Health Insurance Broker in Naas and Leinster

Personal health insurance advice from an established Irish brokerage

Choosing health insurance can be difficult. There are numerous plans, hospital lists, excesses, benefit limits and waiting-period rules to compare before you can determine whether a policy provides genuine value.

Dooley Insurance Group provides personal health insurance advice from our Naas office to individuals, families and businesses throughout County Kildare and the wider Leinster region.

We help customers review existing policies, understand their current benefits and compare suitable health insurance options available through our agency appointments.

If your renewal is approaching, send us your current plan or renewal notice. Aisling O’Connor, CIP APA, will review your premium, hospital cover, excesses and benefits before explaining the available options.

Phone: 085 851 4492
Email: aisling@dooleyinsurances.com

Local Health Insurance Advice in Naas

Working with a health insurance broker gives you access to personal advice when choosing, reviewing or switching your policy.

Rather than trying to compare complex policy documents alone, you can speak directly with an experienced adviser who will examine:

• Your current health insurance plan
• Your renewal premium
• The people included on the policy
• Your preferred hospitals
• Inpatient and day-case excesses
• Outpatient benefits
• Waiting periods
• Planned treatment
• Your priorities and budget

Our objective is to explain your options clearly so you can make an informed decision.

Health Insurance Across Leinster

Dooley Insurance Group serves customers throughout Leinster from our Naas office.

Our health insurance service is available to customers in:

• Naas
• Newbridge
• Kildare Town
• Sallins
• Clane
• Maynooth
• Celbridge
• Leixlip
• Kilcock
• Athy
• Kilcullen
• Monasterevin
• Rathangan
• Dublin
• Wicklow
• Meath
• Offaly
• Laois
• Carlow
• Westmeath
• Longford
• Louth
• Wexford
• Kilkenny

You do not need to visit our office to arrange a review. We can assist by phone and email, making the service accessible to customers throughout the province.

Health Insurance Services Available Through Dooleys

We provide health insurance support for:

• Individuals
• Couples
• Families
• Babies and children
• Young adults
• People over 50
• People approaching retirement
• Self-employed professionals
• Company directors
• Small businesses
• Corporate employers
• Employees leaving company schemes

Whether you are purchasing health insurance for the first time or reviewing a long-standing policy, we will help you understand the relevant cover, costs and restrictions.

What Does a Health Insurance Broker Do?

A health insurance broker helps customers understand and arrange suitable private health insurance.

The process can include:

• Reviewing existing cover
• Identifying your healthcare priorities
• Explaining hospital access
• Comparing premiums
• Examining inpatient and day-case excesses
• Reviewing outpatient benefits
• Explaining waiting periods
• Identifying upgrade implications
• Discussing family or employee cover
• Supporting the application or switching process

A broker does not decide whether a medical procedure is clinically necessary or guarantee that a claim will be paid. Treatment authorisation and claim decisions remain subject to the insurer’s assessment and policy terms.

Why Use a Health Insurance Broker?

Health insurance plans can appear similar while providing materially different benefits.

Two policies with comparable premiums may differ in relation to:

• Private hospital access
• Restricted hospital networks
• Inpatient accommodation
• Orthopaedic treatment
• Cardiac treatment
• Ophthalmic procedures
• Cancer treatment
• Consultant benefits
• Diagnostic tests
• Maternity cover
• Mental health services
• GP benefits
• Physiotherapy
• Inpatient and day-case excesses

A broker can help you identify these differences before you select or renew a plan.

Health Insurance Reviews in Naas

A health insurance review examines whether your existing plan continues to meet your requirements and budget.

During the review, we consider:

• Your current premium
• Any increase at renewal
• Your existing hospital cover
• Your preferred hospitals
• Your level of accommodation
• Inpatient excesses
• Day-case excesses
• Treatment-specific restrictions
• Outpatient benefits
• Waiting periods already completed
• Benefits that may no longer offer value
• Alternative options available through our agency appointments

The purpose is not to change your policy unnecessarily. It is to establish whether your existing cover remains appropriate.

Why Review Your Policy Before Renewal?

Many people renew the same health insurance policy every year without checking whether the price, hospital list or benefits have changed.

An annual review can identify:

• A substantial premium increase
• Reduced hospital access
• New excesses
• Higher co-payments
• Changes to outpatient benefits
• Benefits you no longer use
• Restrictions affecting important treatments
• Suitable alternatives
• Opportunities to restructure family cover
• A better balance between premium and protection

Allow enough time before renewal to examine the options properly. Waiting until after the renewal date can reduce your ability to change without potential cancellation consequences.

Compare Health Insurance Plans in Leinster

A proper health insurance comparison should consider the complete policy rather than the premium alone.

Important points include:

Hospital access

Check whether the policy covers eligible treatment in public hospitals, private hospitals or a restricted hospital network.

Accommodation

Establish whether cover applies to a public ward, semi-private room or private room and whether benefits differ between hospitals.

Inpatient excess

This is the amount you may need to pay towards an eligible hospital admission.

Day-case excess

Some policies apply a separate excess to eligible procedures completed without an overnight stay.

Treatment restrictions

Orthopaedic, cardiac, ophthalmic and other procedures may have specific benefit rules, shortfalls or co-payments.

Outpatient benefits

GP visits, consultant appointments, physiotherapy and diagnostic tests may be subject to limits or a separate excess.

Waiting periods

New-customer or upgrade waiting periods can affect when particular benefits become available.

Total annual cost

Consider the premium together with potential excesses, shortfalls and other out-of-pocket expenses.

Switching Health Insurance

You can generally switch health insurance plan or provider at renewal.

Switching may be worth considering if:

• Your premium has increased
• Your hospital preferences have changed
• Your current plan contains unnecessary benefits
• Your excess is no longer suitable
• Your family circumstances have changed
• You are approaching retirement
• You are leaving an employer scheme
• A different plan may better reflect your priorities

Completed new-customer waiting periods do not normally restart simply because you switch insurer. Higher benefits may be subject to an upgrade waiting period.

The Health Insurance Authority’s switching guidance explains the general rules that apply when changing policy or insurer.

Will I Lose Cover for a Pre-Existing Condition If I Switch?

Having a pre-existing condition does not prevent you from reviewing or switching health insurance.

If you have completed your new-customer waiting periods, you should not normally have to repeat them when moving to another insurer.

However, if the new policy provides higher benefits, an upgrade waiting period may apply to the additional cover.

During that waiting period, your previous level of cover may continue for the relevant benefit, subject to the insurer’s rules and policy terms.

Do not cancel your current policy until the replacement cover, start date and waiting-period position have been confirmed.

Health Insurance for Individuals

Individual health insurance can be arranged around your own priorities rather than those of a family or employer group.

We can help you consider:

• Your preferred hospitals
• Your acceptable excess
• The importance of private hospital access
• Consultant and diagnostic benefits
• GP and outpatient cover
• Maternity benefits
• Mental health benefits
• Your previous insurance history
• Your available budget

If you are purchasing health insurance for the first time after age 34, Lifetime Community Rating may also need to be considered.

Health Insurance for Couples

Couples do not have to remain on the same health insurance plan.

Each person may have different priorities. One partner may value broader hospital access, while the other may prefer stronger outpatient benefits or a lower premium.

Reviewing both people separately can help determine whether:

• One plan remains appropriate for both
• Different plans provide better individual cover
• A higher excess is suitable for one partner
• Particular hospital benefits are necessary
• The combined premium can be reduced responsibly

Administrative convenience should not be the only reason for keeping two people on the same plan.

Family Health Insurance in Naas and Leinster

Family health insurance should consider every person included on the policy.

Adults and children may require different:

• Hospital benefits
• Excesses
• Outpatient cover
• Maternity benefits
• Paediatric services
• Mental health benefits
• Consultant benefits

Keeping everyone on one plan may be convenient, but separate plans can sometimes provide better value.

When reviewing family health insurance, we examine the cover and premium for each person rather than treating the family as a single unit.

Health Insurance for Babies and Children

Parents should consider hospital access, paediatric services, outpatient benefits and excesses when choosing health insurance for a child.

A newborn should be added to an existing policy promptly. A baby added within 13 weeks of birth will not normally have to serve standard new-customer waiting periods.

Do not assume a newborn has been added automatically. Contact the insurer or adviser and obtain confirmation.

As a child grows older, review the policy before renewal. Pricing, benefits and dependent status can change as a child becomes a young adult.

Health Insurance for Over 50s

Health insurance priorities can change as people move through their 50s, 60s and into retirement.

A review may place greater emphasis on:

• Private hospital access
• Orthopaedic treatment
• Cardiac treatment
• Ophthalmic treatment
• Cancer benefits
• Diagnostic tests
• Consultant cover
• Inpatient excesses
• Day-case treatment
• Outpatient services

Turning 50 does not automatically increase the standard premium because of age. However, insurer price changes, plan changes and Lifetime Community Rating can affect the amount paid.

Health Insurance for People Approaching Retirement

Retirement is an important time to review health insurance, particularly if your employer currently pays for or arranges the policy.

Before retiring, establish:

• When employer cover will end
• Whether the same plan can be continued
• The full private premium
• Whether group pricing will be lost
• What happens to a spouse or dependant
• Whether an alternative plan is suitable
• How to avoid a break in cover

Allowing cover to lapse for more than 13 weeks can affect waiting periods and may have Lifetime Community Rating implications.

Corporate Health Insurance in Naas and Leinster

Dooley Insurance Group also assists businesses considering employee health insurance.

Corporate health insurance can be structured in different ways. An employer may:

• Pay the full employee premium
• Make a fixed contribution
• Fund a core plan
• Allow employees to pay for upgrades
• Include dependant options
• Arrange a voluntary company scheme
• Administer payments through payroll

We can help businesses assess suitable options available through our agency appointments and understand the differences between hospital cover, excesses, outpatient benefits and contribution structures.

Employer-paid health insurance is generally treated as a taxable Benefit in Kind. Businesses should obtain current payroll and tax advice before implementing a scheme.

Health Insurance for Self-Employed People

Self-employed professionals and business owners may not have access to an employer-funded health insurance scheme.

When selecting personal cover, consider:

• Your annual budget
• Your preferred hospitals
• The excess you could afford
• The potential impact of time away from work
• Outpatient services you are likely to use
• Your previous insurance history
• Whether family members also require cover

Private health insurance does not replace income protection or business protection insurance. These products address different financial risks.

Understanding Hospital Lists

Hospital lists are one of the most important parts of a health insurance policy.

A plan may provide:

• Public hospital cover
• Access to selected private hospitals
• Access to a broader private hospital network
• Different benefits in different hospitals
• Restricted orthopaedic or ophthalmic cover
• Specific treatment-centre benefits

Do not assume that every private hospital is included because the policy refers generally to private hospital cover.

If you prefer a particular facility in Naas, Kildare, Dublin or elsewhere in Leinster, check that hospital by name before changing plans or arranging treatment.

Understanding Health Insurance Excesses

An excess is the amount you may have to pay towards an eligible claim.

Before selecting a policy, establish:

• The inpatient excess
• The day-case excess
• Whether it applies per admission
• Whether it applies per claim
• Whether it can apply several times in one year
• Whether different hospitals have different excesses
• Whether co-payments can apply
• Whether outpatient claims have a separate excess

A lower premium can sometimes be achieved by accepting a higher excess. The potential claim cost should remain affordable.

Outpatient and Day-to-Day Benefits

Outpatient benefits may contribute towards eligible:

• GP consultations
• Consultant appointments
• Physiotherapy
• Diagnostic tests
• Dental treatment
• Optical expenses
• Mental health consultations
• Other practitioner services

Plans may refund a percentage of an eligible expense, provide a fixed contribution or apply an annual outpatient excess.

A plan with extensive outpatient benefits can cost more. Compare the likely annual refund with the additional premium before deciding whether the benefit provides value.

Waiting Period Advice

Waiting periods may apply if you:

• Purchase health insurance for the first time
• Return after a break in cover
• Upgrade to higher benefits
• Have not completed a previous waiting period
• Add benefits that were not included on your previous plan

A waiting period applies to the relevant benefit rather than automatically removing every part of your cover.

If you switch insurer while completing a waiting period, time already served should generally be recognised, and only the remaining period continues.

The exact position should be confirmed before you change or cancel a policy.

Lifetime Community Rating

Lifetime Community Rating can apply if you first purchase health insurance at age 35 or older.

The loading is generally calculated at 2% of the gross premium for each year above age 34 during which you did not hold qualifying health insurance.

Previous periods of cover and certain credits may reduce the loading. The insurer calculates the final amount based on your circumstances and insurance history.

If you are returning to Ireland, changing employer scheme or rejoining after a break, provide complete information about your previous cover.

Health Insurance and Planned Treatment

If you have an upcoming consultation, diagnostic test, hospital admission or procedure, take care before changing your policy.

Confirm:

• The hospital
• The consultant
• The procedure
• The admission type
• The expected excess
• Any shortfall or co-payment
• Whether prior approval is required
• Whether a waiting period applies
• Whether the proposed policy provides equivalent cover

A plan showing a particular hospital does not guarantee that every consultant, procedure or associated expense will be fully covered.

Specific treatment eligibility should be confirmed directly with the insurer.

What Information Should I Send Dooleys?

To arrange a health insurance review, send us:

• Your renewal notice
• Your current plan name
• Your renewal date
• The current premium
• The names or ages of the people included
• Your preferred hospitals
• The benefits most important to you
• Details of any treatment already planned

Do not send detailed medical records unless requested through an appropriate secure process.

Your renewal notice normally provides the most useful starting point for the review.

How Our Health Insurance Review Works

Our process is straightforward.

1. Send us your renewal information

Provide your current policy details or renewal notice.

2. Tell us what matters to you

Explain your preferred hospitals, important benefits and available budget.

3. We review your current plan

We examine your premium, hospital access, excesses, benefits and restrictions.

4. We assess suitable options

We compare relevant options available through our agency appointments.

5. We explain the differences

You receive a clear explanation of the cover, costs and important considerations.

6. You make an informed decision

If you decide to change, we explain the steps involved and the information required.

Meet Aisling O’Connor

Aisling O’Connor, CIP APA, is a Director of Dooley Insurance Group and heads our Health Insurance Section.

Aisling joined Dooleys in 2009 and works with individuals, couples, families and businesses reviewing private health insurance.

Her approach is based on understanding the customer’s existing cover, priorities and budget before discussing suitable options.

Phone: 085 851 4492
Email: aisling@dooleyinsurances.com

Visit Our Naas Office

Dooley Insurance Group’s Naas office is located at:

6B and 6C Sycamore House
Millennium Park
Osberstown
Naas
County Kildare
W91 K466

Naas office: 045 431642
Health insurance enquiries: 085 851 4492
Email: aisling@dooleyinsurances.com

Appointments and health insurance reviews can also be arranged by phone or email for customers throughout Leinster.

Why Choose Dooley Insurance Group?

Dooley Insurance Group is an established Irish brokerage serving customers since 1957.

Customers choose Dooleys for:

• Personal health insurance advice
• Direct access to an experienced adviser
• Clear explanations of policy benefits
• Support reviewing existing cover
• Consideration of cost and protection
• Assistance for individuals, families and businesses
• Local service from our Naas office
• Health insurance support throughout Leinster
• An established Irish brokerage relationship

Our role is to make health insurance easier to understand and help you make a properly informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance Brokers in Naas

Is there a health insurance broker in Naas?

Yes. Dooley Insurance Group provides health insurance advice from its Naas office to customers throughout Kildare and Leinster.

Do I need to visit the Naas office?

No. Health insurance reviews can be completed by phone and email. Send us your renewal notice and current policy information to begin.

Can Dooleys review my existing health insurance?

Yes. We can examine your current premium, hospital cover, excesses and benefits before discussing suitable options available through our agency appointments.

When should I contact a health insurance broker?

Contact us before your annual renewal, when your premium increases, when your family circumstances change or before leaving an employer scheme.

Can a broker help me switch health insurance?

Yes. We can explain the differences between your current policy and suitable alternatives, including relevant waiting-period and upgrade considerations.

Can I switch if I have a pre-existing condition?

Yes. If your new-customer waiting periods are complete, switching insurer does not normally restart them. Higher benefits may be subject to an upgrade waiting period.

Will Dooleys recommend the cheapest health insurance plan?

Our review considers suitability as well as price. The cheapest plan may have restricted hospitals, higher excesses or lower treatment benefits.

Does Dooleys provide family health insurance advice?

Yes. We review health insurance for individuals, couples, babies, children, young adults and families.

Does Dooleys provide corporate health insurance advice?

Yes. We assist businesses considering new or existing employee health insurance arrangements.

Does Dooleys serve customers outside Kildare?

Yes. Our Naas health insurance service is available to customers across Dublin, Wicklow, Meath, Offaly, Laois and the wider Leinster region.

What should I send for a health insurance review?

Send your current renewal notice, plan name, renewal date, premium and details of the hospitals or benefits most important to you.

How long has Dooley Insurance Group been established?

Dooley Insurance Group has served individuals, families and businesses since 1957.

Arrange a Health Insurance Review in Naas or Leinster

If your health insurance renewal is approaching, do not automatically accept the new premium.

Send Dooley Insurance Group your current plan or renewal notice. We will review your hospital cover, excesses, benefits and available options.

Contact Aisling O’Connor, CIP APA.

Phone: 085 851 4492
Email: aisling@dooleyinsurances.com

You can also contact our Naas office on 045 431642.

Dooley Insurance Group provides health insurance advice from Naas to customers throughout County Kildare and the wider Leinster region.

This page provides general information and does not replace the terms and conditions of an individual health insurance policy. Benefits, exclusions, hospital access, excesses, waiting periods and claim decisions depend on the insurer and plan selected.

Dooley Insurances Ltd t/a Dooley Insurance & Mortgage Brokers and Dooley Insurance Group is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.