- Key benefits
- Faster access to diagnosis and treatment
- A choice of where and when your appointments are
- Access to a wider range of care, drugs and therapies
- A choice of specialists and consultants
- Private rooms and facilities
Health insurance and the NHS
Private Health Insurance is designed to work alongside the NHS, not to replace it. You may need to use NHS services for certain treatments and for things like A&E.
What is health insurance for
It is designed to help when the unexpected happens and cover you for acute conditions.
What is health insurance NOT for
It is not meant to cover you
for problems that you already have or are predictable.
Health insurance generally won’t cover:
- Conditions you already have
- Treatment for health problems you are already aware of
- Chronic conditions like arthritis or diabetes
Policy options
Health insurance has many levels of cover from basic to fully comprehensive. Deciding on which policy to choose comes down to your personal circumstances and budget.
Typical benefit options:
- Physiotherapy
- Consultation fees
- 24 hour GP service
- Diagnostic tests
- Surgery
- Mental health cover
- Cancer cover
Personal health insurance
Policies can cover individuals, couples or families.
The illnesses and treatments you choose to be covered for will affect the amount you pay. But it is possible to reduce costs by agreeing to a policy excess of, for example, £100 or £200.
We can help design a policy that meets your requirements and is within your budget.
Four reasons to offer it
- 1Helps with recruitment and retention as part of an employee benefits package
- 2Helps reduce absences and can speed up returns to work after illness or injury
- 3Helps to minimise the costs of sickness absence
- 4Premiums are tax deductible for employers
Hospital lists
Hospital lists Each provider offers a choice of hospitals and it’s important to think about where you would like to be treated.
Most providers offer a guided option which reduces the cost – in the event of a claim, you don’t get to choose the hospital but are guided to the most suitable location and specialist.
- You will need to disclose your full medical history.
- Further information may be required from your GP.
- Once underwritten the provider will confirm if any pre-existing conditions or any related or associated conditions are excluded.
Why some people choose full medical underwriting:
- To know exactly which conditions they are not covered for.
- They are happy to complete a medical declaration.
You do not need to fill in a medical declaration. Instead you start the policy on the understanding that if you have experienced symptoms or been treated for a medical condition in the last five years, you will only be covered for that condition:
a) after you have had the policy for two years in a row, and
b) you haven’t had any medical treatment, medical advice, drugs or special diets relating to that condition for two consecutive years.
Why some people choose moratorium underwriting:
- You do not want to complete a medical declaration.
- You are happy that, for at least the first two years, you will not have cover for any condition that you have had in the five years before you started your policy.
Cancer cover
Cover for cancer is an important factor for many people when considering health insurance. Whilst cover varies between insurers benefits can include;
Exclusions
Pre-existing medical conditions
Generally, pre-existing medical conditions are excluded from health insurance.
That’s any illness or condition that you had before the policy was taken out. This includes anything you’ve been tested for, treated for, or diagnosed with.
Some policies are even stricter and will exclude conditions you’ve had symptoms for but not been diagnosed with.
Examples of pre-existing medical conditions include heart problems, respiratory illnesses and diabetes.
Cosmetic surgery
Procedures to change your appearance are not generally covered by health insurance. This is because most policies are designed to cover medical conditions and cosmetic surgery is considered a lifestyle choice.
Most insurers will however, pay for reconstructive surgery for medical reasons. For example, to restore your appearance as a direct result of an accident or cancer surgery.
Other standard exclusions include:
- Accident and emergency treatment
- Care relating to pregnancy and childbirth
- Treatment needed as a result of training for or taking part in any professional/semi professional sport.