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International Students

Student Information and Services: Pre-departure Information - Health Insurance

 Health Insurance 

All non-EU students must have private health insurance for Immigration purposes.  Immigration will only grant permission to reside in Ireland if you can produce private health insurance policy documentation.  In the case of visa requiring students it is mandatory to submit private health insurance details with the visa application. (The health insurance document must be written in English).

Visiting European students are expected to have their European Health Insurance Card, which is issued in their home country, prior to departure and before arrival in Ireland .

While EU students can avail of the public health service all students are advised that it is highly desirable to have cover for private medical care.    Such cover would ensure that a student has choice of doctor, choice of hospital and choice of hospital accommodation in the event of illness. 

Students are advised that in addition to medical insurance being a visa and immigration requirement the cost of Healthcare in Ireland is high. A one night stay in hospital can cost in excess of €1200. Therefore we would recommend that all students carry medical insurance in case they are taken ill or are involved in an accident whilst studying with us.   

Students often wonder why private health insurance is necessary given that UCC has a Student Health Department.  You need private medical insurance to cover any emergency situation where you might need to be hospitalised or access to private consultations.

 

Options for Private Health Insurance:

A. Obtain health cover from home country.  Please ensure that it is valid in Ireland .  Please note that in case where there is a high deductible (excess) it may be less expensive to purchase health insurance in Ireland

B. Obtain private health insurance from providers operating in the Irish Market


Irish Health Insurance Companies:

 O'Driscoll O'Neill Insurance
 The most competitively priced insurance policy available to UCC students is the Medicover Medical Expenses policy underwritten by Ace at €120 for cover for a year. This policy is now available to UCC students at www.odon.ie/ucc

 VHI -Voluntary Health Insurance Board
Address:
Voluntary Health Insurance Board, VHI House, 70 South Mall, Cork

Call Save 1850 44 44 44
Line open: 8am - 8pm Mon-Fri & 9am - 3pm Sat
Fax: 021 427 7901

Website: http://www.vhihealthcare.com/ 
For UCC Students: VHI Details for UCC Students
Email: info@vhi.ie
To purchase private health insurance from VHI  log on to: VHI Details for UCC Students
Please indicate that you are a student at University College Cork.  In the case of international students the University has an agreement with VHI under scheme 33/2793 which enables you to avail of a group plan. Please note that, except in the case of an accident, there is a waiting period of several weeks before cover commences.

 

Quinn Healthcare
Address:
QUINN-Healthcare, Eastgate Business Park, Little Island, Co Cork

LoCall: 1890 89 1890
Tel: 021 2022991

Website: www.quinn-healthcare.com
Email: info@quinn-healthcare.com


 Hibernian Aviva Health
Address:
Hibernian Aviva Health, PO Box 764, Togher, Cork .
Head Office: Hibernian Aviva Health,One Park Place,Hatch Street, Dublin 2.

Call Centre - 1850 717 717Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm

Website: http://www.hibernian.ie/online/health/
Email : info@hibernianavivahealth.ie


C. Some students have also availed of the services of International Health Insurance Danmark a/s. Details are available at http://www.ihi.com/

 Please check when cover commences and what exactly is covered in the policy.  Give consideration to repatriation.

Contact International Education Office:  T:+353 (0)21 490 4734 | F:+353 (0)21 490 4735 |
Addr: International Education Office, "Roseleigh", Western Road, Cork |
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