(Dublin, 17 th July 2009 2009): Hibernian Aviva Health has called for a real commitment to deliver value for money from the VHI rather than the window dressing outlined in today’s VHI statement. Even after the new VHI prices in September, announced by the VHI today, a family on VHI Plan B Options will still be €415 worse off when compared to Hibernian Aviva Health’s comparable plan ‘Level 2 Hospital’.
Speaking today, Jim Dowdall, Managing Director, Hibernian Aviva Health said: “Hibernian Aviva Health is committed to delivering the best value for money for consumers. The reality is that the announcement today by the VHI is little more than window dressing. A reduction of just €20 per annum for a child under 18 is meaningless when set in the context of the already high cost of VHI’s plans and the 23% increase in VHI premiums applied at the start of this year.”
Dowdall continued, “40,000 customers have left the VHI in the first three months of this year to seek better value. Over 30,000 of VHI’s customers have found that better value with Hibernian Aviva Health so far this year. VHI’s plans cost more and cover less hospitals and treatment centres than Hibernian Aviva Health and the reductions announced today do very little to alleviate the burden of the 23% price increase already imposed this year.”
Savings for family switching to Hibernian Aviva Health
| 2 adults 2 children | 2 adults, 2 children, one student | |
| Hibernian Aviva Health Level 2 Hospital | € 1,850 | € 2,065 |
| Vhi Plan B Options | € 2,160 | € 2,480 |
| SAVINGS | € 310 | € 415 |
The VHI’s claim that it is also providing more benefits is still further window dressing. Hibernian Aviva Health continues to provide the widest range of maternity benefits available and was the first to cover cervical cancer vaccination – something which the VHI still does not cover. Hibernian Aviva Health also covers almost twice the amount of approved treatment centres for scans (MRI PET CT & CT)
All Hibernian Aviva Health plans include:
- Access to 151 treatment centres and hospitals
- Access to the widest range of approved treatment centres for out-patient PET CT, MRI and CT scans. (46 Hibernian Aviva Health, 24 VHI, 20 Quinn)
- Access to high-tech hospitals (for cardiac care)
- Cover for cervical cancer vaccination
Hibernian Aviva Health, which already insures more than 200,000 members across Ireland, predicts that switching in health insurance will become the norm this year as consumers realise that moving health insurer is easier than switching their electricity or phone supplier. With just one simple phone call you can be covered immediately.
In the past year Hibernian Aviva Health has added over 80,000 new members and is the fastest growing health insurer in Europe. The company continues to challenge the status quo in the health insurance market, leading the way in innovation and anticipation of consumer needs.
- Ends –
Notes to editors:
*€455 saving is based on the price differential between Hibernian Aviva Health Level 2 Hospital and Vhi Plan B Option for a family of two adults, two children and one student at today’s prices. €415 saving is based on the price differential between Hibernian Aviva Health Level 2 Hospital and Vhi Plan B Option for a family of two adults, two children and one student at VHI’s new prices from September.
Further detail below
Sample Case Studies:
Family Case Study – Level 2 Hospital
John and Karen Brady are in their forties and have three children Amy, Jane and Ronan aged 11, 13 and 17. They are all covered under a family health insurance plan with Vhi – Plan B Option which they have held for 20 years. They have used their health insurance for the maternity benefits and Jane had her tonsils removed a couple of years ago.
If John and Karen were to switch to Hibernian Aviva Health Level 2 Hospital they would immediately save €415 by switching, get access to more hospitals and treatment centres, access to the widest range of approved treatment centres for out patient scans as well as a contribution to the cervical cancer vaccination. As Ronan is in college he will be charged at the child rate up until the age of 23. On their current plan he is being charged a higher student rate for which he will be eligible for up until the age of 21 when he will have to pay full adult prices.
Switching could be done with one simple phone call to Hibernian Aviva Health and the family can be covered immediately.
About Hibernian Aviva Health
Hibernian Aviva Health is a division of Hibernian Aviva, Hibernian Aviva Group is Ireland’s leading insurance company with 1.2 million customers across the general insurance, life and pensions and health insurance sectors. The company is ranked first for general insurance and top three for life and pensions and health insurance.
Hibernian Aviva Group is a subsidiary of Aviva plc. Aviva is one of the world’s largest savings, general insurance and investment groups with the purpose of looking out for customers, employees and stakeholders with prosperity and peace of mind.