BUPA Ireland announced on 31 October 2006 that it is increasing its Maternity Grant in Aid allowances for admissions to private facilities on or after 1 October 2006 as follows:

These amounts will fully cover the cost of three night’s private accommodation in a public hospital and these amounts also apply if a BUPA Ireland member chooses to have their baby at home.

Vhi Healthcare

With effect from 6 October 2006, VHI has launched a new level of out-patient cover for its 'LifeStage Choices' and 'Company Plan Plus' members called Day to Day Level 2 – LifeStage Choices.

Essentially this new plan allows 'LifeStage Choices' and 'Company Plan Plus' members to purchase additional cover that will increase the level of refund they already receive for a wide range of day to day out-patient expenses and a number of new benefits are also included.

The additional premium will be €81.24 per adult (Gross) and €37.49 per child (Gross) and the enhanced benefits are broadly speaking an additional €10 refund for most benefits although please see below for an exact breakdown.

Vhi Healthcare – VHI DeCare Dental

Effective from 15 November 2006, VHI DeCare Dental are increasing the premium rates on their plans aimed at Individual / Affinity & Salary Deduction paid and Company paid dental plans by approximately 10 per cent and decreasing the benefits payable on their Individual /Affinity / Salary Deduction paid plans.

There is no reduction in the benefit’s offered on Company paid VHI DeCare Dental plans but the main changes to the Individual / Affinity / Salary Deduction plans are as follows:

• Waiting period that must be served for Major Restorative Treatment (Crowns etc) is increasing from 3 months to 12 months.
• Benefit payable for Major Restorative Treatment is reducing from 70 per cent to 50 per cent and there is now a cap of €500 annual maximum payable for crowns.
• The overall maximum benefit payable per year is reducing from €2,500 to €1,500 per person.

VIVAS Health

With effect from 10 October 2006 the countries newest health insurer VIVAS Health has increased it’s premiums by approximately 6.7 per cent across all it’s plan range.

The overall average increase is 6.7 per cent for both adult and child premiums but for instance there is a mix of increases for adults ranging from 9.11 per cent on VIVAS Health 'We' Plan Level 2 to 15.16 per cent for an adult on 'We' Plan Level 5.

As outlined in previous Watson Wyatt bulletins this follows an average increase of 12.5 per cent from VHI, in September 2006 and an average increase of 9.85 per cent from BUPA Ireland in March last.

As this latest price increase shows the overall cost of private health insurance provision is still on the increase in Ireland with average premiums over the last 8 years increasing by over 130 per cent.

VIVAS Health has however announced that from 10 October 2006 it will introduce the following new and enhanced benefits:

• Health Screening – range of contributions from €35 to €180 depending on chosen tests and VIVAS Health approved providers. (Please contact us if you require specific details).
• Smoking Cessation - €100 refund of the cost of the 'Alan Carr Easyway to stop smoking' clinic provided you remain a non smoker for 90 days.
• Increased maternity grant in aid cover on VIVAS Health 'I' and 'We' plans as follows.

Watson Wyatt Ireland’s Healthcare consulting practice is uniquely placed to help you review your existing arrangements and provide independent advise on maximising your health insurance benefit offering and identify potential cost savings.

If you would like to find out more or get specific information as to exact benefit changes outlined in this bulletin please contact Aongus Loughlin at the following:
aongus.loughlin@watsonwyatt.com
Tel: 01-6146872
Mobile: 087-2834983

Please click here if you have any questions or wish to unsubscribe.

Click here to read the privacy policy / terms of use for Watson Wyatt.

Powered by DREAMmail