Here in the UK, we’re proud of the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS provides the majority of healthcare to the nation – so why would anyone in the UK need private health insurance?
The reality is that in recent years the NHS has come under significant strain. Factors like a rise in population, lack of funding and the increase in life expectancy has resulted in longer waiting times, lack of choice and limited treatments.
The strain on the NHS means that many people are now seeking private health insurance to ensure they receive speedy treatment – bypassing lengthy NHS waiting times. Here at The Health Insurance Specialists (THIS), we want to help people better understand their options when it comes to health care. Below you’ll find a collection of benefits you could experience if you choose private health insurance.
Shorter Waiting Times
Turn on the news, and it’s likely to include a headline about NHS waiting times. One benefit of private health insurance is the ability to receive treatment as soon as you need it – you can even sometimes request a date!
Another problem people face on the NHS is planned operations getting cancelled due to emergency cases - sometimes operations are cancelled 2 or 3 times in a row, causing chaos in people’s lives. With private health insurance, you’ll be in control as to when and where treatment takes place.
Specialist Drugs & Treatments
Some specialist treatments and medicines are not available via the NHS – this is either because they are too expensive or because they are not approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in England and Wales (NICE) or the Scottish Medicines Consortium.
Private health insurance does not guarantee access to specific drugs but can help with some treatments not available on the NHS. If you’re looking for specific treatments or medicines, call our friendly team on 0808 10 18 999 to discuss options in full.
Access to Private Hospitals
One of the biggest benefits for private health insurance holders is access to private hospitals and private rooms. A private room will allow you to rest and recover on your own, without any intrusion. It also means you can have family visits without worrying about disturbing other patients.
With private health insurance, you can choose to stay in private hospitals or access NHS private patient units. But if you’d prefer – you can also opt to remain in an NHS hospital, some insurance providers offer payments or incentives if you choose to do this.
The Ability to Choose
Most NHS patients don’t have a choice when it comes to selecting a GP or treatment hospital; this is often based on the location of your home. With private medical insurance, you’ll have more choice – you’ll be able to choose where you’re treated and will have more control over who you are treated by.
Quick Access to a GP Service
Many private health insurance providers now offer an online or telephone GP service. This is often an app or phone service which gives you out of hours or 24/7 access to a GP. Modern technology now allows for private video consultations – so sometimes you won’t even have to leave your home!
This service is particularly useful for those with young children or for those who travel. Many health insurance providers even let policyholders use this service abroad.
Extra Time
The NHS is often under pressure to meet strict time deadlines and limits. This means patients often feel like they’ve not had enough time with their GP or physician. Private health insurance provides you with the ability to see the same medical professionals – when you need to.
With private treatment you’ll benefit from reduced waiting times, more time to talk to your doctor, less time in waiting rooms and you can even sometimes be assigned a case worker who will support you through your diagnosis and treatments.
Lower Costs
People often assume private health insurance is unaffordable, but the opposite is true. Here at The Health Insurance Specialists, we can provide you with a range of quotes, designed to suit your needs and budget. The benefits of private health care can often offset the cost of a policy – for example, the ability to book a treatment knowing it won’t be cancelled can help as you can avoid booking unnecessary days off from work.
Our expert team have the training and experience to help you find an option which is suited to your budget. Health Insurance cover can be as low as just £13.50 a month for some!
Finding the Right Private Health Insurance
Finding the right health insurance can be daunting – there are many options and providers to choose from. Here at THIS, we specialise in helping people find the right cover, for the right price. Just fill in our form, and our team will work with you to find the best cover options and quotes. Our service is free, and there is no obligation to sign-up to anything if you don’t want to.
We work with you to find the cover you require – whether that be individual cover or cover for your whole family. What we offer is a tailored service, we only recommend the plans and cover suitable to your healthcare needs.
Speak to our friendly team on 0808 10 18 999 and start your journey to finding the right private health insurance policy.
