Medical Insurance

If you rely on the National Health Service for your medical care, the waiting lists for non critical surgical intervention are uncomfortably long. This means that if your G.P. refers you to a specialist who recommends that you have an operation, providing your condition is not immediately life threatening, it is unlikely that any surgery will take place for some time and you may have to put up with the worry and discomfort for months or even years. If you do not wish to wait, you can opt to have your condition treated privately, but it is expensive - the cost of a hip replacement is around £7,000. However, if you invest in a policy of private medical insurance that waiting need not happen and there will be no extra expense.

Most private medical policies will cover the treatment of what are referred to as acute conditions. These are health problems that can be treated relatively quickly with an excellent chance of the successful complete recovery of the patient. Private medical insurance provides you with the option of choosing when and where the required treatment will take place and you can normally select your specialist. As a private patient, your hospital accommodation will generally include a private room with en suite facilities, a television and even internet connection. The standard of catering will be better and the whole experience will be more comfortable.
If you are taken ill suddenly and have to be treated in a non-private ward, many policies offer a cash payment for each night's stay up to a maximum limit.

As one may expect, there are a number of conditions that in general, medical insurance will not cover. The list is a relatively long one and anyone considering obtaining a policy of private medical insurance must be very clear on what things are and are not covered. Some of the more common exclusions include conditions caused by:

• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Smoking related illnesses
• Self harm
• HIV or Aids
• Proscribed hazardous pursuits
• War

It is very unlikely that cosmetic surgery, or ‘sex-change' operations will be covered and many policies do not insure for ‘uncomplicated pregnancy'. Any condition that existed before the policy was commenced will not be covered.
Policy holders need to be aware that premium costs for medical insurance normally increase with age. This obviously reflects the greater likelihood of medical treatment being more frequently necessary as one gets older.
There are a vast number of companies that offer private medical insurance policies. These range from a relatively low cost option, to a more expensive cover that will allow you to be ill in luxury. Take your time before deciding on which policy is right for you and your family's needs and when you choose your policy, read the conditions very carefully, and be scrupulously honest when answering the questions concerning your medical history, otherwise you may find that your insurance is declared invalid, just when you need it most.