My blog on the 4th November last gave an insight to the Top Ten Health Insurance Tips when considering health insurance for the first time or indeed renewing current plans. Sound advice!

 However, the cost of health insurance is becoming a major deterrent for lots of families in these trying economic times. 
Especially since the VHI has had two significant rate increases this year which has hiked the price of a number of their core plans by 50%; with Quinn Healthcare introducing a 12% price increase from January 1 next, their third price hike in recent times.

 These price hikes are inevitable for the likes of VHI and Quinn Healthcare for various fundemental reasons.
Take the VHI, their current healthcare model is in breach of EU obligations due to its major shortfall in it's solvency a key factor required to satisfy the EU! What are the implications of this solvency shortfall? More price hikes for its customers I'm afraid........
Quinn Healthcare on the otherhand does not form part of the recent Liberty Mutual/Anglo Irish Bank purchase deal and is therefore still up for sale......

Aviva Health introduced a 14% price hike in March and will more than likely move again but not until perhaps February or March next according to health insurance experts.

With all this being said though the most sinister of developments from the VHI in their quest to SAVE money was to cut the funding of important scans cancer patients need for their treatment. PET/CT Scans, the most accurate imaging tests, key tests used to diagnose, stage and help treat cancer patients, now come at a premium! This development was reported in two separate articles in the Sunday Business Post on 20 November by Susan Mitchell.

 Therefore, if HEALTH IS YOUR WEALTH, is it not important to ensure that you and your family are well covered and have the right plan with the right benefits to ensure
- access to more hospitals and scan centres
- the best cover for scans on the market
- access to HIGH TECH HOSPITALS, such as the Mater Private, for listed cardiac procedures and some of the latest advances in cancer care
- access to a variety of exclusive maternity benefits

If this holds true for you and your family then correct advice is paramount! So, if you don't know health insurance at least KNOW someone who does...... 

 Check out our Health Insurance page for more info or call Alasdair on 01 810 1912 or email info@agsfinancial.ie