Guide to renewing your membership

How can I pay for my cover?

You can pay by salary deduction, direct debit (annual or monthly in advance), using online banking (further details below) or pay us directly by credit or debit card (annual in advance only). You will not be charged an additional surcharge on our direct debit facility.

Can I change how I pay?

Yes. You can change both the frequency of payment and the way you pay.

Salary deduction

If your employer operates a Vhi group scheme with a salary deduction facility you can pay your premium this way. You can phone us on (056) 444 4444 and we will set you up. If you currently pay by salary deduction, you can view your "Payment Details" on "MyVhi".

Direct Debit

With your IBAN and BIC to hand, you can log in to MyVhi and include a new direct debit. In MyVhi, select 'View' on the policy you wish to update. Locate and open the Payment Information section. Select 'Switch to Direct Debit' and follow the on-screen instructions to make your change.

If you already pay by direct debit and wish to change this to a new bank account , you can also update your payment details through MyVhi.

Alternatively, you can call us on 056 444 4444 and apply a direct debit over the phone

Online banking

If you use internet banking, you can pay your annual premium in full, by online transfer.

Our bank details are:
BIC  AIBKIE2DXXX                IBAN IE77AIBK93208699364102

Simply provide your Customer Account Number (you will find this on your invoice) or your policy number as your payment reference when processing the transfer.
Please remember we cannot accept part payment or instalment payment using online transfer. When using this method premiums must be paid in full.

Bank - branch

Pay by cheque or bank transfer (annual in advance) at any bank branch using the bank giro that accompanies your invoice.

By post

Post your cheque or bank draft (quoting your Vhi policy number on the back of it) to the following address:

Vhi Healthcare, IDA Business Park, Purcellsinch, Dublin Road, Kilkenny.

By phone:

You can pay your premium using a credit or debit card by phoning 056 444 4444.

Benefit changes

How will I know if plan benefits have changed since my last renewal?

Any changes to your plan at renewal are highlighted using the '!' symbol in the Table of Benefits. You can refer to your previous year Table of Benefits for comparison purposes.

Plan changes

Can I have different plans for each member of my family?

Yes, each member of the policy can have a different plan to suit your needs.

If you increase your cover, will a waiting period apply for the higher level of cover?

You will still be covered for the lower level of cover previously held. For more information you can refer to the, 'Renewing the policy' section, in the "Rules - Terms and Conditions" of your plan.

Can I change/cancel my plan mid-year?

You can change/cancel your plan at renewal. A cooling-off period of 14 days applies from your renewal date. All policies are 12 month contracts and losses and expenses may apply if you breach your contract mid-year. No losses/expenses apply if you are going overseas for more than six months, or if you cancel your Vhi Hospital Plan and you buy Vhi International.

I've recently had a new baby - can I add them to my policy?

You can include a dependant on your policy at any time. If you include a new baby on your policy within 13 weeks of their date of birth, your new baby will be covered free of charge from date of birth until the next renewal date after his/her birth. For more information, please refer to Section 2 – Joining Vhi Healthcare, in the "Rules - Terms and Conditions" of your plan.

Can I add a dependant mid-year?

Yes, you can add a dependant at any stage of the 12 month contract.

Can I remove a dependant from my policy?

You can remove a dependant at renewal date only, unless they are transferring to a Vhi International policy.

How do Lifetime Community Rating rules affect you?

If you are aged 35 or over and do not have health insurance before 1st May 2015, your premium may cost more due to the introduction of Lifetime Community Rating. Read more information on Lifetime Community Rating here.

Policy administration

We communicate and take instruction from the policyholder in relation to the administration of the policy (eg plan, payment/refund, renewal, cancellation). If the policyholder would like to authorise another individual to deal with the administration of the policy, as detailed above, on their behalf please contact us for details.

We communicate directly with the policyholder for children (aged under 18) and we can only discuss personal data, claims information and health related information for them with the policyholder

I am a dependant on a policy, how can I cancel my cover?

The policyholder must remove you from cover. Once you are removed from cover, Vhi Healthcare will then write out to you to discuss your cover options.

I'm planning to work overseas in the near future. What happens to my Vhi Healthcare cover?

You can renew now and switch to Vhi International when you are starting your trip. You will have access to comprehensive cover abroad and there will be no additional waiting periods. And when you come home, you can re-join our domestic plans with no break in cover.

Please note: This information is issued as a guide only and does not form part of a contract.

Contact us

If you would like to talk to us about your renewal, you can call us on 056 444 4444. You can also get in touch online using our contact form.

Yes. For people aged 21 and over, including young adults, all health insurance policies and renewals have a maximum of 20% tax relief applied to gross premiums up to €1,000. This means the maximum tax relief will be €200.

For people under the age of 21, including children, the gross premium is capped at €500. This means the maximum tax relief will be €100.

Please check your tax credit certificate online at revenue.ie or get in touch with your local revenue office should you have any further questions.

What is the Consumer Insurance Contracts Act 2019 (CICA)?

The intention of the Act is to provide increased protection to consumers entering into insurance contracts. It covers areas such as renewal and cancellation of insurance contracts, proportionate remedies for misrepresentation and claims handling etc.
Vhi are required to comply with the sections of the act that apply to any of the products that are sold by us.

What does it mean for me?

All renewal documentation will display a five year history of 'annualised premium'.
An annualised premium history table will be included in all non-life insurance products sold by Vhi Healthcare - both postal and online renewal packs. A five year history of paid claims needs to be displayed on all Dental, International & Travel renewals.
A new Terms and Conditions Changes document highlighting changes to the consumers T&Cs in plain English.

Do I need to take any action?

No action is required by you. In accordance with the Consumer Insurance Contracts Act 2019, we will continue to provide you with this information each year prior to the renewal of a contract of insurance.

Why are you including a history of paid claims for Dental, International and MultiTrip and not providing it to me for my Health Insurance policy?

Health insurance contracts are exempt under the act for the provision of claims information. However, we are required to display claims history for Dental, MultiTrip and International Insurance Contracts.