Many people are very happy with the NHS for emergency treatment - break a leg or have a heart attack and you know you’ll be seen straight away. Where the NHS can fall down is in the treatment of less acute but still lifestyle affecting conditions. Waiting times can be a real issue and if you’re worried about the delay, then potentially you’re making the situation worse.
Another concern is the condition and cleanliness of NHS facilities - aging buildings and equipment can be very difficult to keep in a tip-top state. With private care, while you can opt for a stay in an NHS hospital, many people prefer to use a private facility such as a BUPA hospital.
Boiling it down, there are 5 major benefits for taking out Private Medical Insurance:
- peace of mind - you have access to a 24 hour GP helpline where you’ll speak to a real doctor
- High quality of care - access to the best specialists
- Choice of where you’re treated and the specialist you want
- Convenience of when you’re seen and treated - you remain in control
- Speed of getting specialist advice - reduces the worry of delays and cancellations of treatment
While the benefits are clear to most people, there is also a concern that this type of cover is expensive and that all conditions are not covered. As in all insurances, the more comprehensive the cover, the higher the financial commitment but you can tailor most plans to cover your personal requirements. This can make the monthly cost more affordable while still giving you the cover you want and need.
Let’s look at some example costs:
- male non-smoker aged 35 - from £32.89 per month
- female non-smoker aged 45 - from 41.91 per month
The above costs are for indication purposes only; if you want specific details for your requirements, please contact me for an illustration.
The above costs can be decreased if you take regular exercise and with some providers, you can benefit from subsidised gym membership. So not only do you improve your health and fitness, you pay less to do so!
If you have a pre-existing condition, then generally this will not be covered. However, in certain circumstances, if it has not recurred in at least the past 2 years, it can then be included for future coverage. The best way to find out is to make an application and see what the insurer says.
Want to find out more? Why not get in contact and we can start looking at what provider and product will be best suited to your own needs. Call now on 0845 0291962 or mail at michael@michaelknightmortgages.com