Dennis F. Says:
What’s the healthcare like in Ireland?
IL Lifestyle Editor Sean Keenan 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 are resident in Ireland and require hospital treatment, you will not 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 will no longer be charged, though you will continue to receive hospital services.
There is also a private health system in Ireland, which many residents use to avoid long waiting times on the public system.
This is quite a bone of contention in Ireland, as people complain that the waiting lists for non-emergency procedures are too long. (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 enrolment). 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 cover 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 will find at least one doctor’s office (surgery) and/or a health center. Doctors will take plenty of time to treat you—patients here certainly aren’t regarded as commodities on a supermarket conveyor belt. Visiting a family practitioner doctor 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.
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