Services & Cover
Purchasing private health insurance entitles you to certain benefits; you will typically be entitled to prompt treatment, and comforts such as a private en-suite hospital room. Private health insurance is not usually intended to replace the NHS: rather it is intended as a complement to the public service, which entitles policyholders to a range of advantages if they become ill. A basic private health insurance will usually cover:
- In Hospital - hospital charges e.g. for accommodation, physiotherapy, tests, drugs, dressings, medical practitioner fees
- Outpatient - physiotherapy, tests, medical practitioner fees
- Cancer Treatment - physiotherapy, tests, drugs, chemotherapy, medical practitioner fees
- Minor Surgery
It is however possible to purchase a more comprehensive policy, which covers:
- In Patient Care - hospital charges e.g. for accommodation, theatre use, intensive care, superior room e.g. private and en-suite, physiotherapy, tests, drugs, dressings, prosthetics, medical practitioner fees, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, psychiatric care
- Out Patient Care - specialist fees, physiotherapy, tests, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, psychiatric care, complementary medicine
- Extras - minor surgery, a private ambulance, nursing care at home, hospital charges for parent accommodation if a young child is receiving care and the parent wishes to stay overnight
The more that your private health insurance covers, the more expensive it will be. Basic policies are available for as little as twelve pounds a month, but more comprehensive policies typically cost more than forty pounds a month. For more details, see Private Insurance Costs.
If you become unwell, you will first need to visit your GP. They can advise on the best course of action; if you need to see a specialist you can contact your health insurer and request a claims form so that you can receive private care free of charge. Every health insurance policy will have certain exceptions, such as pre-existing conditions and incurable conditions: for details see Exclusions. For details of how to claim for the care you need, see Making a Claim.
