Whilst we are extremely fortunate in the UK to have the excellent National Health Service (NHS) that provides free medical treatment and support to all regardless of their level of income, there are unfortunately some disadvantages. Sometimes, if you have a particularly pressing medical concern this can become a problem. This is where having health insurance cover can become very handy by supplementing what’s already available on the NHS. Paying for health insurance means you can take advantage of a quicker diagnosis, shorter waiting times than those on the NHS, with more prompt referrals to a consultant or an admission to a private hospital, access to better facilities, choose from a range of private facilities, choose more convenient times for treatments and appointments.
Most health insurance plans cover inpatient treatment, which is when you need a hospital bed. When it comes to outpatient treatment that require visiting external consultants this may be available through private medical insurance, but it tends to be an option available with more expensive plans that are on the market.
Depending on the exact details of your insurance policy you may also be able to receive access to specialist treatment or drugs otherwise unavailable on the NHS, due to where you live or due to being too expensive to provide to the general public. You may also be able covered for things such as surgical procedures, scans or radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat cancer.
However, it is important to check the small print of any private medical insurance policy prior to taking one out to make sure that it meets your requirements, as there are many different providers with many options to choose from. So, be sure to opt for the right cover for your needs.
