A new health cash-back plan that covers everyday costs for those who do not have private health insurance is being launched today in the Irish marketplace.
VIGO Health offers access to over 30 everyday health services under one plan for less than €10 a week on one digital platform.
Co-founded by health industry professionals Ruth Bailey and Stephen Loughman, VIGO Health said it is the first and only service in Ireland that offers both unlimited, on-demand virtual Nurse Chat and a 24/7 'Ask a Doctor' service with no appointment necessary.
VIGO Health offers unlimited access to virtual GPs and nurses, while visits and prescriptions are covered for up to €200 a year.
Aimed mainly at those aged under 40 who do not have hospital insurance, it also offers up to 10 virtual appointments with physio and mental health professionals which are fully covered, as well as full cover for MRI and CT scans.
Full cover for the first two visits to a Minor Injury Clinic is covered as well as up to €300 a year for blood tests and x-rays and up to €500 a year for consultant visits.
Contributions are also made towards visits to see a dentist, optician, nutritionist, acupuncturist, chiropractor, massage therapist and reflexologist.
Irish Life Health underwrites the cash benefits of the VIGO cash plan and is an investor in VIGO Health.
Ruth Bailey, CEO of VIGO Health, said the business concept is based on in-depth research of their target audience to understand their everyday healthcare needs.
"Currently, there is no product offering in the Irish marketplace that offers health connections via one platform, bringing together fast access to on-demand health advice, quality information, swift access to diagnostics, and proactive health management, as well as cover for everyday health costs without the full cost associated with hospital health insurance," Ms Bailey said.
"We want to address this very obvious gap in the Irish healthcare market for fast access to everyday physical and mental health and wellbeing services via one digital platform, while also removing unfair financial barriers to these services," she said.
"Our aim is to make healthcare simple, and with the support of leading industry partners, we will be using the opportunity to proactively encourage customers to continually maintain their health and wellbeing so they can continue to live their best life," she added.
