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Private Healthcare
What is Private Health Care Insurance?
Basically it is an insurance policy taken out to cover
the cost of any private medical care required if the person or
persons insured become ill or are injured.
As the NHS has struggled to keep waiting periods for
treatment down, more and more people are turning to Private Health
Care Insurance to ensure they receive prompt treatment.
Private Health Care Insurance was designed to
compliment and not to replace the NHS. For example in most cases
access to accident and emergency units are not available privately
and here the NHS is required. top
Why Private Health Care?
Many people now take out Private Health Care
Insurance, the main reasons being: -
Promptness of the treatment. People want to know that
if they become ill or are injured in an accident that they will
receive the best available treatment quickly.
Peace of Mind. People want to have the peace of mind
knowing that if a problem occurs, they have the insurance to cover
the cost of the treatment required.
Convenience. People want the choice to select the time
and if possible the place of their treatment if required.top
Comfort. People require a high standard of comfort
particularly if a hospital stay is required. They want private rooms
with en-suite bathrooms, T.V, video etc., and not what the NHS
normally provides.
Not Too Expensive. Private health care is normally not
too expensive for the basic cover and has now become increasingly
affordable for everyday people.
Company Schemes. Many companies provide Private Health
Care Insurance for their employees, usually to ensure that they
receive the best treatment quickly and therefore hopefully return to
work as soon as possible.
Remember, if you are covered by a Company Private
Health Care Policy, although the company will normally pay the
premiums for the policy the employee will be taxed on the policy as
it is deemed to be a benefit.top
What is Normally Covered?
Cover is directly related to cost. Here is a list of
what normally is and also a list of what normally isn't covered.
Normally Covered:
Specialist consultations; tests; diagnostic
procedures; surgery; surgeons', anaesthetists' and physicians' fees;
physiotherapy; hospital accommodation; radiotherapy; chemotherapy and
scanning (including magnetic resonance imaging "MRI Scan");
nursing at home; ambulance travel and overseas travel.
Remember, this is just a rough guide and it is
extremely important to check the policy you decide on thoroughly to
see what they cover you for.top
What is Not Normally Covered?
Existing medical conditions (before taking out cover),
normal maternity, HIV/AIDS, cosmetic surgery, accident and emergency,
drug abuse, self-inflicted injuries, private GP services, injuries
due to the participation in what are classed as dangerous pursuits
(rock climbing, skiing, polo, hang gliding etc.,) dentistry and war risks.
Remember, this is just a rough guide and it is
important to check your policy. Also many of the conditions not
normally covered can be specifically covered at an additional cost.
What is the Cost?
The cost of your private health care insurance depends
on your age, sex and the extent of cover required. As your age
increases so does in most cases the cost of your premium, although
there are some policies now that offer a fixed premium for a number
of years.top
Low Cost
Low cost cover will obviously have limitations on the
cover offered. Paying an excess for example on the first £100,
£150 or £200 means for each claim, you pay the agreed
amount before being paid out which keeps the cost lower.
Your policy can be bound by various conditions that
will also keep the cost down. For example you may only receive
private treatment if that treatment is not available on the NHS
within say 6-12 weeks. You can receive a lower grade hospital room or
even agree to pay half of the costs yourself, all done to keep costs low.
Remember it is important to check the policy
thoroughly to see what is covered. If you have any doubts you should
call the insurance company and check with them.top
Higher Cost Cover
Obviously the more extensive cover you require the
higher the premium in most cases. It is possible to include specific
requirements in your policy that are not normally covered but you
will have to pay for that with higher premiums.
Existing Health Details
Most policies will expect you to give written details
of your recent health history (probably the last 5 years). Remember,
normally any existing conditions will not be covered.
It is also important to remember that these
declarations must be true. Any breach of these conditions can result
in non-payment of the claim.
If you have any doubts, misunderstanding, or questions
ask your insurance company first.top
Making a Claim
Check your insurer's guide very carefully when making
a claim but here is how the system normally works.
*Go to your GP who will, if he thinks necessary, refer
you to a specialist (his referral letter can cost a few pounds which
is not covered by most policies)
*Ring your insurer to check that your condition is
covered by your policy
*If you then need treatment it can be arranged as soon
as possible or when convenient
*Lastly, any after care can be arranged
Remember, if you have any doubts speak to your
insurer, never take it for granted that all the cover required is provided.top
Once your treatment is complete most insurance
companies will settle hospital and specialist bills directly. If the
bills are sent to you then you would normally just forward them on to
your insurance company.
Buying Private Health Care Insurance
Private Health Care Insurance is offered by a large
number of insurance companies, available directly or through your
Bank or Building Society. Premiums are normally reviewed annually
although some policies offer a fixed premium for a certain period of
time. Policies are sold with a "cooling off" period usually
between 2-4 weeks that enable the buyer of the policy to again read
through the terms and make sure they are happy. If not, the policy
can be terminated within this period with no cost.
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