In short
- Cover for ADHD depends on your specific plan, not just your insurer.
- Plans most often contribute towards out-patient consultant fees (such as a psychiatrist) and some mental health or therapy sessions.
- Always check your table of benefits, or ask your insurer, before you book.
What health insurance might cover
Irish health insurance plans vary widely. For adult ADHD, the benefits worth looking for are:
- Out-patient consultant fees: some plans pay part of the cost of visits to a consultant psychiatrist, often after an excess
- Mental health or psychology benefits: a set amount per session for a number of sessions with a psychologist or therapist
- Day to day or wellbeing benefits: some plans pay a fixed amount per visit, up to a yearly limit
- Add-ons: some insurers offer optional extras with more mental health cover
A diagnostic assessment by a psychologist may or may not be covered. Insurers often have conditions, such as the clinician being registered with a particular body or recognised by the insurer, or a GP referral.
How to check your cover
- Find your plan name on your policy documents or app
- Open the table of benefits for that plan
- Search for words like psychology, mental health, consultant, out-patient and ADHD
- Note the amount paid per visit, the number of visits, and any excess
- If unsure, call your insurer and ask: “Does my plan contribute to an adult ADHD assessment by a PSI registered psychologist, and to out-patient consultant psychiatrist visits?”
Keep all your receipts. ADHD Point provides a receipt for every appointment.
VHI
VHI offers a wide range of plans. Depending on your plan, you may get a contribution towards out-patient consultant visits and towards mental health or counselling sessions. Benefits, limits and excesses differ between plans, so check your own table of benefits or contact VHI directly.
How to claim: log in to MyVhi and use Snap and Send to upload a photo of your receipts, or post the everyday medical claims form with your receipts.
Laya Healthcare
Laya Healthcare plans can include mental health and out-patient benefits, and some plans include extra wellbeing supports. As with other insurers, what you can claim depends on your plan and its limits. Check your table of benefits or ask Laya before booking.
How to claim: use the Laya app or Member Area and tap Submit a Claim, then add a photo of your receipt. You can also post an out-patient claim form.
Irish Life Health
Irish Life Health has a range of plans with different out-patient and mental health benefits. It also offers optional add-ons. For example, at the time of writing its Mind Extra add-on lists a benefit for CBT for ADHD of €40 per visit for up to 8 visits. Check the current details and whether the add-on is available on your plan.
How to claim: claim everyday expenses such as consultant visits online through your Irish Life Health account.
Level Health
Level Health is one of the newer insurers in Ireland. Its plans include out-patient and mental health related benefits that vary by plan. Check your plan documents or contact Level Health to confirm what applies to ADHD assessment, psychiatry and therapy.
How to claim: log in to your Level Health account, choose Make a Claim on your dashboard and upload a photo of your receipt.
Logos are trademarks of their owners and are shown only to identify each insurer. ADHD Point Clinic is not affiliated with or endorsed by these insurers. Claim buttons open the insurer’s own website.
If your insurer does not cover it
- You can claim tax relief at 20% on qualifying medical expenses that your insurer does not pay
- Prescribed medicines are capped at €80 a month per household under the Drugs Payment Scheme
- At ADHD Point, you can spread the cost of your assessment over 3 payments with Klarna
Insurance benefits change often. This guide is general information and is not a statement of any insurer’s current cover. Please confirm with your insurer.
Sources: VHI; Laya Healthcare; Irish Life Health; Level Health; Health Insurance Authority.
This guide is general information to help you understand your options. It is not medical, legal or financial advice. Rules and benefits can change, so please check with the organisation concerned. If you are in crisis, call 112 or 999, or contact Samaritans free on 116 123.