If you have private health insurance, you do not need to wait months to be treated in the NHS. You pay a monthly or annual premium in exchange for covering the cost of private medical care for curable short-term illnesses or injuries, otherwise known as acute conditions.
The long list of diseases and conditions does not apply to private medical insurance, including drug abuse, self-infected injuries, pregnancy, cosmetic surgery and organ transplantation. For a complete list of exceptions, see the listing of the main functions of the insurer. Accident and emergency treatment does not cover private health insurance, as private hospitals are not able to cope with this.
Cost accounting
Private health insurance can be extremely expensive, and you should be prepared to increase the premium each year, usually above the rate of general inflation. The cost is the result of an increase in the number of people applying for private medical treatment and increasingly complex and expensive procedures. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), hip replacement - a common procedure - can cost around £ 7,000, for example.
The number of claims you make does not affect your premium if your cover does not include a no-claim discount. However, your promotions will increase as you get older because you are more likely to apply. According to ABI, a 45-year-old man must pay a 25 percent premium above 35 years of age. A 65-year-old man would pay more than double the premium to a 45-year-old child.
Your promotions depend on your coverage level: limited policies cost less than full. Most schemes cover inpatient and day care, but not all offer outpatient treatment. Think how important this is for you when choosing a policy.
Announcement of your medical history
The most common type of policy requires you to fill out a form with detailed information about your medical history. Your doctor can be contacted for more information and you will not be covered by pre-existing conditions.
An alternative to declaring your medical history is the metaphor option offered by a number of insurers. You do not need to fill out a medical history form, but if within two years after the start of the policy, treatment of a pre-existing condition is required (something that you have suffered for the last five years), expenses are not covered.
You are not allowed to declare any medical conditions for which you have suffered over the past five years unless you choose a moratorium. Do not be tempted to hide this information, as the insurer may refuse to pay if you file a lawsuit.
