Hi phelixoflaherty,
Welcome to AAM.
Firstly, just to explain regarding hip replacement surgery in private hospitals - the VHI plan you are on now only covers 80% of the cost of a hip
replacement surgery. The 20% shortfall could cost 3000, depending on the hospital. The only way to avoid this cost is if you have this type of
surgery done in the Blackrock Clinic in Dublin. This hospital does not pass on the shortfall charge to the patient. In other words, they fully cover
hip replacement surgery even on a plan with 80% cover. Note; other private hospitals will charge you the shortfall amount of 3k approx.
The best alternative plans would be with Laya Healthcare, as they fully cover hip + knee replacement surgery in all private hospitals.
1. Laya Simply Connect plan; price 1230pa; all public, private and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered, private/hi-tech admission excess is capped at
150 x 2 max per year for all admissions. Day case excess is 50 per procedure. Good day to day cover included, 50% refund upto a max of 500
per year (50% of 1000 = 500). Full cover for hip + knee replacement surgery in all private hospitals. Note; NO excess applies to hip or knee
replacement surgery.
2. Laya Control 150 Secure; price 1654pa; all public, private (including full cover for a private room) and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered. Private or
hi-tech hospital inpatient excess 150 per admission. Day case excess 75 per procedure. Very good day to day cover included, 75% refund for
gp, consultant etc. Full orthopaedic cover on this plan in all private and hi-tech hospitals.
3. VHI PMI 07 10; price 1240pa; all public, private and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered. Private or hi-tech hospital inpatient capped at 150 x 1 max for
all admissions. Day case excess 50 per procedure. Good day to day cover included, 50% refund for gp, consultant, physio etc. 80% cover for
hip and knee replacement surgery in private and hi-tech hospitals. (NOTE; no cover in Whitfield Clinic Waterford and Kingsbridge hospital, Sligo
on this plan so if these hospitals matter, this plan is not recommended).
4. VHI PMI 17 10; price 1574pa;(price increase 1611pa from 1/1/2020) all public, private and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered, private/hi-tech hospital inpatient excess 75 per admission. Day case excess 75 per procedure. Good day to day cover included, similar to current plan, 75% refund for gp, consultants etc. 80% cover for hip and knee replacement surgery in private and hi-tech hospitals. (NOTE; no cover in Bons Secours Galway and Whitfield Clinic Waterford on this plan so if these 2 hospitals matter, its not recommended),
5. VHI PMI 38 14; price 1679pa; all public, private and 3 hi-tech hospitals covered, No excess with this plan for admission/ day case to
private/hi-tech hospitals. Very good day to day cover included, refund of 130 for consultant visits, 75% refund for gp, 40 euro refund for physio, dental,
etc. 80% cover for hip and knee replacement surgery in private hospitals.
https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/...Mb2NrIjpmYWxzZSwicGxhbl9kZXRhaWxfaWQiOi0xfX1d
https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/#/plan-comparison?plansAndProfiles=W3siaWQiOjEsImFnZSI6MjYsIm1pbk1heFByaWNlIjpbMCw2NTAwXSwibWluTWF4RXhjZXNzIjpbMCwxNTBdLCJwbGFuVHlwZSI6MSwicGxhbnNTZWxlY3RlZCI6WzgyMywxMjc2LDEyOTYsMTE5Ml0sInBsYW5zIjp7ImRhdGEiOltdLCJsb2FkaW5nIjp0cnVlfSwicGxhbnNTZWxlY3RlZERhdGEiOltdLCJhcHBsaWNhdGlvbiI6eyJ0b2dnbGVfc2Nyb2xsTG9jayI6ZmFsc2UsInBsYW5fZGV0YWlsX2lkIjotMX19XQ==
You can choose different plans if you want and also you can be with different providers if it suits.
Regards, Snowyb