Health insurance, or private medical insurance, is an insurance policy that will cover the cost of private healthcare. This includes everything from the diagnosis through to the treatment. Whilst you will pay monthly costs, the insurance will cover all, or some of the cost, of treatments for acute conditions that develop after you have started your health insurance policy plan.
There are many reasons to take out private health insurance. The most popular reasons are due to the considerably shorter waiting times compared to those of the NHS. Many providers offer access to GP appointments through Digital GP apps. This will give you faster access to medical support, as well as a swifter referral to any further private treatment. In addition to this, some health insurance providers will also offer direct access to physiotherapists or mental health specialists without the need to wait for a GP referral. This will also get you the treatment and support you need quicker.
Most health insurance policies will include cover for in-patient and day-patient treatment in private hospitals. For some of the more comprehensive health insurance policies, they will often provide additional benefits such as out-patient treatment. These include scans, tests, x-rays and hospital appointments where you have not been admitted.
Knowing Who to Choose
Before you begin the search for health insurance, the best place to start is by knowing exactly what it is you want from the policy. With any insurance, you have to select the right cover that depends solely on your circumstances.
When looking, consider any illnesses or treatments that you want to cover. Do you want a policy that has coverage for specific treatments such as physiotherapy? Another thing to keep in mind is that most health insurance providers will not cover any pre-existing conditions. For those with a -existing condition, you will have to consider whether a policy covers you for everything you need.
In addition to these, you will ultimately want to choose the health insurance that covers all of your needs. For those looking for an all-around cover, then a comprehensive policy might be the one for you. Whereas those who want the lowest costing option, some companies offer policies where only the treatment is covered. This one is ideal for those happy to be diagnosed by the NHS, or to self-pay.
It is important to find the right health insurance for you. Thanks to firms like Switch Health, this is something that can easily be achieved. Their unique service compares the policies of various health insurance providers, including ones that you would not have found when comparing options. They will bring you the best health insurance policies available and guide you through everything you need to know about each one and what is included – helping you to make an informed decision. Investing in services such as these to find the best health insurance, can help you to save time and avoid picking a policy that will not be beneficial to you or your needs.
Can Extend the Cover to Others
Depending on the provider, It is possible to add your partner, providing that you both live at the same address, or dependents onto your policy at any time. The cost of investing in a couple’s health insurance or family health insurance will depend on numerous factors. These include people’s ages, their health, where they live and how much excess you decide to pay. There is also the option of choosing to pay for your private healthcare in monthly instalments or annually. When comparing options, see if the health insurance provider you are looking at will extend your policy to cover other family members or partners in the future.
Benefits of Health Insurance
Whilst knowing about health insurance and the areas it covers, it is also helpful to know exactly how it can be beneficial. The most common reason why many choose to go with private health care is that it reduces the waiting times and bypasses the NHS waiting list. If your wait time exceeds six weeks, you can use your insurance to reduce the time you would spend waiting to receive NHS treatment. These are a few other reasons:
- There are certain specialist treatments and drugs that are not available on the NHS due to being too expensive. With private health insurance, you can have access to these treatments and drugs, as long as they have been deemed appropriate by your specialist.
- Having a private room during a stay at the hospital. Having health insurance will mean you are more likely to have a private room, so you do not need to worry about being disturbed by other patients, or your visitors disturbing other patients during their visit.
There are various factors to consider when selecting health care insurance. From knowing what you want to be covered, how much you are willing to pay to which insurance provider you want to choose. By taking in the information, you should be able to make a more informed decision about whether investing in health insurance is right for you. After understanding what health insurance is and what the benefits are from investing in it, you can decide whether or not health insurance is the best route for you.
