Two cancer patients and two oncologists raise concerns about how customers of private health insurers Irish Life and Laya Healthcare are losing out on access to new cancer treatments
“Existing insurance customers and those considering taking out insurance do need to realise that there is a substantial imbalance in coverage for cancer between VHI and the other two companies,” says Prof John Crown.
“I was delighted, but then Irish Life said they don’t cover it,” Mary says. “The VHI will cover it, and the HSE don’t want to know about it for certain cancers.” She says she didn’t have the strength to take up the issue with her insurer but a family member helped her appeal the decision to refuse cover for pembrolizumab.
Anita O’Connell believes the refusal of her health insurer, Irish Life, to fund a potentially life-changing treatment for her cancer is “extremely unfair” when it is available through another insurer, VHI. Anita O’Connell believes the refusal of Irish Life to fund a potentially life-changing treatment for her cancer is 'extremely unfair' when it is available through VHI. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Its review concluded that the drug could be considered for reimbursement “if cost-effectiveness can be improved relative to existing treatments”. “I felt they didn’t try hard enough to help me. ‘Irish Life – we’re here to help.’ Well, they weren’t really there to help at all, to be quite honest with you.”
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