The public health service in Ireland is very good in providing support to those suffering from illness, in an emergency, or for specialist treatments that require expensive medication. However, as a public service there are limitations to the service that mean that it may not always be the best option which therefore makes having health insurance quite beneficial in certain circumstances.
Benefits of Having Health Insurance
Health insurance can be utilised to cover costs for time spent in private healthcare and to compensate private health professionals who provide your treatment in their practise. Other benefits of having health insurance include the following:
Priority/Faster Access to Healthcare
Through the use of a private hospital or healthcare facility, those covered by health insurance can receive faster access to treatment, especially for non-emergency medical situations. As opposed to enduring long waiting periods or queues at a public hospital, health policyholders can choose to go private and receive treatment at their convenience and from a provider of their choice.
Specialist Care
Certain hospitals are well known as specialists in their field and sufferers of specific ailments such as cardiac related illness and others may wish to be treated for their condition at a specific healthcare location. Healthcare insurance ensures that you have enough financial cover for the costs of your chosen private healthcare provider should you chose to use them.
Securing Your Finances
As noted above, private healthcare and unexpected health issues can end up becoming very costly. Having health insurance is also an ideal way to protect your future financial stability as it negates the need for you to dip into your savings should the need unexpectedly arise.
Peace of Mind
Although it is fourth on this list, having peace of mind regarding health matters is by no means less important than financial or priority reasons, especially for those with young dependants or elderly family members. Knowing that you have health insurance cover means you can rest easy in the knowledge that any unplanned financial burdens you may come across due to healthcare will be covered.
Improved Health
With the benefit of cover from health insurance, policyholders can in theory gain from receiving specialist care and treatment. In addition, priority access also means that any issues are treated faster, thereby preventing further complications and prolonging your health. Health insurance coverage also makes it easier to have regular health check-ups that may otherwise be avoided or ignored due to extra costs. Regular health checks increase the likelihood of the early detection of any issues that may otherwise go undetected making them extremely beneficial to your overall health.
When you consider that the lack of health insurance can mean not only the loss of a significant amount of finances, but also life, then its importance becomes abundantly clear. From receiving priority or specialist care to safeguarding your personal finances, considering taking out health insurance is important even with the benefit of a great public heath system such as the one that’s available in Ireland.