Understanding the cover

To make sure that you understand what you are covered for and the limits that will apply if you make a claim, read the policy terms and conditions. If you have any questions, you should contact the insurer who can talk you through the cover available to you. 

When choosing health insurance, you might want to know:

• Are there monetary limits on the policy 

– how much of the cost of a treatment, or course of treatments, would you be covered for? 

• How does an excess work 

– will it be applied per claim or per policy year? 

• What cover is there for cancer 

– what treatments are covered and for which stages of the disease?

There can be limits on cover for cancer drug treatments which you may want to ask the insurer about. A drug treatment that your insurer has covered might not be available on the NHS when your insurance cover ends. Your insurer will contact you as you approach the end of cover about the options available to you so you can discuss it with your specialist. 

 
These options could include: 

• Return to the NHS and receive the treatment there, if available 

• Return to the NHS and receive alternative treatment 

• Pay for the treatment privately on a self-pay basis