HEALTH INSURANCE?

Health insurance is a topic of discussion recently. With the new private hospital open to customers, ahem, sorry I mean, patients, there are tales of the rising costs for insurance policies. Another hospital is in the planning. There is comfort and security in having insurance to cover the costs of healthcare. I understand that. It takes the stress out of a future worry, I guess. Recent research suggests the average cost per year is €1,900. Customers are encouraged to shop around for better deals, of course. The onus is on the customer to seek the value.
 
I haven’t got private health insurance and it is by choice. The public system is funded by taxes, so I figure I am paying into it already. Not that I want to use it regularly!
 
I choose to put the money into other things like good organic food and a sun holiday. A seaweed bath. A bicycle. A walk in the forest. Bare foot on the grass. Organic bedding for a good night's sleep. Courses on foraging for medicinal herbs.. another book.. that is my health insurance and you know, it’s often free!
 
I hear that in South Africa, you can earn rewards to keep your private health insurance policy costs lower. Gym membership and healthy food, for instance, can lower your premium and you are encouraged to be responsible for your own health. I like this idea and wonder why don’t they do that here to the same degree. But then, sick people are good customers for the system and the incentive is there to maintain the status quo. It would be a sea change if doctors were paid on the true success of a patient getting well rather than by the number of tests and treatments carried out. If medical interventions and medication are a leading cause of death then my money is on real food. I’ll take my chances.  

Anne Maher