Medical Insurance and Gesy; a difficult decision

[WHL]

Gesy in my opinion is one of the best things to happen since independence, Cyprus has sent its citizens abroad for treatment that could not be had here, mainly Greece, Israel, UK, before Gesy and I still think this happens, however there will be changes in payments towards Gesy, as the system has reached overload and can't continue in its present form, financial speaking, I would hang on a while if I was in your position, until things are clearer

[jeba]

My neighbour is currently suffering from a kidney stone and on Thursday was referred to a private urologist who made an appointment for an "emergency" CT scan. That appointment will only be next Wednesday. I´m not impressed enough to join, to put it mildly.

[JimX]

Cannot see what the problem is regarding GESY how stupid is it to pay, in the UK NHS you would wait several months to even get seen by a doctor, I paid privately for a Prostate Operation that failed in Paphos, even after paying over K4,500 €, I wished I had waited using GESY the outcome may have been the same but my bank balance would have not suffered...If you are eligible for GESY go for it.

[WHL]

My neighbour is currently suffering from a kidney stone and on Thursday was referred to a private urologist who made an appointment for an "emergency" CT scan. That appointment will only be next Wednesday. I´m not impressed enough to join, to put it mildly.

One million others think its great, simple don't join, I've had kidney stones, very painful but not life or death, I think your on your own with your opinion.

[Dominic]

I think using GESY and setting aside the money you would have pumped into a private scheme is a good idea.

[Devil]

My neighbour is currently suffering from a kidney stone and on Thursday was referred to a private urologist who made an appointment for an "emergency" CT scan. That appointment will only be next Wednesday. I´m not impressed enough to join, to put it mildly.

That is entirely up to you! You can join either GESY or go to a private doctor, as you wish. In my own case, I recently had to have a Doppler scan, which was conducted (lasting 1.5 hours) within two or three hours of my consultation. After a drink, I went back to the doctor who prescribed the necessary medication. I arrived initially at about 10:30 and left the hospital about four hours later.

[jeba]

WHL, I take your point, but state-funded health plans like GESY soon become sacred cows, and few politicians would be brave (or stupid) enough to reduce benefits or treatments.

I wouldn´t bet on that. Cutting benefits is exactly what they did in Germany. E.g. public health insurance doesn´t pay for glasses anymore (unless you qualify for an exception), they introduced co-payments for medication, ambulance rides and hospital stays (copayments are low, but they used to be zero) and struck non-prescription drugs from the list of what´s covered. Just to name a few of those cuts. I´m not complaining though, this is what you have to expect given the demographic changes.

[WHL]

Thanks folks, your opinions seem to bear out what we were thinking. Jim, we joined GESY from the outset, but to say I have been blown away by the speed, amazing efficiency, and low cost, would be an understatement. My CT scan alone would have cost me €330 and the service I received was no different to when I formerly went privately to George Vorkas. Although non-urgent I had my scan within a week of booking.

Our age-related monthly insurance premiums are over €300, so we could be saving a sizeable chunk each year. And I know insurance companies and claims assessors well enough to know that they have a host of reasons in the small print which deny you being paid out on what are quite legitimate claims.

WHL, I take your point, but state-funded health plans like GESY soon become sacred cows, and few politicians would be brave (or stupid) enough to reduce benefits or treatments. What I think will happen is that taxes to both individuals and companies will go up appreciably over time to meet patient expectations, rather than benefits being cut.

Gesy isn't going anywhere, but there will be more taxation/ contributions needed because the current funding, is no where near enough to cover the costs of running it, agree with Jeba some services might be taken out, of the totally free range,

[Dot n Dash]

Like a lot of people we are undecided wether to continue our private medical insurance, having paid for the last twenty years. If we had banked the premiums since coming to Cyprus considering interest rates in the early years we would have a pot approaching 100,000 euros.
However, my main gripe is that we have both had treatment recently that probably cost over 2000 euros which was met by GESY, this would previously been claimed on our insurance, but so far no mention of a reduction in premiums. Has anyone put this question to their insurance provider?
The other thing to consider is, will GESY stand the test of time and if you do decide to cancel, you would be unlikely to find an insurer even at these inflated premiums.
I suppose having just paid the annual premium, we will have a year to decide, so wait and see.

[Kili01]

My original post was cut out, but, I agree with WHL's point re the escalating cost of the scheme. I agree that ways will be found to claw some money back. In fact there is already a co- payment scheme, where most things are covered, but some prescribed medicines attract a cost. I pay 50% of the cost of one of my repeat prescription drugs, for example. But Gesy is a wonderful scheme, long may it continue.
For now,I am keeping my med insurance, as it covers hospital treatment, should I need it when I'm in the UK. Currently the NHS is under enormous pressure, my insurance gives me peace of mind. Just in case.. Dee

[sued51]

I was actually told by a consultant at a private hospital in Paphos to cancel my insurance as all it was necessary for now was for cover abroad - decent travel insurance is far cheaper than health insurance!

[Dominic]

My original post was cut out, but, I agree with WHL's point re the escalating cost of the scheme. I agree that ways will be found to claw some money back. In fact there is already a co- payment scheme, where most things are covered, but some prescribed medicines attract a cost. I pay 50% of the cost of one of my repeat prescription drugs, for example. But Gesy is a wonderful scheme, long may it continue.
For now,I am keeping my med insurance, as it covers hospital treatment, should I need it when I'm in the UK. Currently the NHS is under enormous pressure, my insurance gives me peace of mind. Just in case.. Dee

What are you talking out? None of your posts have been cut out.

[jeba]

I was actually told by a consultant at a private hospital in Paphos to cancel my insurance as all it was necessary for now was for cover abroad - decent travel insurance is far cheaper than health insurance!

The problem with travel insurance is that pre-existing conditions will most likely not be covered and that there will also be age restrictions.

any pre-existing conditions you have acquired in your 70 years would be disallowed for insurance purposes. This is why a decision like this needs to be carefully thought through, as we know there's no going back once we leave our insurer.

Is there no option to put your private insurance in standby mode, reserving the right to reactivate it for a modest premium (sort of a maintenace fee)? My insurance offers that for 20% of the regular contribution.

[Devil]

I suggest that you all check your situation with your insurers before taking any major steps. In my case, I pay a whacking sum every month to a private insurance company to benefit from public funds and it's mandatory to contribute; yes, it sounds complicated and in fact is! On the other hand, I get good treatment in Cyprus by paying this obligatory premium. If I stopped payment of the premiums abroad, I would no longer be covered in Cyprus and I would be in deep trouble.