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Healthcare Bulletin: November 2005
Addition of new benefits follows premium increase from VIVAS Health

With effect from 10 October 2005, VIVAS Health are increasing their premium rates by an average of 7.5 per cent, introducing some new benefits plus enhancing benefits which had fallen behind in terms of how they compared to their competitors.

As outlined the overall average increase is 7.5 per cent but the exact breakdown is as follows:

On 19 October 2005, BUPA Ireland announced that with effect from 1 October 2005 they have increased the maternity benefits across all of their plan range.

Maternity grant in aid allowances for admissions to private facilities effective from 1 October 2005 are as follows:
 

'Me' Plan Level 1 Level 2 Increase 5.9% 9.3%

'I' and 'We' Plans Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Increase Adult rates 8.1% 9.45% 9.8% 4.8% 6.9% Increase Child/Student rates 8.2% 9.3% 9.3% 9.3% 9.3%

There has also been an increase in the premium for VIVAS Health 'Day to Day' (specific Out-patient cover) in the region of approximately 7.5 per cent.

In conjunction with these premium increases, VIVAS Health are also introducing the following new benefits:

Laser Eye Surgery – with effect from 10 October 2005 all VIVAS Health members regardless of plan will be able to claim €1,000 back from VIVAS Health for 'Wavefront' guided laser treatment at the Optilase Laser Eye Clinic in Dublin.

The current quoted cost for this procedure (both eyes) is €2,990 which is payable by the patient. €1,000 is refunded directly from VIVAS Health and the patient can then claim tax relief from the Revenue Commissioners at their marginal rate less the €125 individual or €250 family excess.

It is worth noting that there is no waiting period applying to this benefit.

Post Operative Home Help – this benefit is to provide domestic support (cooking, cleaning and general housework) to VIVAS Health members who have been in hospital for a range of specific medical procedures (check with VIVAS Health as to list of qualifying procedures). VIVAS Health will pay up to €100 per day for 3 days within 21 days of discharge.

Please note that this benefit is only available on Plans 'I' and 'We' level 3, 4 and 5.

VIVAS Health have also introduced Psycho Oncology Counselling and Manual Lymph Drainage for cancer patients and cover up to €30 per treatment (limits apply) for a wide range of Massage treatments carried out by members of the Irish Massage Therapist Association under their 'Day to Day' plans.

VIVAS Health are also enhancing their Maternity Grant in Aid allowances for admissions to private facilities as follows:
 

Plan Old allowance New allowance 'I' & 'We' Level 1 €1,500 €1,600 'I' & 'We' Level 2 €1,700 €2,200 'I' & 'We' Level 3 €1,800 €2,300 'I' & 'We' Level 4 €1,900 €2,400 'I' & 'We' Level 5 €2,000 €2,500

The addition of benefits such as cover for Laser Eye Surgery is new to the Irish private health insurance market and once more shows that with the increased competition, price differences and choice of plans available the review of your healthcare/health insurance provision may prove to be a very worthwhile exercise.

Watson Wyatt Ireland's newly established Healthcare consulting practice is uniquely placed to help you review your existing arrangements and provide independent advise as to how you might maximise your health insurance benefit offering and identify potential cost savings.

If you would like to find out more about the differences or to obtain independent comparisons between the different providers and plans available in the Irish health insurance market please contact Aongus Loughlin.