Hello Liam and All,
I am an Irish citizen by descent, my husband is a US citizen. We plan to move to Ireland next year. I am wanting information about health insurance. If I understand the rules, as an Irish citizen I can obtain a medical card but my husband must purchase health insurance until he is also a citizen which would take approx 4 years. Is this true and does anyone know approx how much health insurance purchased from an Irish health insurance company would cost. Thank you so much for any guidance and referrals to the most affordable health insurance for my 64 year old, very healthy beloved.
Joanna
Liam, Could you point me in the direction to where I can find information on getting private health insurance while visiting, for 5 months, in Ireland and Northern Ireland? I will be on US Medicare insurance when we are planning on coming over next summer but I know that Medicare will not cover me while in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Becky
Similar question. Will answer both here.
Joanna,
Just a quick fyi - medical cards in Ireland are means tested. You can read more about eligibility etc here, and the following may explain eligibility for you as an Irish citizen for regular medical services - read this.
Your husband may or may not require a medical insurance policy that has affect in Ireland. The following link over at the INIS site explains why/how http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/wp07000024
Regarding costs for medical, it can vary greatly. You could go with an Irish plan (e.g. VHI, BUPA etc), or a US based one that has FULL coverage in Ireland. I'd recommend getting quotes as I'd only be speculating regarding coverage costs. There are so many factors that play in to it as I'm sure you're aware. This was discussed to some degree a while back on the site. Here's that info.
I really hope all this helps 🙂
Liam
Becky - it sounds like a comprehensive travel medical policy, taken out in the US, would suit your needs. As a non-resident, a plan in either country (Northern or Republic of Ireland) probably isn't the best fit. And if you did want to go that route, you'd have to get one from both countries, as the health services are not managed as one.