Health Insurance
We in the United Kingdom are very lucky to have the National Health Service. It is one of the best in the world, and we can use it without having to pay for every visit.
However, it is currently under a huge amount of pressure, with more patients than it can comfortably cope with. This means, in many cases, that people have to wait unacceptably long periods of time before treatment. Hospital appointments can be months, or even years, from now, which means people have to wait and put up with worry, pain and ill health for longer than they would wish. In a severe case, you might feel that it is imperative to receive treatment immediately, which means you have to pay for it yourself - having private medical insurance will remove this financial risk.
Another major advantage is, of course, that the sooner you are treated, the better are your chances of making a full recovery. A condition which deteriorates whilst you are on an NHS waiting list is harder to treat by the time you get into hospital than it was when you were put onto the waiting list.
Private health insurance gives you an alternative to long waiting lists. It means you can have treatment, recover, and be back to full health in a much quicker time than you would if you had to go through the NHS.
You can take out an individual health insurance policy, or one which also covers your family. Anyone can take out a policy, but your premiums will be higher the older you are.
Private health insurance provides you with the following benefits:
- peace of mind
- minimal waiting time
- choice of hospitals
- convenience - you can choose a time for treatment which suits you
- flexibility - visitors can come to see you at any time
- privacy - you can have the luxury of a private room, and don't have to suffer the indignity of being on a ward with lots of other people.
There are four types of health insurance, of which you may need one or a combination in order to make sure you have all the cover you need.
Individual / family medical coverage: for people who don't receive it from their employer.
Medical supplement insurance: for elderly people.
Hospital income insurance: to be taken out in addition to your main health insurance policy, to provide a set daily benefit amount for unforeseen expenditures due to an extended stay in hospital.
Disability insurance: to provide daily living expenses should you become mentally or physically disabled through an accident or illness.
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