Vhi SwiftCare Clinics to become a dedicated service for Vhi Customers only from 1st September 2017

 

15th June 2017: Vhi today announced that with effect from the 1st September 2017, only Vhi customers will have access to the Vhi SwiftCare Clinics. This decision was made to ensure speed of access for Vhi customers to the facilities. Vhi also announced that it will introduce a suite of new benefits across all its health insurance plans for its customers. The new Vhi Swiftcare package will be available on all hospital plans and all customers will be able to access the improved benefits by 1st September 2017. (See details in notes to editors)

Vhi Swiftware Clinics are now fully owned by Vhi Group following the clearance by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) of the acquisition of the 50% of the Vhi Swiftcare Clinics previously owned by Centric Health in May 2017.

Speaking today, Declan Moran, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Vhi said “The Vhi SwiftCare Clinics introduced to the Irish marketplace 12 years ago have become increasingly popular, to the point where Vhi customers have sometimes struggled to access them. The number of people availing of the service has grown year on year and this has caused us to evaluate how best to deliver services through these popular facilities. In order to ensure that Vhi customers can continue to have speed of access to the Vhi Clinics, Vhi has taken the decision to operate the Vhi Swiftcare Clinics for Vhi customers only from 1st September 2017.”

He continued “In addition we have taken the decision to broaden cover so that all of our Private Health Insurance customers have some cover when they visit a Vhi Swiftcare Clinic.

Currently there are over 100,000 Vhi customers who don’t have any cover for Vhi Swiftcare Clinics on their products and this does not make sense for the business. We also believe there is an opportunity to further develop the Vhi Swiftcare Clinics by adding even more services to meet the growing healthcare needs of our customers. This is a core element of Vhi’s strategic vision which commits the company to offering customers a unique healthcare proposition that meets their needs for convenient and affordable access to the best quality care.”

Vhi SwiftCare Clinics are Ireland’s first walk-in, urgent care clinics, providing rapid treatment, treatment and advice for patients with minor injuries and illnesses. The Clinics in Dundrum, Swords and Cork are open 365 days a year from 8am to 10pm. The Vhi SwiftCare Clinics can be contacted on 1890 866 966 and further information on the Clinics is available on www.vhi.ie/swiftcare.

Vhi will run a public information campaign to support the planned change in access to services.

ENDS

Issued by:

Brighid Smyth

Vhi Group Service DAC

Phone: 01-6147348 / 086-8270905

Email: brighid.smyth@vhi.ie

 

Notes to Editor

What are the benefits?

There are a few elements to the new Vhi Swiftcare Benefits:

• Initial consultation: Vhi Swiftcare charge is €125 – the customer co-pay is €50 (or just €25 on higher plans)

• NEW. Follow-up treatment package after this consultation for investigations (x-rays, bloods) and treatments (casts /splints/ suturing/medical aids). Member pays just 50% of costs with a maximum co-payment of €150 (just €100 on mid-range and higher cover plans)

• NEW Unlimited visits – no restriction on number of times eligible to use benefits.

What benefits are on what plans?

There are 3 Vhi Swiftcare benefit bundles available.

  • €50 consultation + €150 follow-up treatment max (cheaper plans e.g. One Plan Starter) 
  • €50 consultation + €100 follow-up treatment max (mid-range plans e.g. One Plan Family)
  • €25 consultation + €100 follow-up treatment max (higher-end plans e.g. HealthPlus Choice)

Vhi_Press

15-Jun-2017