Private Medical Insurance Explained

Private health insurance, also known as private medical insurance or PMI, is designed to provide swift access to medical services, supplementing the care available through the NHS. By paying a monthly premium, you gain access to private healthcare facilities that often feature shorter waiting lists compared to their NHS counterparts. This ensures quicker consultations, faster diagnostics, and timely surgeries.

Private health insurance covers a wide range of treatments, but no two policies will be exactly the same. However, you can expect many health insurance policies to include:

• Inpatient treatments: These are treatments that require a hospital stay and are commonly covered under most private health insurance plans.
• Surgical procedures: Operations necessary for treatment are usually included, whether they require an overnight stay or can be done in a day surgery.
• Consultations with specialists: If you need to see a specialist, private health insurance often covers the cost of these appointments.

It is important to review your policy details as outpatient services and treatments for pre-existing conditions might not be covered or could have specific limitations. Some additional extras that can sometimes be added to private health insurance policies include:

• Health Checks: Preventative care is crucial, and many private health insurance policies include annual health checks. These help detect potential health issues early, facilitating timely and effective treatment.
• Mental Health Cover: More insurers are offering cover for mental health services, including therapy and counselling sessions, as well as inpatient mental health care, supporting both emotional and psychological wellbeing.
• Alternative Therapies: Cover may extend to alternative or complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, and homoeopathy, which are recognised for their benefits in managing various health conditions.
• Access to Helplines: Many policies provide 24/7 access to medical helplines, offering immediate advice from healthcare professionals, which can guide you to the appropriate care or provide quick prescriptions.

While you can access healthcare on the NHS for free, there are some benefits to taking out a health insurance policy, such as:

• Reduced waiting times: One of the primary benefits of private health insurance is significantly reduced waiting times for treatment, which is especially valuable for urgent medical conditions.
• Choice of doctors and facilities: You can choose your preferred doctors and healthcare facilities, which allows for personalised care tailored to your preferences.
• Comfort during hospital stays: Most private health insurance plans offer the comfort of a private room, often with an en suite bathroom, providing a more comfortable and private environment for recovery.

When choosing health insurance, you'll need to think about a few different factors to make sure you're getting a plan that suits your needs. If you're new to private medical care, pay attention to the following before taking out a policy:

Excess

Most health insurance policies include an excess fee, which is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurer covers the remaining costs. Choosing a higher excess can lower your monthly premiums, but this also means you'll pay more upfront for treatment when you make a claim. Consider your financial situation and how much you can afford to pay in the event of a medical need. This balance is crucial for making your insurance both affordable and practical.

Cover Limits and Benefits

Insurance plans vary in what they cover. Some might offer comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment, while others limit coverage to inpatient treatments only. If a plan covers only hospital admissions, you might not receive financial support for outpatient services such as follow-up consultations or ongoing therapies. Ensure that you understand the specific benefits and limitations of each plan, so you can choose one that best meets your healthcare needs.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Be aware of the policy regarding pre-existing conditions. Many private health insurance plans do not cover treatment for ailments you had before obtaining insurance until a specified waiting period has passed. Moreover, some may never cover certain chronic conditions. It's essential to disclose all existing health issues during the application process to ensure coverage and avoid disputes over claims.

The cost of private medical insurance can vary widely based on several factors, making it important to understand what influences premiums and how you might manage those costs effectively. Here's a breakdown of what determines the cost of private health insurance:

Factors Influencing the Cost of Private Medical Insurance

1. Age: Generally, the older you are, the more you will pay for private medical insurance. This is because older individuals are statistically more likely to need medical treatment.
2. Health History: If you have pre-existing conditions or a history of medical issues, insurers may consider you a higher risk, which could increase your premiums.
3. Level of Cover: The extent of coverage you choose also affects your premiums. Comprehensive plans that cover a wide range of medical treatments, including outpatient services and specialist consultations, will cost more than basic plans covering only inpatient treatments.
4. Lifestyle Choices: Factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and high BMI (body mass index) can increase your risk profile and consequently your insurance costs.
5. Location: Costs can also vary by location, with premiums typically higher in areas where private medical treatment costs are more expensive.
6. Excess: The amount of excess you agree to pay affects your premium. A higher excess usually results in lower monthly premiums, but it means more out-of-pocket expenses when you claim.

With most forms of private medical insurance policy, the amount that you pay will go up as the years go by and you get older. However, this is not purely because you are ageing, as many people wrongly believe. Instead, it comes about as a result of general inflation and also due to the increasing costs of the methods used to diagnose the conditions that you may have. These increased overheads are then, unfortunately, passed onto the policyholder in the form of more costly premiums.