ROI - Healthcare - please consider
Jan 23rd 2016, 9:48 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 61
ROI - Healthcare - please consider
Please do not make the same mistake as we did. We thought we would be entitled to healthcare retiring here but we are not. We are only 50 euros over the qualifying assessment for a medical card so we have to pay 50 euros for each doctor visit and prescriptions are expensive.
Also, my husband has been directed to the hospitals for two appointments:
1) for his knee, he may need a new one, the appointment date is not set yet but they said some time in 2017.
2) the doctor wants him to go for an exploratory procedure as he has a problem with his voice box and and problems clearing his throat. Its worrying as he is a heavy smoker but they said the appointment would be in 16-18 months, they can't confirm yet, he may be dead by then.
We can't afford private healthcare and are worried sick. We bought a house here so can't afford to sell and move anywhere else.
Also, my husband has been directed to the hospitals for two appointments:
1) for his knee, he may need a new one, the appointment date is not set yet but they said some time in 2017.
2) the doctor wants him to go for an exploratory procedure as he has a problem with his voice box and and problems clearing his throat. Its worrying as he is a heavy smoker but they said the appointment would be in 16-18 months, they can't confirm yet, he may be dead by then.
We can't afford private healthcare and are worried sick. We bought a house here so can't afford to sell and move anywhere else.
Jan 23rd 2016, 10:02 am
#2
Concierge
Joined: May 2006
Location: ex ex-pat, in Taunton
Posts: 27,214
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
Please do not make the same mistake as we did. We thought we would be entitled to healthcare retiring here but we are not. We are only 50 euros over the qualifying assessment for a medical card so we have to pay 50 euros for each doctor visit and prescriptions are expensive.
Also, my husband has been directed to the hospitals for two appointments:
1) for his knee, he may need a new one, the appointment date is not set yet but they said some time in 2017.
2) the doctor wants him to go for an exploratory procedure as he has a problem with his voice box and and problems clearing his throat. Its worrying as he is a heavy smoker but they said the appointment would be in 16-18 months, they can't confirm yet, he may be dead by then.
We can't afford private healthcare and are worried sick. We bought a house here so can't afford to sell and move anywhere else.
Also, my husband has been directed to the hospitals for two appointments:
1) for his knee, he may need a new one, the appointment date is not set yet but they said some time in 2017.
2) the doctor wants him to go for an exploratory procedure as he has a problem with his voice box and and problems clearing his throat. Its worrying as he is a heavy smoker but they said the appointment would be in 16-18 months, they can't confirm yet, he may be dead by then.
We can't afford private healthcare and are worried sick. We bought a house here so can't afford to sell and move anywhere else.
Jan 24th 2016, 8:41 am
#3
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 61
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
My husband is English but as he has a small Irish state pension and this preludes him from receiving a medical card until he is 70 (he is now 68) all other UK retirees without an Irish Pension will receive a medical card BUT that does not change the fact that the waiting lists are insane.
Jan 24th 2016, 12:58 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: bute
Posts: 9,740
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
RoI never had an equivalent of Nye Bevan.
Jan 24th 2016, 2:08 pm
#5
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Joined: Jul 2006
Location: london/gandia
Posts: 1,163
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
I strongly suggest you approach your local town Councillor and TD, plus the director of the county hospital and put a strong case forward that your husband be seen ASAP re his voice box / swallowing problems. Put your concerns in writing and copy in who ever you think may have some clout and then persist in the matter with phone calls. Approach the local newspaper/radio station etc. There may be other voluntary groups who could lend assistance.
Sometimes there is a need to be pushy I guess this may be one of those times.
Sometimes there is a need to be pushy I guess this may be one of those times.
Jan 25th 2016, 9:59 am
#6
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 61
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
I strongly suggest you approach your local town Councillor and TD, plus the director of the county hospital and put a strong case forward that your husband be seen ASAP re his voice box / swallowing problems. Put your concerns in writing and copy in who ever you think may have some clout and then persist in the matter with phone calls. Approach the local newspaper/radio station etc. There may be other voluntary groups who could lend assistance.
Sometimes there is a need to be pushy I guess this may be one of those times.
Sometimes there is a need to be pushy I guess this may be one of those times.
Mar 4th 2016, 9:41 am
#7
Dichotomus tinker
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,678
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
Zelda, curious if you & yours got the OP all sorted out?
Mar 4th 2016, 12:24 pm
#8
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 61
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
No, sadly.
On the knee issue we got on to our local T.D. and he did write to the hospital on our behalf but no way they would budge on the date, still waiting on a date it will be sometime towards the end of this year they say, basically on this one over a year's wait to see a consultant.
On his voice box and throat, we have asked to be referred to another hospital and they say the wait is 6-8 months or more, we have now gone back to the doctor to literally beg her to write another letter so he can be seen sooner.
As I said in another post you have no idea of the worry and stress this has caused us.
On the knee issue we got on to our local T.D. and he did write to the hospital on our behalf but no way they would budge on the date, still waiting on a date it will be sometime towards the end of this year they say, basically on this one over a year's wait to see a consultant.
On his voice box and throat, we have asked to be referred to another hospital and they say the wait is 6-8 months or more, we have now gone back to the doctor to literally beg her to write another letter so he can be seen sooner.
As I said in another post you have no idea of the worry and stress this has caused us.
Mar 4th 2016, 1:05 pm
#9
Dichotomus tinker
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,678
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
No, sadly.
On the knee issue we got on to our local T.D. and he did write to the hospital on our behalf but no way they would budge on the date, still waiting on a date it will be sometime towards the end of this year they say, basically on this one over a year's wait to see a consultant.
On his voice box and throat, we have asked to be referred to another hospital and they say the wait is 6-8 months or more, we have now gone back to the doctor to literally beg her to write another letter so he can be seen sooner.
As I said in another post you have no idea of the worry and stress this has caused us.
On the knee issue we got on to our local T.D. and he did write to the hospital on our behalf but no way they would budge on the date, still waiting on a date it will be sometime towards the end of this year they say, basically on this one over a year's wait to see a consultant.
On his voice box and throat, we have asked to be referred to another hospital and they say the wait is 6-8 months or more, we have now gone back to the doctor to literally beg her to write another letter so he can be seen sooner.
As I said in another post you have no idea of the worry and stress this has caused us.
I can relate, even here 3000 miles away- makes me pissed & sad reading threads like this one.
Let me share with you our experience here in this wonderful so called one of the best medical care places of Canada
My wife the senior has medications for several issues, her main one is nuropathic pain (similar to fybromyalgia) . Because of the prescription the government wont cover this, so it has to be paid for at £200 every 100 days. Private medical insurance wont cover it because its an existing condition.
Seniors here in Ontario have to pay the first £85 each year for the first lot of prescriptions before they get them for free (only if they are on the approved list), plus, always with each fill they also have to pay the fill fee, which is up/down average 3 pound per fill
Her life time sleep issues (they don't know whatit is & cannot fix it), she has a top sleep aid 'imovane', has been on it for 10 years, works for her - its not covered & she pays for that also, minor cost of £4.50 every 30 days, but its not free
Ambulance service, physio, eye glasses, hearing aids etc for seniors is not free
She has deformed feet as a result of bunions, doesn't sound all that bad, but the pain & walking screws her up. She drives, thank goodness.
The past 45 days event - a GP doctors visit (we had to wait a week to see him), xrays & a referral to a consultant within 30 days [great]. Consultant (who doesn't do surgery) referred her to a specialist surgeon. Wait time 4 months, his back up for surgery is 6 months beyond that.
We asked 'what if we pay the lot' can it be done sooner? Response was a no. They suggested we go to the United States where it could get done within a month at a cost all in including hospital for £25,000
The moto here is - doesn't matter where you live, UK, Ireland, Canada wherever its all the same issues when one needs quality & timely medical attention at the least possible cost & convenience.
And dont get me started on utilities (extreme cold months, then extreme humid & hot summers)or council/property taxes, that alone would make anyone sick. Our council tax on a moderate 3 bedroom house is £2500 pounds
BTW, the seniors old age pension in Canada is a flat monthly amount of £285/mth. Our last increase in January was 5p/mth
There is contributory superannuation run by the government which comes straight out of a persons pay, so nothing is free
Why do we still live here now that we're seniors- well, thats what I keep asking myself.
Just a vent & moan moment
Last edited by not2old; Mar 4th 2016 at 1:08 pm.
Mar 4th 2016, 1:13 pm
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,148
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
on the above, that is really tough, and I mean tough. Trust you can get those dates brought forward & get it all sorted soon I can relate, even here 3000 miles away- makes me pissed & sad reading threads like this one. Let me share with you our experience here in this wonderful so called one of the best medical care places of Canada My wife the senior has medications for several issues, her main one is nuropathic pain (similar to fybromyalgia) . Because of the prescription the government wont cover this, so it has to be paid for at £200 every 100 days. Private medical insurance wont cover it because its an existing condition. Seniors here in Ontario have to pay the first £85 each year for the first lot of prescriptions before they get them for free (only if they are on the approved list), plus, always with each fill they also have to pay the fill fee, which is up/down average 3 pound per fill Her life time sleep issues (they don't know whatit is & cannot fix it), she has a top sleep aid 'imovane', has been on it for 10 years, works for her - its not covered & she pays for that also, minor cost of £4.50 every 30 days, but its not free Ambulance service, physio, eye glasses, hearing aids etc for seniors is not free She has deformed feet as a result of bunions, doesn't sound all that bad, but the pain & walking screws her up. She drives, thank goodness. The past 45 days event - a GP doctors visit (we had to wait a week to see him), xrays & a referral to a consultant within 30 days [great]. Consultant (who doesn't do surgery) referred her to a specialist surgeon. Wait time 4 months, his back up for surgery is 6 months beyond that. We asked 'what if we pay the lot' can it be done sooner? Response was a no. They suggested we go to the United States where it could get done within a month at a cost all in including hospital for 25,000 pounds. The moto here is - doesn't matter where you live, UK, Ireland, Canada wherever its all the same issues when one needs quality & timely medical attention at the least possible cost & convenience. And dont get me started on utilities (extreme cold months, then extreme humid & hot summers)or council/property taxes, that alone would make anyone sick. Our council tax on a moderate 3 bedroom house is 2500 pounds per year. Why do we still live here now that we're seniors- well, thats what I keep asking myself. Just a vent & moan moment
I can relate, even here 3000 miles away- makes me pissed & sad reading threads like this one. Let me share with you our experience here in this wonderful so called one of the best medical care places of Canada My wife the senior has medications for several issues, her main one is nuropathic pain (similar to fybromyalgia) . Because of the prescription the government wont cover this, so it has to be paid for at £200 every 100 days. Private medical insurance wont cover it because its an existing condition. Seniors here in Ontario have to pay the first £85 each year for the first lot of prescriptions before they get them for free (only if they are on the approved list), plus, always with each fill they also have to pay the fill fee, which is up/down average 3 pound per fill Her life time sleep issues (they don't know whatit is & cannot fix it), she has a top sleep aid 'imovane', has been on it for 10 years, works for her - its not covered & she pays for that also, minor cost of £4.50 every 30 days, but its not free Ambulance service, physio, eye glasses, hearing aids etc for seniors is not free She has deformed feet as a result of bunions, doesn't sound all that bad, but the pain & walking screws her up. She drives, thank goodness. The past 45 days event - a GP doctors visit (we had to wait a week to see him), xrays & a referral to a consultant within 30 days [great]. Consultant (who doesn't do surgery) referred her to a specialist surgeon. Wait time 4 months, his back up for surgery is 6 months beyond that. We asked 'what if we pay the lot' can it be done sooner? Response was a no. They suggested we go to the United States where it could get done within a month at a cost all in including hospital for 25,000 pounds. The moto here is - doesn't matter where you live, UK, Ireland, Canada wherever its all the same issues when one needs quality & timely medical attention at the least possible cost & convenience. And dont get me started on utilities (extreme cold months, then extreme humid & hot summers)or council/property taxes, that alone would make anyone sick. Our council tax on a moderate 3 bedroom house is 2500 pounds per year. Why do we still live here now that we're seniors- well, thats what I keep asking myself. Just a vent & moan moment I have no problem with Zelda, but she just came on here to post how bad everything is and as soon as you give options, you live in a dream world. It's fine to complain, but I don't see the point of complaining if you don't want help.
Mar 4th 2016, 1:14 pm
#11
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 61
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
on the above, that is really tough, and I mean tough. Trust you can get those dates brought forward & get it all sorted soon
I can relate, even here 3000 miles away- makes me pissed & sad reading threads like this one.
Let me share with you our experience here in this wonderful so called one of the best medical care places of Canada
My wife the senior has medications for several issues, her main one is nuropathic pain (similar to fybromyalgia) . Because of the prescription the government wont cover this, so it has to be paid for at £200 every 100 days. Private medical insurance wont cover it because its an existing condition.
Seniors here in Ontario have to pay the first £85 each year for the first lot of prescriptions before they get them for free (only if they are on the approved list), plus, always with each fill they also have to pay the fill fee, which is up/down average 3 pound per fill
Her life time sleep issues (they don't know whatit is & cannot fix it), she has a top sleep aid 'imovane', has been on it for 10 years, works for her - its not covered & she pays for that also, minor cost of £4.50 every 30 days, but its not free
Ambulance service, physio, eye glasses, hearing aids etc for seniors is not free
She has deformed feet as a result of bunions, doesn't sound all that bad, but the pain & walking screws her up. She drives, thank goodness.
The past 45 days event - a GP doctors visit (we had to wait a week to see him), xrays & a referral to a consultant within 30 days [great]. Consultant (who doesn't do surgery) referred her to a specialist surgeon. Wait time 4 months, his back up for surgery is 6 months beyond that.
We asked 'what if we pay the lot' can it be done sooner? Response was a no. They suggested we go to the United States where it could get done within a month at a cost all in including hospital for £25,000
The moto here is - doesn't matter where you live, UK, Ireland, Canada wherever its all the same issues when one needs quality & timely medical attention at the least possible cost & convenience.
And dont get me started on utilities (extreme cold months, then extreme humid & hot summers)or council/property taxes, that alone would make anyone sick. Our council tax on a moderate 3 bedroom house is £2500 pounds
BTW, the seniors old age pension in Canada is a flat monthly amount of £285/mth. Our last increase in January was 5p/mth
There is contributory superannuation run by the government which comes straight out of a persons pay, so nothing is free
Why do we still live here now that we're seniors- well, thats what I keep asking myself.
Just a vent & moan moment
I can relate, even here 3000 miles away- makes me pissed & sad reading threads like this one.
Let me share with you our experience here in this wonderful so called one of the best medical care places of Canada
My wife the senior has medications for several issues, her main one is nuropathic pain (similar to fybromyalgia) . Because of the prescription the government wont cover this, so it has to be paid for at £200 every 100 days. Private medical insurance wont cover it because its an existing condition.
Seniors here in Ontario have to pay the first £85 each year for the first lot of prescriptions before they get them for free (only if they are on the approved list), plus, always with each fill they also have to pay the fill fee, which is up/down average 3 pound per fill
Her life time sleep issues (they don't know whatit is & cannot fix it), she has a top sleep aid 'imovane', has been on it for 10 years, works for her - its not covered & she pays for that also, minor cost of £4.50 every 30 days, but its not free
Ambulance service, physio, eye glasses, hearing aids etc for seniors is not free
She has deformed feet as a result of bunions, doesn't sound all that bad, but the pain & walking screws her up. She drives, thank goodness.
The past 45 days event - a GP doctors visit (we had to wait a week to see him), xrays & a referral to a consultant within 30 days [great]. Consultant (who doesn't do surgery) referred her to a specialist surgeon. Wait time 4 months, his back up for surgery is 6 months beyond that.
We asked 'what if we pay the lot' can it be done sooner? Response was a no. They suggested we go to the United States where it could get done within a month at a cost all in including hospital for £25,000
The moto here is - doesn't matter where you live, UK, Ireland, Canada wherever its all the same issues when one needs quality & timely medical attention at the least possible cost & convenience.
And dont get me started on utilities (extreme cold months, then extreme humid & hot summers)or council/property taxes, that alone would make anyone sick. Our council tax on a moderate 3 bedroom house is £2500 pounds
BTW, the seniors old age pension in Canada is a flat monthly amount of £285/mth. Our last increase in January was 5p/mth
There is contributory superannuation run by the government which comes straight out of a persons pay, so nothing is free
Why do we still live here now that we're seniors- well, thats what I keep asking myself.
Just a vent & moan moment
I must say I don't envy you those Winters.
Mar 4th 2016, 1:20 pm
#12
Dichotomus tinker
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,678
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
Gosh no its not a vent and moan its just how it is and I am sorry to hear it. I have a very close friend who lives in Winnipeg and she is very happy with the healthcare there but she is still working so not in a similiar position to yourself.
I must say I don't envy you those Winters.
I must say I don't envy you those Winters.
The medical care here is good, not as good as it was 40 years ago, in fact nothing is as good as it was 'way back when in the old days). Wait times are longer, user fees are up, up, up
Apart from that, living in Canada is good (it could be better) the cost of things, the climate- there's nothing to moan about, other than one foot in the grave
Mar 4th 2016, 8:52 pm
#13
Dichotomus tinker
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,678
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
appropriate to this thread, the following links provided by BE members moses2013 & bc2015 from another thread....thanks
Lifetime Community Rating | HIA
National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF)
from citizensinformation.ie
Private health insurance
Lifetime Community Rating | HIA
National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF)
from citizensinformation.ie
Private health insurance
Mar 4th 2016, 10:14 pm
#14
Dichotomus tinker
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,678
Re: ROI - Healthcare - please consider
private health insurance related, in particular if you move to Ireland after May 2015 & take out private health insurance within 9 months of residence, the loading (LCR) penalty (based on age) to increase insurance premiums doesn't apply to new policy holders.
Cost effective private health insurance even for seniors moving to Ireland
In the following, provided by bc2015 from the other thread (thanks)
HIA have a comparison tool (including the base pricing)
Health Insurance Comparison | HIA: Health Insurance Authority[/QUOTE]
My comment : I used the Aviva FAQ insurance quote tool that has this information
Lifetime Community Rating | LCR Calculator - FAQ | Aviva Health
Cost effective private health insurance even for seniors moving to Ireland
In the following, provided by bc2015 from the other thread (thanks)
HIA have a comparison tool (including the base pricing)
Health Insurance Comparison | HIA: Health Insurance Authority[/QUOTE]
My comment : I used the Aviva FAQ insurance quote tool that has this information
Lifetime Community Rating | LCR Calculator - FAQ | Aviva Health
