Families ‘being priced out of health cover’ as VHI joins Laya with second price hike at peak renewal time
by OldMcGroin
Families ‘being priced out of health cover’ as VHI joins Laya with second price hike at peak renewal time
by OldMcGroin
3 comments
They know with how bad the public health system has got that they have free reign to constantly increase.
Our public health system has been allowed to rot by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail so people are forced to go private.
This is a sneaky scummy way of privatising the healthcare system, the healthcare system is working exactly as they intend it to.
Some might even consider this to be the point of bumping premiums. It’s classic late stage capitalism for these days: do you make more money by bumping up prices but with fewer customers? If yes, raise prices.
Health insurers have been getting away with shady bullshit for too long they’ve been emboldened by the HIA and ombudsman not taking action for too long.
Please for the love of god if you have health insurance know what you are paying for!
If you just have public cover why? Bed levies are gone
They will change your plan cover and the only notice you will get is your policy documents. Read them!
I’ve seen plans which have had 100% cover go to 75% cover and people aren’t aware.
Just because you have not changed your plan does not mean your plan cover has not changed.
Take on your insurer. LODGE COMPLAINTS don’t just complain make the official complaint. You can only escalate issues to the ombudsman if you have complained and haven’t received a reply in 40 working days OR If you are not happy with the response.
If you don’t make it official they won’t do anything at least if you do, you have a chance
Just because you are insured in a hospital does not mean you have cover for everything. Call your insurer, have them confirm cover on their RECORDED phone lines. Take down the time you called and who you spoke with. If you are not fully covered call the hospital you are planning to go too some will waive or cap shortfalls.
When checking procedure cover you will need the code ( this comes from your consultant or GP) hospital name and consultant name. If you need general cover tell them you want them to explain your plan cover to you and ask what hospitals aren’t covered and confirm if you have variable cover in other hospitals (an example of variable cover is in private hospitals you are fully covered for CERTAIN cardiac procedures, covered 80% for orthopaedic procedures 50% for general procedures ect).
A trend I’ve seen is insurance companies telling you to call the hospital for these general questions (or for questions they can’t easily find answers for). Don’t let them you are paying THEM not the hospital. And if they can’t answer you COMPLAIN.
Please for the love of god know what waiting periods are. if you are insured through your work see if they have waived these waiting periods.
Irish people love to moan but hate to make it official. If you don’t nothing will change.