Don’t let the insurance industry jargon discourage you from choosing a tailored healthcare policy. Here are a few brief explanations of some key terms that you may encounter when browsing through different plans:

A contract between an individual/company (policyholder) and an insurance company that helps cover all or part of the medical and hospital costs people may incur, depending on your chosen plan. Cheaper plans tend to offer less coverage, while more expensive plans offer additional protection.

A request made by the insured person for their insurance company to pay for medical expenses that are covered under their insurance policy.

An amount that the insured person pays before their insurance company starts to help with their medical bill.

The first part of any insurance claim the insured person has to pay by themselves. An in-patient excess is an amount they might pay on private hospital claims. An out-patient excess is an amount that is deducted from the amount payable to the insured person.

An amount that the insured person pays each time a specified medical service which is liable to co-payment is used. It must be paid directly to the medical service provider and it is not reimbursable. It cannot be counted in the cost of any excess or out-patient claim.

The period that must pass from the start date of the health insurance policy before full cover is available (i.e. before the insured person can make a claim).

An individual or firm hired by an employer to handle claims processing, pay providers, and manage other functions related to the operation of health insurance. The TPA is not the policyholder or the insurer.

A system defined by the Irish government whereby the premium increases with the age an insured person enters into a health insurance policy for the first time. Under this system, a 50 year-old who has held insurance since they were 30 would pay the same as a 30 year-old, but a 50 year-old who purchases health insurance for the first time would pay more than a 30 year-old.

The maximum amount a plan will pay for a covered medical service. If the amount charged by the medical service provider is higher than the allowable amount, the insured person may have to pay the difference.

The amount the insurance company pays healthcare providers for medical services provided to the insured person.

Benefits which cover medical expenses involving a visit to the doctor or specialist in a private practice e.g. GP visits, physiotherapy, etc.

An additional person who is eligible for coverage under the same health insurance policy. This may be the insured person's husband, wife, co-habiting same or opposite-sex partner and any child who is named on the policy as one of the insured person's dependants.

These are conditions or treatments for which the insured person is not covered under their health insurance policy.

The maximum amount the insured person can claim on their policy for out-patient benefits.