Health Insurance

What is making me re-evaluate is the quicker access to newer cancer treatments in private hospitals if the need ever arose. Am I missing something though? Do people with health insurance always use a private hospital when they need to go in? Are all your costs covered except for the excess in your visits? 

I have a VHI policy, their second cheapest I think, so low level of cover. Had a couple of GP visits last year and got €20 back per visit. I also need an MRI on my lower back thanks to old age and once I get a GP referral that will be covered by VHI without having to go on a Public waiting list. 

You will be covered in a Public hospital under any plan, but as the cover rises so does you level of cover obviously, semi private room or private room in a public or private hospital etc.

Moght be worth having a look at hia.ie and get an understanding of what means what.

My mother has had a lot of health problems recently and the waiting list was still very long going through private.

The healthcare system in Ireland is really bad. Badly organised, not well funded, etc.

You'd want to be careful IM coz that could be considered a pre existing condition and therefore you wouldn't get cover for up to 5 years.

I probably have the same and have had the policy since I started my current job back in 2006. Have an excess of €500 which is piss all if anything major is needed. Like some on here people tell me it's a waste of money but having paid it for so long I'll never cancel it as it does provide peace of mind. Comes out from gross pay too like Andy so don't pay full amount really. Work are starting to pay it for us a benefit this year up to €1,500 so will be upping the policy once that comes in.

Are you sure it comes from Gross pay.  As in before you are taxed?