Health Insurance prices are going up at an alarming rate. Last November, Quinn Healthcare increased its prices by at least 12% and in some cases by over 20%. During the same month, VHI, Ireland’s largest health insurer increased its rates by 2% but this was on top of a 45% rate increase last January. Aviva, the third largest health insurer increased its rates by 14% last March, 9% in August and have recently announced a further 15% increase to take effect on February 15 of this year. And just to top this all off, our Health Minister, James Reilly, announced today that the annual health insurance levy was being increased from €205 to €285 for adults and from €66 to €95 for every child.
Private health insurance gives policyholders access to more hospitals and more treatments and can significantly reduce waiting time for many procedures. While it is well known and reported that public patients can be left waiting for long periods of time before they get to see a consultant, the reality is that private consultants are not exclusively for people with health insurance. One can always “jump the Q” by paing cash to see a consultant. However, while one visit to a consultant may not break the bank (€150 – €300) ongoing visits could quickly dry up your financial resources.
If you are diagnosed with a serious, life-threatening condition and you don’t have health insurance you will be treated in the public system. The speed at which you are treated will very much depend on the seriousness of your condition. So if you have a painful, stiff hip – you could have it for years before its replaced in a public hospital. The private system will however provide a wide choice of hospitals and fast treatment.
There are no private hospitals for children in Ireland so any hospital treatment is done within the public health system. So while it is worth having some cover for the under 18s, it is a waste hard earned money to have them on an expensive and comprehensive plan.
Brought to you by Quoteme Health Insurance Ireland.
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