What Kind of Private Health Insurance Do You Need?
As listed on 'The Types of Private Health Insurance' page, there are a number of general types of insurance on offer from a number of different insurance providers. This means that you should take the time to choose carefully the insurance that will suit you and your circumstances. Here is a quick guide to choosing the best for you.
Why Are You Choosing Private Health Insurance?
Perhaps the first question you should ask yourself is why you are choosing to get private health cover, as this will give you a head start in choosing the best insurance policy. Some of the reasons for taking out private health insurance include:
- To avoid waiting lists,
- To ensure you will receive prompt treatment when you or your family falls ill,
- To choose where you are treated,
- To choose when you are treated.
Some insurance policies will cover different hospitals, some will only include hospital stays, where others will include more comprehensive treatment options. Perhaps your budget is a more limiting factor than the statements above, in which case you will need to opt for a less comprehensive plan.
Understanding the Cover
When it comes time to compare the different types of private insurance cover available, it's important to understand just what the cover entails.
Moratorium Cover: This kind of health insurance cover means that you will not have to provide details of your medical history, you will then be given a quote and this usually excludes all pre-existing medical conditions, without listing them separately.
Full Medical History Underwriting: This means that you'll have to provide details of your medical history, and the insurance provider may also contact your GP for more information. You will be told specific conditions that may be excluded.
Budget Insurance
This is the cheapest form of private medical insurance available, and will not cover aspects of treatment such as consultancy fees, outpatient treatments and others. It is useful for those who can afford these fees from their savings, and just want to be covered against expensive treatments including operations and a hospital stay.
Standard Insurance
This will usually cover inpatient treatment as well as a variety of outpatient treatments, and there may be a limit on certain fees such as costs of scans and consultancy. It may also include treatments such as homeopathy and chiropractic, according to each individual insurance provider.
Comprehensive Insurance
This will provide the most cover in terms of what treatment is involved, and all kinds of nursing costs, and outpatient treatments will be covered. In many cases it will also cover extra costs during a hospital stay, including telephone calls. This insurance is good for those who do not have the savings to meet treatment costs from their savings, and want to make sure that they can still have access to the specific hospitals and appointment times they need when they or their family fall ill.