The best medical insurance is typically available through the employer and thus the available services depend on the deal each employer has made with the insurance company of their choice.
The standard services include coverage of patient contributions for family doctor and specialist visits, as well as hospital stays and ambulatory care. Also costs for vaccinations and rehabilitation services are included in the basic packages. Additional services usually include reimbursement for medicines, dental care, optician services, and fitness clubs.
However, private insurance will provide a full range of services. You will find covers for sickness, specialists, pregnancy, children, care home, dentist, hospital, fitness, etc.
Private Medical Insurance in Dublin
Health insurance is used to pay for private care in hospital or from various health professionals in hospitals or in their practices. You can take out private health insurance to help meet the cost of medical expenses. For example, private hospitals set their own charges. If you have private health insurance, it may cover some or all of the charges.
The arrangements vary from one company to another but most companies have agreements with hospitals, which means the company will pay the hospital directly. In general, for outpatient costs you pay the health professional and then claim from the health insurance company. You should check with your own company as to exactly what procedures they use.
The Health Insurance Authority (HIA) is the independent statutory regulator for the private health insurance market in Ireland. It monitors the operation of health insurance business in Ireland and advises the Minister for Health in this regard, including assessing the effect of any regulations or new legislation on consumers. The HIA aims to ensure that consumers are aware of their rights and that policies and publicity material describe cover in a fair and comparable way. The Authority also reviews the appropriateness of the procedures used by insurers in their dealings with consumers.
The Health Insurance Authority has useful publications called My Rights, My Choices and Selecting a Private Health Insurance Product.
A number of companies offer voluntary private health insurance in Ireland. For example:
- GloHealth was taken over by Irish Life Health in 2016. GloHealth customers will be invited to join Irish Life Health as their policies come up for renewal.
- HSF Health Plan (provides cash benefit plans but not in-patient health insurance)
- Irish Life Health (formerly Aviva Health)
- VHI Healthcare
| You will find information and free quotes for private healthcare in the partnership section below this article. |
Update 14/10/2017
Expatriate health insurance in Ireland
With so much to deal with before leaving your home country, (taxes, moving house, paperwork etc.) the careful planning of your expatriation to Dublin is an essential step. As far as healthcare is concerned, your local social security scheme won’t be accompanying you to your host country and, once abroad, you might be surprised by the care system you find in Ireland So, before leaving, make sure you have appropriate cover!
Cigna is one of the world's biggest international insurers with more than 30 years' experience in providing global health insurance across 200 countries and territories. They have access to more than 1.65 million hospitals, physicians, clinics and specialists worldwide.
Cigna Global's flexible plans are specifically designed for expats and globally mobile individuals who move to Ireland. All their plans can be tailored to your individual requirements in Ireland, always finding the right healthcare solution, whatever the situation and budget.
Getting a health insurance quote
Create your perfect plan with Cigna and combine the reassurance of comprehensive inpatient cover with the flexibility of optional extra benefits.
Click on the button to access the online tool and get a quote in 2 minutes.