A lot of people switched to Aviva's level 2 Hospital from Plan B or Plan B Options and made significant savings last year as it was the most comparable plan.
This year the renewal premium for that plan is €1,030 with the introduction of a copayment or excess for the first 2k of some orthopaedic operations that cost in excess of 10k from 1st January.
The cost this year of Plan B now called HealthPlus Access is €1,251 with no copayment or excess for orthopaedic procedures.
This year the most comparable plans for VHI's Plan B Options is not Level 2 Hospital but Aviva's Level 2 Complete Health (€1,397) which has no excess on orthopaedic procedures in private and hi tech hospitals.
The most comparable Quinn plan is Essential Plus no excess at a price of €1,390 - more if you don't pay up front.
VHI - Plan B Options (HealthPlusAccess) - €1,460
Aviva - Level 2 Complete Health - - €1,397
Quinn - Essential Plus - €1,390
For those existing customers, the Level 2 Hospital plan still offers a 29% saving over Plan B options but it now has this ortho excess that Plan B Options doesn't.
By the way VHI only pay 80% for the same orthopaedic (and more) plus certain opthalmic procedures in private and hi tech hospitals for virtually all of their plans now.
These plans were all sub 500 euro 3/4 years ago - that is serious inflation.
If one is happy to have certain excesses on their plan, you can nearly halve those prices. Not everyone, especially older people, will want to have these excesses.
I am familiar with all 3 company's renewal notices. It sounds as if you get your documentation by email rather than hard copy. The letter does state that there is a reduction in cover and offers alternative cover but it is up to the customer to make contact with Aviva or financial advisor to make the change as Aviva canot make the change without an instruction as they comply with CPC rules. This is why I don't sign up to electronic documentation because it is easier to miss stuff like this.
The market has changed and will continue to do so.
Did you hear Minister Reilly's comments on Pat Kenny on Thursday ? - if not have a listen to the podcast. He thinks one gets a lot for a €1,000 in the health insurance market.
Patrick