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In the UK, over 4 million people have private medical cover. Since 2015, there has been a rise in private health care as an increasing numbers of people are dissatisfied with longer waiting times and increased restrictions on NHS treatment. Health Insurance provides an alternative way of seeking medical care. By paying for a policy, you’ll enjoy shorter waiting times and have access to better facilities, as well as medications that aren’t available on the NHS.
Our team of researchers have reviewed and ranked 13 providers, presented in the table below. Pricing information correct as of 31st October 2018.
What Are The Benefits of Private Health Care?
In 2016, over 10% of the UK population was reported to have private health insurance, with the number continuing to rise year on year. While the NHS provides comprehensive medical treatment to anyone who needs it, free of charge, you could get faster medical treatment by taking out private health insurance. Private Health Insurance offers peace of mind, knowing that you are covered for the best available medical treatments if and when they become necessary. The right policy can provide a range of benefits that include:
- Giving you the option of being treated by your doctor of choice
- Skipping the NHS waiting lists and shorter waiting times for elective surgery
- Allows you more control over when and where you are treated
- Provides services not covered by the NHS such as dental, optical, acupuncture and chiropractic
Private hospitals can also make your stay more comfortable with better amenities, such as a TV and en-suite rooms. Faster access to health care can be invaluable if you’re self-employed or have a job where timing is an important factor.
Which Policy Is Right For Me?
Policies range from basic through to comprehensive and they typically cover any required in-patient treatment that you might need. They usually cover the cost of your hospital stay too. There are currently four types of Health Insurance:
- Individual Insurance – Individual health insurance enables you to bypass lengthy NHS waiting times and receive treatment quickly should you get ill or injured.
- Child Health Insurance – Child health insurance provides tailored cover for your children’s growing needs, offering peace of mind that their health care is protected.
- Family Health Insurance – Family health insurance provides cover for the whole family ensuring that treatment is received quickly should the need arise.
- Joint Health Insurance – Joint health insurance offers peace of mind that, should you or your partner require treatment, it will be received promptly and at a hospital of your choice.
What Is Typically Excluded From Health Insurance?
Chronic conditions are excluded as standard. In addition to this, visits to a GP, trips to A&E or injuries sustained from dangerous hobbies, such as skydiving, may also not be covered. Below is a list of the other most common exclusions:
- Drug abuse
- HIV/AIDS
- Normal pregnancy
- Gender reassignment (sex change)
- Mobility aids, such as wheelchairs
- Organ transplant
- Prescription drugs and dressings, after leaving hospital or as an outpatient
- Deliberately self-inflicted injuries
- Infertility
- Cosmetic treatment
- Experimental or unproven treatment or drugs
- Kidney dialysis
- Injuries due to acts of war
Why Compare Policies With Compare By Review?
Compare By Review are the first and only comparison site that exclusively ranks providers on customer experience and product quality. We understand finding the right policy is important to you, that’s why we analyse thousands of real customer experiences to provide a simple, impartial comparison of health insurers so you can purchase the right policy for you.
