Mountainview,
Option 1;
1. Health Plus Access(old Plan B); price 2045pa; public, private and hi-tech hospital cover included as before, no hospital excess as before,
level 2 cardiac procedures 90% cover in hi-tech hospitals(note this 10% shortfall would be waived). Full cover for orthopaedic surgery in private and hi-tech hospitals.
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The 2 extras on both HealthPlus Extra and HealthPlus Access plans are;
1. 100% cover for orthopaedic and cataract surgery in private and hi-tech hospitals - (hip, knee and shoulder replacement + cataract surgery).
2. Level 2 cardiac surgery - TAVI surgery - this is specialised valve replacement surgery by keyhole, but only authorised if a person is otherwise
not suitable for open heart surgery. There is strict criteria applied to this type of surgery. The consultant has to make a very strong case on the patients behalf, to prove its necessary, on certain grounds, ie age, previous cardiac history or maybe due to other complications involved etc.
This surgery is not authorised just because a person has the insurance cover included on their plan. This cover was added onto both plans in 2012.
Option 2;
VHI Plan PMI 42 15; price 1648pa; public, private and hi-tech hospital cover included as before, no hospital excess as before.
There is no Level 2 cardiac TAVI cover on this plan.
This plan also has 80% cover for certain orthopaedic surgery and cataract eye surgery in private and hi-tech hospitals.
However, if you choose Blackrock Clinic or Mater Private for these types of surgery, there is no shortfall. These 2 hospitals do not pass on the shortfall charge to the patient. Other private hospitals may charge the shortfall amount which could be 2000+ depending on the hospital and type of surgery involved.
There is excellent day to day cover on this plan, but for anyone over 65 yrs, VHI impose a 2 year waiting until this extra cover is allowed.
She would stay on HealthPlus Extra day to day cover while waiting.
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The above 2 alternative options have no hospital excess to pay on admission or day case in private or hi-tech hospitals.
The following 2 options are similar to Health Plus Access with 100% orthopaedic and cataract eye surgery in private hospitals and Level 2 cardiac
cover included. The only difference is that there is a hospital excess included on these plans. A hospital excess is a once off payment on admission to a private or hi-tech hospital for each stay or day case treatment. It is not payable in any public hospital.
3. Health Plus Excess; price 1799pa; public, private and hi-tech hospital covered as before, hospital excess 75 per admission to a private/hi-tech hospital or 75 per day case.
4. Health Access; price 1645pa; public, private and hi-tech hospital covered as before, hospital excess 125 per admission to a private/hi-tech
hospital or 125 per day case.
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Regards, Snowyb