How to Compare Health Insurance in Ireland

Public hospitals in Ireland provide both public and private health care. Patients receiving public care pay a maintenance fee of of €75 or $104 per day, up to €750 or $1039 per year, when receiving treatment in a public hospital. All other costs and treatments are free. Public patients may not choose their own doctor, have a private room or receive care at a private hospital.



If an individual is receiving private care in a public hospital, you or your insurance pays for the maintenance fee of €758 or $1050 per day for a semi-private room or €910 or $1260 per day for a private room as well as any fees for medical consultations. Patients may choose their own medical consultant. Private hospitals set their own prices. Private health insurance is available to everyone at a standard price depending on the community and insurers may not deny coverage for pre-existing conditions or age.

Instructions

In-patient Insurance

• 1

  Choose in-patient insurance or cash plan or both. In-patient insurance provides coverage for hospital stays, treatments, maternity and psychiatric coverage and out-patient benefits. Some things are not covered such as cosmetic surgeries, birth control, or expenses that will be covered by a third party. Cash plans provide cash amounts for hospital stays and out-patient benefits. Many cash plans do not provide coverage for in-patient care.

• 2

  Evaluate the coverage you want from an in-patient plan. For example, consider whether you will need maternity coverage or if you will be including children on your plan. Also decide how much you are comfortable paying out-of-pocket in medical costs each year.

• 3

  Compare the in-patient insurance plans based on the criteria you determined for yourself. In-patient insurance is offered by Aviva Health, Quinn Healthcare and Vhi Healthcare.

• 4

  Choose the plan that best meets your needs and contact the provider you have chosen. Apply for the plan you selected and ask if there will be a waiting period before benefits may be claimed.

Cash Plans

• 5

  Compare the coverage you are receiving with your in-patient insurance plan if you have one. You do not want to pay for the same coverage on both your in-patient insurance and your cash plan. Determine what coverage you need from your cash plan.

• 6

  Evaluate the plans offered by Aviva Health, Quinn Healthcare and Vhi Healthcare. Each plan offers a daily cash amount for medical expenses. Check what services are excluded from the plans and choose the plan that most closely meets your needs.

• 7

  Contact the provider you have chosen and apply for the cash plan you have selected. Providers must accept you for the plan you choose. Find out if there will be a waiting period before you may claim benefits offered.