Private Medical Insurance – A Quick Guide

The reason that people take out Private Medical Insurance is to get treated quickly for short-term curable illnesses and medical conditions to avoid lengthy NHS waiting lists where this is the case or to get access to drugs that may not be available on the NHS. This treatment can be in a private hospital, private ward within an NHS hospital or treatment centre.

It is not an alternative to the NHS it really runs in parallel and doesn't necessarily guarantee a better standard of treatment. What it does, is give you a choice, the choice of where and how you are treated. ??To some people this is a really valuable benefit.

What is normally covered under Private Medical Insurance Policy?

Firstly Private Medical Insurance is not a replacement for Accident and Emergency (A&E) treatment. This is performed by the NHS and its purpose is to get the patient into a stable condition. Nor does it cover long term incurable conditions, such as diabetes and asthma. Certain specific illnesses and conditions will also be excluded such as, drug/alcohol addiction, HIV/AIDS, infertility and cosmetic surgery.