It's the jumping the queue of the waiting lists that I think is the big benefit to health insurance - that and having teenagers who have sports injuries and require many trips to Laya it has definitely been worth it.
So, if you were to follow this type of strategy, how big a fund do people think would be enough?That's my thinking aswell, obviously you run the risk that you could have truly devastating health problems but the public health system is there for that aswell, this isn't the US where they look for money or insurance first before treatment. But for this strategy to work you need to truly disciplined and actually properly have a health fund built up, not to be used for kitchen renovations etc .
Also because they have the penalty in place for those who don't sign up for insurance in your 30s ,that's a bigger obstacle to getting insurance when you get older. What about all those who were scared into buying insurance a decade ago and were enticed by cheaper introduction quotes, are they still paying for insurance now that the costs have rocketed and was it worth it ? only to then drop out. At least by having your own fund that money is still there for you
It's about putting the money aside instead of paying insurance premiums, not about absolute fund. Probably over a 100,000 at least based on savings not put into health insurance and the fact that fund should have grown (once not invested in bonds) over last few yearsSo, if you were to follow this type of strategy, how big a fund do people think would be enough?
It's fine to pay as you go too you would want to be terrible unlucky to need something like major heart surgery. Plus if you are very proactive in looking after your health, like maintaining a healthy weight/diet, sleep/mental health/ exercise routine etc. It goes a long way in keeping body and mind healthy as we age.It's about putting the money aside instead of paying insurance premiums, not about absolute fund. Probably over a 100,000 at least based on savings not put into health insurance and the fact that fund should have grown (once not invested in bonds) over last few years
It’s well justified fear of the public health system, particularly due to where I live, which keeps me paying into private health insurance, for the last 40 years. I also advise relatives to try to keep up insurance even though they can’t afford the increases. If a relative is having a particular operation, it’s often a Dublin hospital that is recommended. If I have to stay in Dublin as a support person, I’m paying exorbitant prices. I’m trying to make an appointment with Total Health Cover before the extremely busy Oct to Dec times, in order to look at 3 policies amounting to approx 6000 with increases, to see if there are more reasonable plans. I’d love to add up what I have paid VHI and Leya in 40 years and what they have paid out . VHI claims were very very minimal amounts re day to day expenses, they were definitely winning as I was on Plan B no procedures no ops and LEYA which I transferred to in 2014 day to day at least could claim these.There is no way I'd live in Ireland without private insurance. I know someone after a ski incident abroad last winter dropped into the Mater Private on their way home. They were not taking any chances with a hospital in another location (a city).
Also know of someone who regularly sends people for xrays. To a local hospital in a large town. Discovered that the reading of them leads a lot to be desired as had them analysed later in a city hospital.
As a person living abroad we have availed of EU care in Ireland for an emergency on a couple of occasions. Once you 'waive' the EU health card, we never so much as saw a bill for any procedure including surgery. Basically everything is free. My opinion is that the Irish system just can not cope with the EU people and so don't bother with bills.
My brother in law's family paid for their mothers operation, she was on a waiting list with no insurance. That's what people have to do. We are well aware that the whole point of health insurance in Ireland is to bypass the waiting lists. Personally I'd only go to Dublin if electing for something. Such as the Beacon etc.
There does not seem to be a system whereby you can stay for a reasonable price in a hospital as a support person. Here we have hospital hostels at a reasonable price. We paid for a SIL to stay in a hotel near Beaumont when a relative was getting cancer treatment, that street has mutiple ads for funeral homes. I shall never set foot in Beaumont after what I heard about it. Described as like a scene from MASH.
You don't need private health insurance to get an MRI without delay.I'm glad to have private health insurance especially when I see how long my brother, who hasn't, has to wait for procedures to be done.
I recently had an MRI on a Saturday morning in a private hospital when the rest of the hospital was closed and wasn't waiting very long to get the appointment.
But that is fairly high up in the political pecking order , breast checks, other things then get down graded that don't have the political backing because there are only so many resources to go aroundIn support of the public services… breast check had me on for follow up tests and results PDQ last year when something showed up on the initial screening. Within a week!
I understand that....I was just making the point. I was only waiting two weeks to have my MRI from the time I was told I needed one though ...You don't need private health insurance to get an MRI without delay.
Yes, you can get them done privately, don't know how much they cost these days but they free with good health insurance policy.You don't need private health insurance to get an MRI without delay.
Very good analogyLike driving,,, you can suck up the small scratches and dents but not the major accident leaving many people permanently damaged. That’s what we can’t afford to risk.
Plus you can go for treatment anywhere. With health insurance you are stuck in Ireland where even patients with insurance increasingly face queues for essential diagnostics & treatment.At least by having your own fund that money is still there for you
Of course, but If you pay for your MRI you will get it done just as quickly with the likes of Affidea .I understand that....I was just making the point. I was only waiting two weeks to have my MRI from the time I was told I needed one though ...
About €300 for an MRI in Affidea. " Free with good health insurance " is a bit of a stretch !!!!Yes, you can get them done privately, don't know how much they cost these days but they free with good health insurance policy.