Insurance Information & Self Pay
Bon Secours Hospital Cork is covered by all major private health insurers and also welcome self-paying patients.
Please bring your Health Insurance Provider Plan and membership number with you on the day of your admission.
An excess amount and/or a shortfall amount may be payable by you, depending on the health insurance plan that you have purchased. To ensure smooth admission to the hospital please be aware of the following:
- A Policy Excess: This is specified in your policy as the amount payable by you before your health insurer is required to pay anything. Normally this is a once off payment per each admission to hospital and is payable in advance of admission.
- A Policy Shortfall: This is the difference between the charge for hospital treatment and the amount your health insurance plan covers. Shortfalls are usually applied on a per night basis. For example, many health insurance plans provide cover for shared room accommodation (semi-private) only. If your plan covers you for semiprivate room accommodation only and you avail of private room accommodation you will be liable for a shortfall payment.
- You may be accommodated in a private room during your stay even if you have not requested one. This can be for a variety of reasons including for infection control purposes. Also, Bon Secours Hospital Cork has a limited number of shared rooms, and it may not be possible to provide you with shared accommodation during your stay. In such circumstances, you may be liable for a shortfall payment. Private room shortfalls vary depending on the insurance plan and can be very significant. Bon Secours Hospital Cork limits the private room shortfall at €80 per night for a maximum of 4 nights during any single admission. Patients who have multiple admissions to the hospital will have the private room shortfall capped at €720 in any calendar year.
Prior to your admission, you should check your level of cover directly with your health insurance provider. Contact details are as below.
VHI Health Care (056) 4444444
LAYA Health Care (021) 2022000
Irish Life (01) 5625100
Garda Medical Aid (01) 8991604
ESB Provident Fund (061) 430474/ 430581
Prison Officer Medical Aid (01) 8308963
You can also call Bon Secours Hospital Cork 021 4941900 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday for further advice on your cover.
Arrangements are in place with the Health Insurers to settle your account directly. Please note that any excess or shortfall is payable prior to your admission. Credit or Debit Card details will be taken upon admission, and the payment will be processed on discharge. You will receive a text message in advance of your admission asking you to confirm you understand the above and wish to proceed with your admission.
Here are five very important questions to ask your insurance company:
- What is the start date of my cover?
- What is the name of my plan?
- Do waiting periods apply to my policy at the moment?
- Is there an excess/shortfall payable by me to the hospital on the day of my treatment?
- Am I covered for my treatment? For example, I am having Orthopaedic Surgery in Bon Secours Hospital in two weeks, am I covered for this treatment at this time?
Self-Pay Patients (non-insured)
In most cases, the hospital will be in a position to quote a fixed price for treatment of non insured patients. This will be based on the information forwarded by your Consultant on treatment required, anticipated length of stay, ancillary services etc.
You will be asked for payment on or before admission. You may be entitled to tax relief as a self-pay patient and our staff will be pleased to provide further details.
Included below also is a guideline only of the level of cover provided by health insurers for admissions to Bon Secours Hospital. For precise details on the level of cover provided by specific plans, please refer to the Health Insurance Authority website, www.hia.ie
