|
|
Compare over 100
|
……. and lots more policies from all the major insurers
 |
Compare Health Insurance
|
Well done! You’re clearly thinking about joining the band of people who protect themselves and their family with private health insurance. With so many problems in the NHS, it’s no wonder "going private" is the chosen option for so many.
But comparing quotations for Health Insurance can be a bit of a puzzle because the cover varies so much between policies – and there are literally hundreds of policies to choose from. That means it really is impossible to compare quotes without understanding the precise cover provided by each policy.
That’s why you’ll need the help of a health insurance expert to highlight the important issues, compare prices and recommend policies which meet your requirements and provide the best value for money. Advice at this stage could save you lots of money and will ensure you get precisely the cover you need.
So, when you click to compare quotes, we’ll ask you to provide a few details and an independent health insurance adviser will phone you back very shortly. The advice service is totally free and without obligation.
More details
about our Comparison Service
We work alongside Insurancewide to ensure you receive expert and independent advice. Soon after you submit your details, one of Insurancewide's panel of specialised health brokers will phone you. Each panel member is dedicated to saving you money and providing you with tip top advice.
And the whole comparison service is totally free and without obligation.
The Financial Services Authority also requires us to provide you with details of how we are regulated and certain other regulatory information. If you wish to view our regulatory Disclosure Document - Click here
 |
What cover does
|
The most important point to appreciate is that in the UK, health insurance is not designed to totally replace the services provided by the National Health Service. Health insurance is designed to work alongside the NHS by covering you for the treatment of acute health problems. But no health insurance policy will cover you for accident and emergency situations – these are entirely the responsibility of the NHS.
Most insurance companies define an “acute health problem” as a disease, illness, or injury that is expected to react quickly to treatment (the treatment being aimed at full recovery or the restoration of the patient to the state of health they were in just before the onset of the acute condition).
This means that some illnesses and treatments will not be covered by your health insurance. This situation is common to all policies but the precise details do vary between policies. The following chart provides additional generalised information:
| Health treatment not usually included |
Health treatment sometimes included |
Health treatment usually included |
| Services from your own Doctor | Out-patient treatments. Consultations with Medical Specialists | In-patient testing |
| Accident and Emergency admissions & treatments | Cost of treatment incurred outside the UK | Day patient and in-patient surgery |
| Treatment for health conditions you had prior to buying your health insurance policy. | Out-patient diagnostic tests | Treatment for short term acute health conditions |
| Treatment for “chronic” illnesses. “Chronic” illnesses are long term illnesses which cannot be cured. | Some insurance policies will pay you if you take NHS treatment rather than making a claim on your policy. | Nursing plus hospital accommodation. |
| Please be aware that the following conditions and treatments will not usually be covered by your health insurance policy: Injuries resulting from dangerous hobbies & pursuits (including war injuries), self inflicted injuries, mobility aids, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, infertility, normal pregnancy, cosmetic surgery, gender realignment (sex changes!), preventative treatments, experimental treatments and drugs, kidney dialysis, organ transplants, out patient dressings and out patient drugs. For totally accurate information, always check your policy summary known as the “Key Facts”. This document will be provided by your Health Insurance Adviser. |
More information about
Private Health Insurance
A private health policy will cover the cost of private health care for treatable, impermanent, health problems. Basically, it lets you jump the queue for lesser conditions.
It is not a substitute for the NHS as private hospitals do not have accident and emergency departments. And it is not necessarily the case that you get better care - but you definitely get it quicker and where and when it suits you.
The cover
Private health insurance takes care of the cost of surgery, specialists, your stay and nursing bills in a private hospital, or in an NHS hospital on a private ward, X-rays and drugs. The facilities will be better, a private room, better food, usually with a television and a phone.
As already explained, the policy will not cover for treating any long-term, incurable, illnesses, like diabetes, multiple sclerosis or asthma or any previous health problems, so you cannot buy health insurance today for an operation that you need a few months down the line.
Age limits are sometimes applied by certain insurers while others take on new policyholders at any age. That said, the older you are, the dearer the insurance will be and sometimes as people reach older age - the time they particularly need medical services - they may find the insurance unaffordable.
The cost
The cost will depend on the number, sexes and ages of the policyholders, the level of cover required and the ancillary policy benefits. Obviously, as with most insurance, the more comprehensive the cover the higher the premium - and if you opt for treatment in the top hospitals this will also cost you more.
The policies generally come in three levels dependent mostly on which hospital you opt for, but you should also know that private health care premiums tend to rise faster than inflation.
If you need to watch cost you aught to consider a budget policy and this comes in to effect if the treatment that you are in need of is not available on the NHS within a certain time frame.
You can also reduce the cost of the premium by agreeing to pay a larger excess or if you agree to a more restricted choice of hospitals.
There are policies that will offer no-claims bonuses which can keep premiums down and encourages you not to make smaller claims which are the biggest percentage of claims made.
Try to persuade your employer to include it as a perk of your job. They should be able to negotiate a good deal with discount buying for all the staff and keeping administration to a minimum.
Approximately 50 per cent of those that have private health insurance, have it as an employment perk. If you earn above a specific amount each year, the private health insurance premiums paid by your employer will be taxed as income. If appropriate, check this out with your adviser.
When you retire, if your health insurance has been part of your employment package you will have start your own policy - but you should qualify for a discount. (Over 60’s can no longer obtain tax relief on private health premiums.)
Your medical history
Your application form will almost certainly require you to disclose your medical history. Please do not be economical with the truth! Disclose everything.
Depending what you disclose, some insurers will write to your doctor for further information about your medical history. So don’t withhold any information otherwise your cover could be invalidated.
Any health conditions that you had prior to starting your policy (these are called “pre-existing conditions”) will not normally be covered. This means that if you want private treatment for any pre-existing condition, you will have to pay for them yourself. However, some insurers have a different approach to your medical history. Some will merely say that cover will exclude any condition you have had in the previous five years or anything related to conditions you have had in the last five years.
Once you have become free of any symptoms, treatment, tests or medication, for a specific condition you may be able to get insured for it once your policy has been in place for a certain time. Please refer to your policy documents or discuss this with your health insurance adviser. But please be aware that any illness that is incurable or recurring symptoms will never be insurable.
Claims
Once your GP decides that you need some sort of treatment he/she will arrange for you to see a consultant. You tell the consultant that you have health insurance and obtain a quote for the treatment. You will then need to talk to your insurer to confirm that they will meet the costs. Do not go ahead with any treatment until your insurer has confirmed that the treatment is covered.
Most policies will settle any payments directly with the hospital meaning you don’t have to get involved with that aspect.
It is essential to choose the right health insurance plan. To find that plan, start by getting free Health Insurance Quotes at InsureLane.
This web site is managed by Alliance Internet Ltd. Cheap life Insurance
For more information about Alliance Internet Click Here
Associated sites on Debt Management Plans and remortgages