the 2 year upgrade rule so I'll only pay €75 for day case procedure next Tuesday, not the €500 excess that was on my old plan. Happy and surprised that this was the case but I got it in writing in an email from them. I can also switch again in June.

That's great news to hear and certainly an eye-opener to me. It clarifies the position re hospital excesses which are a kind of grey area,
and hard to find written detailed information with regard to your particular situation.
It's very useful information indeed, as a lot of people are considering and opting for plans with high excesses in recent times. Its great
to know you can lower that expense if surgery or day case procedures are coming up.

Also, just to clarify about switching plans mid-year, Laya, Glohealth and Aviva allow customers to switch to another plan with the same
company mid-year. Note; VHI do NOT allow their customers to switch plan mid-year, only during the 14 day cooling off period after
renewal date.

http://www.hia.ie/consumer-information/switching-health-insurance-plan-provider

Thanks so much for highlighting this info, its a continuous learning curve that never fails to surprise.
Delighted its a positive result in your favour.

Regards, Snowyb

No problem, glad it worked out. You've been giving myself and others great advice on this forum the past few years so I know you'll use this info to help others. Thanks and keep up the great work!

Not sure if that's general practice though. Can't imagine it would be or there would be no point in paying extra for a lower excess. So imagine it's at the insurers discretion.