Hi PolkaDot,
Here are 2 alternatives with Laya, including full private cover (with hospital excess) without compromising on outpatient cover.
Simpy Health Starter price 830pa
or
Total Health Choice price 874pa
www.hia.ie/ci/comparison/step3?245&278&323/
A few more options with other providers with no outpatient cover, as follows:
Aviva;
Family Value Plan Price 834pa
or
Health Value Plan Price 771pa
Laya: Essential Connect Saver 798pa
VHI Alternatives:
One Plan 250 Price 758pa
or
PMI 17 11 price 840pa
www.hia.ie/ci/comparison/step3?245&289&270&327&253&259/
Regarding plans with 60% cover for private hospitals, I would totally avoid them.
As previously stated here, the costs can run into thousands as the shortfalls are not specified clearly.
The patient has to pay 40% of the total cost of surgery+ cost of bed - which could cost thousands.
However, what you may be missing is the good value on offer in the hi-tech hospitals, Blackrock Clinic and Mater Private.
Since 2008, these two hospitals are waiving shortfalls on a wide range of surgery and procedures - plans with a minimum of
45% to 65% hi-tech cover qualify for these waivers.
If an operation is not on the waiver list, the shortfall per night is 260euro with VHI and Aviva. The cost of surgery is fully covered,
so this shortfall only relates to the cost of the bed.
Most operations involve a 5 to 10 night stay in hospital, so a 5 night stay would cost 1300.( plus hospital excess if applicable).
Laya Healthcare Plans show hi-tech shortfalls very clearly on the hia website.
For example, plan 'Total Health Choice' has a hi-tech shortfall of 195 per night and a 200excess per claim.
So, an operation with a 5 night stay, in a hi-tech hospital, on this plan would cost (195 x 5) + 200 = 1175.
Again, these shortfall rates only relate to the cost of the bed, surgery costs are fully covered.
Plans at this level start at 875 upto 1000+.
They also include full cover for private hospitals, so an extra 100 hundred euro offers a lot more value for money and choice
of hospital cover - some plans also include good outpatient cover (gp etc) ie. Total Health Choice.
This level of cover may not be necessary at your age, but it may be useful information to have for the years ahead.
Snowyb