Downton Gabby

Hello,

Can anyone here explain in some detail the differences between healthcare / insurance in the U.S. and in Ireland?

Thanks in advance!

SanDiegogirl

The following might help:

Health care

Depending on your situation in Ireland (permanent resident, visitor etc) there are different levels of health care you can obtain.

Irish folk that I know seem to have a combination of public (paid via taxes) and private services (paid via insurance premiums).

Moses2013

I just replied in relation to you question in other Thread. You might want to read the whole discussion:-).


The difference between the U.S & Ireland :
Probably that in Ireland you won't have to sell your house if you don't have health insurance. We have a two tier system and private health insurance is more an add on rather than a necessity. Being in the EU, we also have the option of cross border health care.


What is Cross Border Health Care - Ireland's Health Service


You might want to read this article:
Week Two: Pricewatch five-grand challenge. How to cut health insurance costs


Rules for public health:


Everyone, regardless of nationality, who is accepted by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as being ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to access in-patient and out-patient services in publicly funded hospitals, that is, HSE hospitals and voluntary hospitals. Certain visitors to Ireland are also entitled to public health services, for example, people covered under EU Regulations.




If you use accident and emergency services without being referred there by a GP, there is a charge of €100. There is no charge if you are referred by a GP (bring your referral letter with you)




If you are a public patient in a public hospital under the care of a consultant for treatment and you remain overnight, you are receiving overnight in-patient services.
If you are admitted to the hospital under the care of a consultant where you do not require the use of a bed overnight and your discharge from hospital is planned, you are receiving day in-patient services.

The statutory charge for overnight and day in-patient services is €75 per day up to a maximum of €750 in any 12 consecutive months. The charge does not apply to the following groups:

• Medical card holders
• People receiving treatment for prescribed infectious diseases
• People who are subject to "long stay" charges
• Children up to 6 weeks of age
• Children with the following diseases and disabilities: "mental handicap, mental illness, phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, haemophilia and cerebral palsy”
• Children referred for treatment from child health clinics and school board examinations
• People who are entitled to hospital services because of EU Regulations
• Women receiving maternity services