Vhi to return an average of 50% of premium to customers for an initial 3-month period
A series of enhanced telehealth benefits have been added to all policies
Supports put in place for Customers facing Financial Hardship
16th April 2020 - Vhi, Ireland’s largest health insurer today outlined a detailed response to the range of issues and challenges facing customers as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. The purpose of this response is to reassure customers that Vhi will stand by them as COVID-19 continues to impact the country. While Vhi will continue to meet the healthcare needs of its customers with a wide range of supports to its customers during this period, some private hospital care has been temporarily impacted and this will be acknowledged.
Vhi has responded to the COVID-19 crisis as follows:-
Premium to be waived by an average of 50% over the next 3 months
Vhi had already signalled its support for the Government’s effort to mobilise a single national response to fight COVID-19 and acknowledged that the historic deal between the Private Hospital’s Association (PHA) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) was the right decision at the right time. Vhi also acknowledged that the decision would limit access to the private hospital network for Vhi Customers. This in effect changes the nature of the services that can be provided to customers right now and as a result claims are likely to fall. In recognition of this all Vhi private health insurance customers will see premium waived by an average of 50% over the next 3 months according to their plans. The waiver period will be for an initial 3 months (mid May 2020 to mid August 2020) and if there is an extension or curtailment to the partnership agreement between the PHA and the HSE, this waiver will be adjusted accordingly.
As many Dental practices remain closed for non-emergency business due to COVID-19, Vhi will also be waiving 30% of the premium for customers with Vhi Dental Insurance for the same three month period.
Declan Moran, Acting Chief Executive said “Vhi has an important role to play in these uncertain times and our promise to our customers is that we will be there for them during these difficult days. We are fully supportive of the government’s efforts to have a single united response to fight this crisis and Vhi is committed to playing its part.”
He continued “We have put in place a mechanism that addresses the changed manner in which some services can be delivered. We are doing this in as transparent and fair a manner as possible across our different customer groups. As a direct response to the partnership agreement outlined by Government between the PHA and the HSE, Vhi is waiving a percentage of premiums for the duration of the agreement and making a further promise that there will be additional return of value to customers this year if claims levels are lower than our current projections.”
Continuing to Meet Healthcare Needs of Customers
Vhi customers will continue to have healthcare needs above and beyond COVID-19, and Vhi will continue to support those needs and will continue to pay claims for any treatments that fall outside the private hospital agreement. This will include the provision of cover for private care in public hospitals, psychiatric inpatient and day care treatment, maternity care and treatment for addiction.
For those hospitals who are included in the agreement Vhi will cover the public hospital charge i.e. €80 a day up to a maximum of 10 days.
In addition, Vhi is extending day-to-day benefits to include telephone or online consultations with GP’s, Clinical Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Dieticians, and Practice Nurses, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech & Language Therapists and EAP consultations.
Vhi’s clinical services Vhi SwiftCare, Vhi Paediatric Clinic and Vhi Hospital@Home are open and continue to provide services to customers daily. They have moved to an appointment only basis enhancing patient and staff safety. Support benefit and services including Online GP, Nurseline 24/7 and Midwife Support Services remain in operation.
Hardship Measures
While the primary focus now is the health impact of the pandemic, clearly there is a massive economic impact also – both here in Ireland and across the globe. Vhi is introducing a series of measures for customers who find themselves in difficult financial circumstances as a direct result of COVID-19. We know from conversations with our customers that a priority for most of them is to retain their health insurance, therefore we have developed a range of appropriate supports to offer our customers based on their specific individual circumstances.
Declan Moran, Acting Chief Executive, Vhi concluded: “Our customers, like everyone in the country, are under stress and duress at this time, concerned about family and loved ones. Where this is compounded by financial worries we are seeking to put measures in place to help alleviate those concerns during these particularly tough days. We have established a specialist team of advisers to handle these cases.”
ENDS
Issued by:
Brighid Smyth / Niamh Walker
Vhi Group Services DAC
086 827 0905 / 086 608 6764
brighid.smyth@vhi.ie / niamh.walker@vhi.ie
EDITORS NOTES
Details on the Waiver of Premium
Vhi identified an average 50% waiver for the initial period of the agreement between the HSE and the PHA based on expected reduction in claims. Different plans have different levels of cover for private hospitals; therefore, the premium waiver is based on this.
The proposal can be summarised as follows:
- 60% waiver in the Plans with the most extensive private care (6 plans – 5% of membership)
- 55% in the remainder of HealthPlus (4 plans – 15% membership), and
- 45% for the rest (75 plans – 80% membership).
When will I get my money back?
Premium waivers will commence in Mid May and we will do this as quickly as possible. We will be writing to our customers next week with all the details in line with their policy.
Further information on Vhi’s supports during COVID-19 are available at www1.vhi.ie/covid-19
Vhi_Press
16-Apr-2020