Vhi Healthcare

Vhi Healthcare, Irish health insurer since 1957

Vhi Healthcare operates in Ireland as a health insurance provider and presents itself on its own website as the country's largest health insurer, with one million customers. The company states that it has provided access to quality private healthcare since 1957 through a broad range of healthcare products and services. Its activity is structured around private medical insurance and a series of complementary coverages, together with its own healthcare services.

Insurance products

The insurer's catalogue includes health insurance for individuals, with plans tailored to different needs, and an international policy designed for those who work, study or travel abroad for six months or more. It also offers annual travel insurance covering all trips up to 180 days, dental insurance with various options, and life and mortgage protection policies aimed at family financial protection. For businesses, it provides corporate health insurance with benefits, services and healthcare tools for employers.

The website indicated reference prices in its catalogue: health insurance from €87.21 per month for the FirstCare 500 Day to Day plan, annual travel insurance from €63 for an adult aged 18 to 64, dental from €28.51 per month, and life and mortgage protection cover from €7.58 per month. These figures correspond to specific age profiles and conditions described by the entity itself.

Healthcare services for members

In addition to insurance, Vhi provides direct care services to its members. These include urgent care for minor injuries or illnesses at Vhi 360 Health Centres, a 24-hour nurse phone line, video consultations with a doctor, and a 24-hour emergency medical assistance service abroad. The company also mentions a women's health clinic, pelvic floor coaching, mental health support and specialist GPs.

Members pay an excess of €50 or €75 at Vhi 360 centres, depending on the plan, and receive rapid care with follow-up if needed. The entity states that 99% of hospital claims are paid, that online doctor appointments are seen within 48 hours, that 98% of everyday claims are paid within five days, and that health check appointments are available within two weeks.

Network of health centres

Vhi has several healthcare centres in Ireland, located in Carrickmines, Swords, Dundrum, Cork, Limerick and Galway. Each offers a different combination of services: urgent care, diagnostics, paediatrics, treatments and health checks. The company also handles claims through a special investigations unit for issues related to benefits or billing.

Corporate and group coverage

Customers and their dependants can be covered individually or through more than 8,000 corporate and affinity group schemes nationwide. Communication with policyholders is mainly by phone, email, post and the website itself.

Institutional and regulatory activity

Vhi Healthcare DAC, which trades as Vhi Healthcare, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. The entity is linked to Vhi Insurance DAC for health insurance in Ireland, to Collinson Insurance Europe Limited for MultiTrip travel, dental and international insurance, and to Zurich Life Assurance plc for term life insurance and mortgage protection. Its registered office is at IDA Business Park, Purcellsinch, Dublin Road, Kilkenny.

Location and contact

Hours: 8:00 - 21:00