Dennis F. Says:
What’s the healthcare like in Ireland?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Dennis,
One of the many benefits to living in Ireland is access to high quality, free or affordable healthcare. Thanks to the country’s publicly-funded health system, if you’re an Ireland resident and require hospital treatment, you won’t have to pay for it.
It’s important to note that, while hospital treatment is free, you may be liable for in-patient charges. In other words, bed and board is not generally free.
The charge for in-patient services is €80 per day up to a maximum of €800 in any 12 consecutive months. Once you hit that €800 limit you’ll no longer be charged, though you will continue to receive hospital services.
There’s also a private health system in Ireland, which many residents use to avoid long wait times on the public system.
Wait times for non-emergency procedures are quite a bone of contention in Ireland. But don’t worry, if you’re in a medical emergency, you will be seen and treated immediately, even on the public system.
There are only three companies in Ireland offering private health insurance to individuals; VHI, Aviva, and Laya. They all offer a broadly similar choice of health plans.
Insurers are obliged by law to accept any applicant who wishes to purchase health insurance. They cannot discriminate on age or health status (open enrollment). They cannot terminate a policy contract against the will of the insured person (lifetime cover). They must apply the same premium for a given level of coverage regardless of the age or health status presented by the insured (community rating); and policies must offer a minimum benefit level prescribed by law.
With one third of the population living in and around Dublin, that’s where you’ll find most of the major medical facilities (public and private). In remote rural areas, you may be 50 miles or more from the nearest hospital.
But in every town and large village, you’ll find at least one doctor’s office (surgery) and/or a health center. Doctors will take plenty of time to treat you—patients here aren’t regarded as commodities on a supermarket conveyor belt. Visiting a family practitioner costs around €35 to €60.
You can find more information about life in Ireland—including the healthcare available—on the dedicated web pages of your IL website here.
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