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Healthcare in Ireland


#1  2012-05-16 15:03:14

Julien
Founder
Julien
From: Grand Baie
Registered: 2005-03-11
Posts: 27427

Healthcare in Ireland

Hi,

how does the healthcare system works in Ireland ? Is it efficient ?

What are the main differences between public and private sectors?

Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Ireland?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience !

Julien




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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#2  2012-05-21 17:52:53

golfvictor13
New member
From: Muckanagheiderdauhaulia
Registered: 2009-10-05
Posts: 5

Re: Healthcare in Ireland

Julien,

Health care is pretty poor, Saying that once you are in the system there is a good follow up, but again some have had bad experience.however Private insurrance is a necessity.

If you are an employe most company provide you with private health care converage, you may need to pay reduce fees for your wife/partner and kids.

If you are self employed then it is up to you.

not sure about your questions about the difference between public and private sector, but its mostly the same as other countries.

hope this helps, you may want to go to the french embassy portal, they have good and more detailleds info

Hope this helps

Gilles




 
 
 

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#3  2012-05-21 23:21:24

hitchhiker42
New member
From: Dublin
Registered: 2012-05-13
Posts: 9

Re: Healthcare in Ireland

Most companies offer a choice of benefits, same as in America.  The government does offer free public health care but it is not available to everyone.  The Irish government runs a welfare state, which means they give out a lot of benefits to the poor-and-needy.  Public health care is "means tested" so if you qualify as low-income, they give you free medical.

Expats and EU-citizens (educated professionals) moving to Ireland to work will have to purchase private health care.  The government won't give you any handouts if you are an educated professional, but if you're just off the boat from a third-world country (a.k.a. an Asylum Seeker) you'll get everything handed to you.  It's a situation which confuses and angers a lot of Irish citizens, but that's just how the government decides to operate.  Ireland is quite friendly to those who contribute little to the work force in terms of professional experience and education, and they tax the heck out of the "working class" folks.

There are several choices for health insurance, VHI and Aviva come to mind first.  My company has a yearly allowance for health benefits, and lets employees choose the insurance provider and level of coverage on their own.  If you go over the company allowance, they take extra out of your paycheck.  If you choose a minimal plan, you actually get some money back.

Last edited by hitchhiker42 (2012-05-22 09:15:57)




 
 
 

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#4  2012-05-21 23:24:23

sportbros
New member
Registered: 2010-05-16
Posts: 2

Re: Healthcare in Ireland

Live in Ireland as expat and wish I could answer your questions but I really don't know how health care works here.  We have used it but don't understand it.  For one thing we have private insurance but had to go public for my husband's Achilles Tendon rupture as the private hospital only does elective orthopedics not emergency.  There were no beds so he was never admitted to the hospital and stayed in A & E before and after his surgery.  The public physio had a waiting period of 2 weeks so we find a private physiotherapist which our private insurance picked up some of the cost.  I would get private insurance due to the lengthy waits for public.  I, too have been told that once your "in the system" you get great care.  Specialist are also hard to find.  Some wait years for an appointment.  I don't know if private insurance would get one in quicker or not.




 
 
 

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#5  2012-05-22 01:25:57

RobbieIE
Active member
Registered: 2012-02-18
Posts: 35

Re: Healthcare in Ireland

There is no such thing as 'free healthcare' as indicated by some posters here. Everyone must pay for their medication or prescriptions. Private healthcare is cheap for rich working people who can afford to pay it.

Healthcare is being decimated by austerity cuts in Ireland. Some hospitals are closing while others are being downgraded. Cancer patients are being cut off from anti-cancer drugs because the Irish state is bankrupt paying billionaire bondholders of private banks. There is better healthcare in Britain which is free to EU and non-EU citizens unlike the Irish system.




 

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#6  2012-05-22 09:13:39

hitchhiker42
New member
From: Dublin
Registered: 2012-05-13
Posts: 9

Re: Healthcare in Ireland

RobbieIE wrote:

There is no such thing as 'free healthcare' as indicated by some posters here. Everyone must pay for their medication or prescriptions. Private healthcare is cheap for rich working people who can afford to pay it.

I beg to differ.  I refer you to the Health Service Executive web site which explains how to apply for Medical Cards:

"Medical Cards allow people to access a Family Doctor or GP services, community health services, dental services, hospital care and a range of other benefits free of charge. Click here for a range of Questions and Answers on Medical Cards and how they work."

This information is found on a government web site:  http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_S … cal_Cards/

This information is duplicated on another government web site, which states:  "A medical card issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) allows the holder to receive certain health services free of charge."

From:  http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/he … _card.html

One may apply for a Medical Card at:  http://www.medicalcard.ie

However, I believe you are right in saying everyone must pay for their prescriptions.  Due to recent austerity measures, "A prescription charge of €0.50 per item prescribed will be charged to all Medical Card holders."  So technically, a once-free prescription now costs 50 cents.




 
 
 

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#7  2012-05-22 11:00:52

Aurélie
Team
Aurélie
From: Pamplemousses
Registered: 2012-05-02
Posts: 19610

Re: Healthcare in Ireland

Thank you all for your input smile

Aurélie




 

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#8  2012-05-22 14:48:12

RobbieIE
Active member
Registered: 2012-02-18
Posts: 35

Re: Healthcare in Ireland

Until recently, people have been entitled to free prescriptions but under new measures unveiled in November 2011, a Medical card to soon COST 50EUR. 

Prescription charge has now increased to refund only after 12EUR,  so a loss of 1.50EUR on previous 10 euro ceiling.

Due to people not taking their medication, particularly those on long-term medication, the 0.50EUR prescription charge has remained temporarily the same. In any case, that is set to change.




 

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#9  2012-12-17 15:27:15

hannahsmith
New member
From: Dublin
Registered: 2012-12-12
Posts: 2

Re: Healthcare in Ireland

One of my cousin invited me last year in Ireland, for the health treatment( i was facing backbone pain), and after 2 month treatment, i really got benefited.
I think healthcare in Ireland is very nice.

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