Today, I’m writing to share details regarding our plans to redirect claim cost savings back to our almost 600,000 members and how we are significantly increasing the essential healthcare benefits and services our members can access remotely during this challenging time.
First things first, we’re putting money back in our members’ pockets.
We plan to redirect a claim cost savings in the form of a benefit to the amount of €195 for every adult member and €60 for every child member. For a family of 2 adults + 2 children, that’s a total of €510.
The total will be split into three equal instalments and paid over three months - April to June 2020 –which is the estimated period of time that our hospitals will be re-organised in response to Covid-19. We will pay the first instalment by the 30th of April 2020. Members must have a current active policy on the 1st of each month – April, May, June – to qualify for the monthly instalment.
If a member’s employer pays for their health insurance, we will distribute a payment directly to the employee and a separate payment will be made to the employer. Companies have different arrangements with their employees – some pay for cover in full, others make a part-contribution, so exact details will be communicated to these members and their employers directly to reflect their individual circumstances.
If hospitals return to normal before the end of June, we’ll need to revise the monthly instalment accordingly.
The rate at which things are changing feels relentless in recent weeks, but what has stayed constant is how our members rely on us for their everyday healthcare needs. We’ve seen a 113% increase in the use of our video and telephone GP consultation services in the past month.[i]
In response, we’re increasing our team of GPs and Physios that are available to our members and removing existing restrictions at no additional cost for three months so members can access key benefits and services remotely when they need them. While fair usage applies, we will provide:
We know these are uncertain times and we hope this update goes some way to help. I would remind members of the significant value their existing health cover provides. Our members are still getting sick with non-Covid-19 related illnesses and injuries. Public hospitals - including acute hospitals, maternity hospitals, children hospitals and private psychiatric hospitals - continue to treat patients privately for non-Covid-19 related illnesses and we are continuing to pay those claims as we normally would.
If admitted to a public hospital for a non-Covid-19 related illness, our members will still be charged €813 a night if they choose to be admitted as a private patient or €80 a night up to a maximum of €800 if they choose to be treated as a public patient – the statutory charge of €80 a night applies to both public and private hospitals. Laya healthcare fully covers this cost whatever our member decides.
Quick access to diagnostics tests and scans including MRI, CT and X-Ray is one of the main reasons our members take out private health cover. They can still continue to access a nationwide network of private scan centres which are operating as normal right now.
For a full list of benefits and services we offer go to .
Our team is busy at this time answering urgent calls so I’d ask our members to refer to our website layahealthcare.ie for more information and to understand terms that may affect their eligibility.
We will be in touch directly with members to confirm details on the redirected claim cost savings paid as a benefit. This will be returned in the same way we’d pay an everyday medical claim with the first instalment paid by the 30th April 2020.
Rest assured I, and the entire laya healthcare team, will continue to step up and play our part in the weeks and months ahead to join the collective national effort of supporting our community.
Let’s stay in touch. Let’s look after ourselves and those we love.
Looking After You Always,
Dónal Clancy
Your Insurance is provided by Elips Insurance Limited (Inc. Liechtenstein) trading as Laya Healthcare. Laya Healthcare Limited, trading as Laya Healthcare and Laya Life, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Laya Healthcare Limited acts as an agent for healthcare products for Elips Insurance Limited and is a private company limited by shares registered in Ireland, No 242048. The registered office of Laya Healthcare Limited is Eastgate Road, Eastgate Business Park, Little Island, Co. Cork, T45 E181
Specialist remote monitoring of Covid-19 symptoms: Laya healthcare will pay for members to access an app-based service that provides Remote Monitoring for Covid-19. This innovative technology, created by our healthcare partner Centric Health is run by healthcare professionals and offers remote diagnosis, clinical assessment and ongoing monitoring of those with Covid-19 symptoms from the comfort of their home. It’s additional peace of mind when they need it most and another way we’re looking after them always.
How can our Laya Healthcare Concierge team help? Our Healthcare Concierge service is made up of a dedicated clinical team of healthcare professionals who can answer any health-related question you might have at this uncertain time e.g. how can I recover at home from an illness?, how can I care for a vulnerable loved one?, how can I access a GP?, what if I have symptoms of Covid-19?, and so on. Our team is now available to all members, by call or email, to help them navigate a health system that’s readjusting to extraordinary circumstances in the next few months.
[i] Laya Healthcare Service Utilisation of GPLive, GPLine and NurseLine, March Vs February 2020 Communication