2.2m health insurance customers can get better healthcare for less with new plans from Hibernian Aviva Health

5th May 2009

Over 21% savings for individuals and 18% for families

(Dublin, 5th May 2009):  Ireland’s 2.2 million health insurance subscribers can now get faster access to medical treatments and more medical facilities while making significant savings following the launch today of a new suite of health insurance plans by Hibernian Aviva Health.   Offering savings of more than 21% (up to €190) for individuals and between 15% and 18% (up to €455) for families, the new Hibernian Aviva Health plans provide a real choice without compromising on benefits, access or value for Ireland’s health insurance consumers.

The plans, launched by the health insurance division of Ireland’s largest insurance company Hibernian Aviva, focus cover on core healthcare requirements such as quick access to day case procedures like colonoscopy and cover for cardiac and cancer care.  The plans have been built to ensure simplicity and transparency in terms of cover. They guarantee policy holder’s better benefits compared to any other insurer, access to more hospitals, scan and treatment centres and all at better value compared to that on offer from other health insurers. 

All Hibernian Aviva Health plans include:

• Access to 143 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.  With approximately two thirds of all private health insurance customers currently holding a Vhi Plan B or comparative product, switching to Hibernian Aviva Health’s ‘Level 2 – Hospital’ will provide better benefits with significant financial savings of €455 for a typical family* or €190 per person.

Speaking about the plans today, Jim Dowdall, Managing Director, Hibernian Aviva Health said:
“When it comes to health, people don’t want to and don’t have to compromise.  In fact, consumers can immediately save between 15% to 21% with Hibernian Aviva Health without compromising on their health insurance while also getting better benefits and access to more facilities.  Moving insurer is as easy as changing your electricity or phone supplier and customers can immediately get access to better healthcare for less.” 

“This new suite of plans highlights Hibernian Aviva’s commitment to leading the health insurance market both in terms of what we offer to consumers and innovation in healthcare.  These plans deliver simple and transparent health insurance that is the best in the market.  They are straightforward and easy to understand plans built around core customers needs.”
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For further information contact:
Alan Tyrrell
Group Media Relations Manager
Hibernian Aviva
Tel. 01 8985452
Mob. 086 850 8673

Amy Pilgrim, 01 6188 461 / 087 261 3300 amy.pilgrim@fleishmaneurope.com

Notes to editors:

The new Hibernian Aviva Health policies deliver:

• Better benefits: including cancer care and cardiac procedures in a high-tech hospital including cover for innovative healthcare products such as the cervical cancer vaccination.  Hibernian Aviva Health also offers the best maternity benefits when compared to competitors.
• More access: 143 hospitals and treatment centres so policyholders can receive treatment nearer to home and family.  Hibernian Aviva Health covers MRI scans in centres in Cork, Dublin, Donegal, Kildare, Mayo, Offaly, Tipperary, Galway and Waterford where some other health insurers don’t. 
• Better value: Hibernian Aviva Health offer savings of up to €455 for a family* when compared with the Vhi’s Plan B Option.  In addition, the Everyday plan only has a €1 excess fee for outpatient benefits such as GP visits meaning you can benefit financially from the policy straight away.
• Faster access: even the most basic Hibernian Aviva Health plan offers access to those essential day case procedures that can otherwise leave you waiting in the public health system for treatment.

*€455 saving is based on the price differential between Hibernian Aviva Health Level 2 Hospital and Vhi Plan B Option for a family of two adults, two children and one student.

Further detail below

Price comparison tables versus Vhi:

Sample Case Studies:

Family Case Study – Level 2 Hospital
John and Karen Brady are in their forties and have three children Amy, Jane and Ronan aged 11, 13 and 17. They are all covered under a family health insurance plan with Vhi – Plan B Option which they have held for 20 years. They have used their health insurance for the maternity benefits and Jane had her tonsils removed a couple of years ago.

If John and Karen were to switch to Hibernian Aviva Health Level 2 Hospital they would immediately save €455 by switching, get access to more hospitals and treatment centres, access to the widest range of approved treatment centres for out patient scans as well as a contribution to the cervical cancer vaccination. As Ronan is in college he will be charged at the child rate up until the age of 23. On their current plan he is being charged a higher student rate for which he will be eligible for up until the age of 21 when he will have to pay full adult prices.

Switching could be done with one simple phone call to Hibernian Aviva Health and the family can be covered immediately.

Individual Case Study – Level 2 Hospital
Michael Tiernan is a 29-year-old Business Development manager in a printing company. He has been on Vhi Plan B Option for the past five years through a group scheme in his job. He has never had to use his insurance but would not like to have to rely on the public system if he ever needed to go into hospital. He is currently paying €900 a year. By switching to Hibernian Aviva Health he could save €190.

Switching could be done with one simple phone call to Hibernian Aviva Health and Michael will be covered immediately. Hibernian Aviva Health can set up a direct debit for him over the phone to come out of his account on a day that suits him.

About Hibernian Aviva Health

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