VHI Baby massage refund problems

barremic

I was wondering could anyone advise me, my policy changed at the end of January.

I dropped down, and my previous policy stated that I could claim back for the baby massage classes. So I contacted VHI in January before the policy changed and was told by two people that it didnt matter that i was changing policy, that i was covered for baby massage for the year of birth, my little one wont be one until june.

So I did the course, the date was February, they sent back saying i cannot claim it.

the lady i did the course with originally said if there was any problem with dates she would change them. now she wont change them.

but i feel under the policy and the advice of two people in VHI that i should be able to claim the money back. I had paid the deposit in January, but the class was delayed till Feb.

Im not sure what customer rights I have, or who I should contact.

all advice appreciated

bee06

The calls where the two people gave you the advice that you would be covered should be recorded so tell VHI the time and date of the calls so they can pull them and listen back on what you were advised. Once you can show you booked the class on the basis that you were told it would be covered by their staff you should have a strong argument.

Turbulent Bill

I've found VHI's maternity benefits to be poorly worded or just downright confusing. The benefits statement shows everything on a per-year basis, but the maternity benefits are actually per-birth. My wife's policy pays out €500 for hospital charges etc., and I queried on the phone whether this was per calendar year (we had maternity bills spread over last year and this) or per birth - was told it was the former. Submitted a 2012 claim only to be told it was per-birth, i.e., you can only claim once after the baby is born. Plan hasn't changed between the years.

OP, I'd certainly challenge VHI if you were told the classes were claimable, but don't be surprised if what you were told and the actual policy differ.