Hibernian Aviva Health calls for real commitment to value from VHI not window dressing

17th July 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

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 –

For further information contact:
Alan Tyrrell
Group Media Relations Manager
Hibernian Aviva
Tel. 01 8985452
Mob. 086 850 8673

Notes to editors:

About Hibernian Aviva Health

Hibernian Aviva Health is a division of Hibernian Aviva Group, 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.

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