Why buy health insurance?
Health insurance can complement the services of the NHS by providing cover for the cost of prompt access to private treatment, and access to cancer drugs and services not always available on the NHS.
Timely access to healthcare:
• Prompt referral to a consultant
• Quick admission to a private hospital
• Treatment at a time to suit you
Choice of healthcare:
• Direct care by a consultant
• Advanced treatment options, such as access to some cancer drugs that are not available on the NHS
High-quality private clinic and hospital accommodation:
• Privacy of an en-suite room
• Home amenities, such as TV
• Comfort and cleanliness
Health insurance is designed to cover the cost of private medical treatment for 'acute conditions' which start after your policy begins. An acute condition is a disease, illness or injury that is likely to respond quickly to the treatment that aims to return you to the state of health you were in immediately before suffering the disease, illness or injury, or which leads to your full recovery.
Did you know?
Your insurer will typically not cover ‘chronic conditions’. These are diseases, illnesses or injuries that have one or more of the following characteristics: needs long-term monitoring, control or relief of symptoms, requires rehabilitation, continues indefinitely, and has no known cure or is likely to come back.
You will normally not be covered for any illnesses you are currently suffering from, or have already had. However, you may be able to get cover for some pre-existing medical conditions by paying a supplementary premium, or if you meet certain criteria.