Health Insurance Should we change from VHI Company Plan Extra Level 2 to Level 1? Or should we have different plans?

We are both in early seventies with health issues. I have cancer and OH has long covid. He also has 'bad' knees and other problems. I don't know if if's wise moving to Level 1 - there's a savings of €160 each - but I've been told there's very little difference between the two plans. Ideally I'd like to find a cheaper plan but with similar benefits to Level 2. Unfortunately the consultants my OH attends are in the Beacon and Blackrock Clinic and if he has to have a procedure that's where he goes. He was in hospital 3 times last year. I attend St. Vincent's Private for my oncology treatment and tend to be referred to consultants there for any other issues. We've always been with VHI but I wonder if other insurers have anything cheaper that would suit us?

Hi, I'm no expert on the subject but we are in the process of renewing too.

We have been in Comp Plan Level 2 extra excess payed for through my employer.
We are in our 60's (me later 60's).

Now being retired I need to pay for it myself so rang VHI for a review over the phone.
We have moved to VHI Advanced Care 100 Day to Day.
Reason being that Comp Plan Level 2 only covered 80% of hips, knees, cataracts. Older people stuff.

Advanced Care 100 covers less day to day level of cover, had more excess on some stuff and was more costly.
However it covers a higher level for the older person expected big stuff.

At very least I would suggest phoning and getting a review from VHI. I found it very helpful. The young lady took her time and explained everything very well.

There's a new provider on the block (Level Health). They may be worth checking out. There's a recent thread on this forum.
My plan is to stick with VHI and check out 'Level Health' before next renewal.

I'd very careful reducing cover at our stage in life if you can avoid it.

I'd love to know how you get on.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and best possible health.

Deauville said:

Now being retired I need to pay for it myself so rang VHI for a review over the phone.
We have moved to VHI Advanced Care 100 Day to Day.
Reason being that Comp Plan Level 2 only covered 80% of hips, knees, cataracts. Older people st

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Deauville said:

Advanced Care 100 covers less day to day level of cover, had more excess on some stuff and was more costly.
However it covers a higher level for the older person expected big stuff.

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Just checking on this - will you have a 5-year waiting period for the improved benefits ?

euroDilbert said:

Just checking on this - will you have a 5-year waiting period for the improved benefits ?

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The Upgrade Rule would most likely apply - https://www.vhi.ie/pdf/products/hospital_plans_app_form.pdf (see here)

Upgrading your level of cover

Age at upgrade Waiting period – for existing conditions

Under 64 2 years
65 or over 5 years

Aoibheann said:

I don't know if if's wise moving to Level 1 - there's a savings of €160 each - but I've been told there's very little difference between the two plans.

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HIA comparison here.

So total save mentioned would be €320. The main differences would be appear to be on Convalesence with a difference of €40 per night for 14 nights, Physio on Level 2 is €40 x 12 and Level 1 is €35 x 7.

The other apparent difference on the day-to-day cover under Cancer Support Benefit is:

Wig/hairpiece, sleeping cap, post-mastectomy bra, swimsuit, surgical prosthesis - Full cover, (no excess, but subject to the maximum for medical and surgical appliances of €6,500) on Level 2 and only €3,200 on Level 1.

The AAM thread mentioned above about Level Health is here but does not instill confidence. To be direct and to the point, with unfortunately both your and your husband's health issues, you need to be very careful about any move on both the company and plan front. Your 75% on consultants etc is excellent.

If your renewal is imminent perhaps a visit to Dermot Goode at www.totalhealthcover.ie for your next renewal would be a better idea. The fee may be worth spending.

Best of luck with your endeavours

Thank you, Deauville, you made excellent points about the level of cover for 'older people stuff' and about asking VHI for a review. I will certainly contact VHI tomorrow and have a look at Advanced Care in the meantime. We over seventies have free GP visits so that's one day-to-day cost we don't need cover for.

Sue Ellen, I did contact Dermot Goode and it was one of his advisors who suggested I consider moving to Level One as both plans are similar. They also suggested my husband move to PMI 24 10 (saving €610) but as all of my husband's consultants work in the Beacon and Blackrock Clinic when I compared the plan I saw that it wouldn't provide adequate cover. In fairness, I didn't inform the advisor where my husband's consultants were based, just told them about our various health problems and ages.

euroDilbert, I didn't know about the Upgrade Rule! Thank you for bringing that to my attention, that will affect us should we choose a plan that is deemed an upgrade. There's not much point in paying a lot more on an upgrade that doesn't come into effect for another 5 years.

Hi Aoibheann,

I am currently on PMI 2410 with VHI and do find it be an excellent plan but as you say Blackrock would be a problem, because probably the private room aspect, which is all they appear to have. AFAIK you can pay an extra per night charge for the Beacon for a private room on PMI2410 but I found these are often few and far between there. Not too familiar with Vincent's Private.

The HIA have the following information on the Upgrade Rule which with VHI does not apply to day-to-day expenses but does apply on hospital stay etc.

euroDilbert said:

Just checking on this - will you have a 5-year waiting period for the improved benefits ?

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Yes for me and 2 years for my wife.
[Edit] On reflection I could have sworn the VHI said 2 years for both of us but looking at Sue Ellen's link to VHI doc it may well be 5 years for me.
I'm a little confused as the HIA site indicates 2 years for over 55.

In the interim, we would (I presume) be covered up to the limit of the previous policy 'company plan level 2' which we were on for many years.
I should have reviewed the policy before hitting 65.

Deauville said:

[Edit] On reflection I could have sworn the VHI said 2 years for both of us but looking at Sue Ellen's link to VHI doc it may well be 5 years for me.
I'm a little confused as the HIA site indicates 2 years for over 55.

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I've been told on a number of occasions by VHI staff that there are often errors in information on the HIA website. Best to check it out with VHI probably by email to confirm you have it in writing.

Sue Ellen said:

I've been told on a number of occasions by VHI staff that there are often errors in information on the HIA website. Best to check it out with VHI probably by email to confirm you have it in writing.

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Thanks for that and all the other very useful information you volunteer.

It's very possible if not probable that I heard the VHI agent wrongly.
Either way I'd prefer to have started the waiting period whatever it is.

Many thanks.

I'm unbelievably confused. When VHI refer to 'Covered with 80% cover for certain orthopaedic and ophthalmic procedures' where do I find online what these procedures cost/what the shortfall is and which hospitals? OH may need knee replacement sooner rather than later, and I need my cataracts removed at some stage (unspecified).

Obviously we won't be covered in time given the 2 year waiting period even if we upgrade our policy now Our renewal date was January 1st and the clock is ticking. However, I assume it's still worthwhile to upgrade as we are getting older and more vulnerable... I'm tempted by DeauVille's policy VHI Advanced Care 100 Day to Day..

I’d suggest making a list of questions and then ringing VHI for a review as a good starting point.
Then do your sums and consider your options.
On a very positive note, you have a good deal of cover as it is.

Will do. Thank you

Aoibheann said:

where do I find online what these procedures cost/what the shortfall is and which hospitals?

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Probably differs from surgeon to surgeon and hospital to hospital. You will probably only find this info by ringing the hospitals. Understand that the Sports Injury clinic in Santry has very good reputation so you could possibly start there. Blackrock is another. As mentioned above VHI will probably give you some advice also along with friends/relatives who might be able to give recommendations.

I rang VHI and nice lady there advised me to stay with our current policy as the 2 year Upgrade Rule would apply if we increased our policy. This was because I am concerned that my husband will need either a knee or/and hip replacement within the next couple of years. The policy she considered best to upgrade to (if I so wished) was Advanced Care 50 Day to Day. So I've another few days to dither over whether to upgrade or not! I don't think I can find a similar policy to Company Plan 2 Extra at a cheaper premium

Aoibheann said:

I rang VHI and nice lady there advised me to stay with our current policy as the 2 year Upgrade Rule would apply if we increased our policy. This was because I am concerned that my husband will need either a knee or/and hip replacement within the next couple of years. The policy she considered best to upgrade to (if I so wished) was Advanced Care 50 Day to Day. So I've another few days to dither over whether to upgrade or not! I don't think I can find a similar policy to Company Plan 2 Extra at a cheaper premium

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It’s a difficult decision indeed.

We settled for the Advanced Care 100 Day to Day. The 100 refers to shortfall per claim for accommodation in a private hospital.
There will be a 2 year waiting period for any increase in level of cover.

We will therefore be at the 80% level of cover for orthopaedic and ophthalmic for 2 years.
Thankfully there’s no 5 year waiting period for new illness increase in cover. 2 years only.

Hopefully more competition may help regarding cost going forward.

Sue Ellen said:

The Upgrade Rule would most likely apply - https://www.vhi.ie/pdf/products/hospital_plans_app_form.pdf (see here)

Upgrading your level of cover

Age at upgrade Waiting period – for existing conditions

Under 64 2 years
65 or over 5 years

Click to expand...

I see the VHI leaflet that I linked to above has been removed because it was most likely incorrect @Aoibheann @Deauville so info on HIA site does appear to be correct after all

It seems that the maximum period is 2 years for existing patients who have Inpatients pre-existing condition and the 5 years is actually for new customer.

Switching/upgrade waiting periods​

If you are switching policies to a policy with lower cover, you won't have to serve any waiting periods (unless you are currently serving new customer waiting periods).

If you are switching policies to a policy with higher cover, the following maximum waiting periods may be applied to any higher benefit on the new policy:

Any higher benefit: 2 years

Maternity benefits: 52 weeks

During the waiting periods, you will be covered to the level of cover of your previous policy.

The insurers don’t always apply the maximum waiting periods. The tables below show the current waiting periods for Irish Life Health, Laya Healthcare, and Vhi Healthcare. With all insurers, there is a 52-week waiting period for higher maternity benefits.

Irish Life Health
Laya Healthcare
Level Health
Vhi Healthcare

Sue Ellen said:

I see the VHI leaflet that I linked to above has been removed because it was most likely incorrect @Aoibheann @Deauville so info on HIA site does appear to be correct after all

It seems that the maximum period is 2 years for existing patients who have Inpatients pre-existing condition and the 5 years is actually for new customer.

Switching/upgrade waiting periods​

If you are switching policies to a policy with lower cover, you won't have to serve any waiting periods (unless you are currently serving new customer waiting periods).

If you are switching policies to a policy with higher cover, the following maximum waiting periods may be applied to any higher benefit on the new policy:

Any higher benefit: 2 years

Maternity benefits: 52 weeks

During the waiting periods, you will be covered to the level of cover of your previous policy.

The insurers don’t always apply the maximum waiting periods. The tables below show the current waiting periods for Irish Life Health, Laya Healthcare, and Vhi Healthcare. With all insurers, there is a 52-week waiting period for higher maternity benefits.

Irish Life Health

Age	Outpatient medical expenses	Day-to-day medical expenses	Inpatient pre-existing condition
Under 55	None	None	2 years
55+	None	26 weeks	2 years

Laya Healthcare

Age	Outpatient medical expenses	Inpatient pre-existing condition
All age groups	None	2 years

Level Health

Age	Outpatient medical expenses	Inpatient pre-existing condition
All age groups	None	2 years

Vhi Healthcare

Age	Outpatient medical expenses	Day-to-day medical expenses	Inpatient pre-existing condition
Under 50	None	None	2 years
50-54	None	None	2 years
55-64	None	None	2 years
65+	None	None	2 years

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Thanks @Sue Ellen , I took your advice at the time. I emailed VHI and got the reply regarding the max 2 year waiting period in writing.
All good.