Which Health Insurance to Switch to?

The private health insurance landscape in Ireland is mental. There are over 325 plans available. It can be very tough and downright confusing to figure out which one best meets your objectives. Paddy visited me recently, expressing his dismay at the increase in his 2018 health insurance premium of €150 by his current health insurer, Irish Life. He's keen to switch to another plan that provides coverage in semi-private room in a private hospital. He had two plans in mind - Laya Healthcare Precision 600 and Precision 450, the former being his preference.

Based on horary astrology (see chart below), he will be moving from a square to Pluto to a conjunction with Uranus. This essentially means that he's jumping from one pond of shite to another one of a different nature. Precision 600 will involve an element of unpredictability, something that you wouldn't necessarily want with health insurance which is designed to mitigate risks.

I Ching is asked "Should Paddy go with Laya Precision 600 for 2018?" I Ching returned with hexagram 21, moving line 6th and transformed into hexagram 51. Hexgram 21's name is eradicating, biting through which describes Paddy's situation. He's intending to eradicate his current plan with Irish Life and switch to something else. The advice is "Wearing a cangue (something worn about the neck by criminals in ancient China). Ears disappear. Misfortune." The advice suggests that Paddy is too stubborn and self-willed and thereby refuses to listen to honest advice. Hmmm, perhaps it is an idea for Paddy to talk to an insurance broker as his decision on Precision 600 is based on his own research on the Health Insurance Authority website. The likely outcome from following the advice is hexagram 51, Thunder, Taking Action which strangely resembles the message in horary astrology (Uranus). The advice doesn't bore well, along with Uranus which is unpredictable and tension, frustration producing. I would prefer that Paddy avoid Precision 600 if possible.

Let's look at Laya's Precision 450. I Ching returned with hexagram 44, moving lines 1st, 2nd and 6th, transforming into hexagram 49. Hex 44 is Encountering, Coming to Meet, Contact. It is described as "Encountering. The maiden is strong. Do not engage in marrying such a woman." Not a good message really if you think about it. The question is whether to switch to Precision 450 and I Ching said not to marry i.e. don't form a relationship with Precision 450. The advice in the changing lines are dreary:

• 1st: ... There is somewhere to go. Misfortune appears.
• 2nd: ... No fault. Not favourable for the guests.
• 6th: ... Humiliation. 

The wording above isn't encouraging, isn't it?

Paddy went back to the drawing board and looked at other plans and came across Laya Advantage 500 Explore. I Ching returned with Hexagram 53, Developing Gradually, Development with no changing lines. It is described as "The maiden is given in marriage. Good fortune." Finally, a more positive outcome. This is the health plan that Paddy eventually went with.

Thoughts

Interestingly, the switch from Irish Life's Net More 500 to Laya Advantage 500 Explore yielded the following benefits:

• Reduction in premium of €168
• The removal of €2,000 co-payment on listed orthopaedic procedures
• Covered for certain cardiac procedures in Blackrock Clinic, Mater Private and Beacon Hospital
• Covered for certain orthopaedic procedures in Blackrock Clinic and Mater Private
• Coverage of procedures done in the EU, similar to Irish Life if an International Health and Travel Personalised Package is added 
• Increase in put-patient consultant fees claimable if there's more than one consultation

The disadvantages include:

• Increase in €100 excess for day cases in private hospital although Laya covers significantly more private hospitals than Irish Life
• Individual excess for outpatient benefits increased by €25

The main differences between the two plans that are important to Paddy are listed above. There are other fine details which are not covered above.