Health Insurance UK: Tips to You Help Choose a UK Provider
Are you looking for UK health insurance? If so, there are certainly a wealth of providers from which to choose, but with all these providers, how can you be sure which one to choose, and perhaps more importantly, which one will provide the cover you require at the best price for your needs?
Whilst many UK residents rely on the NHS for all their medical treatment, in some cases this can cause problems, mainly due to long waiting lists which can lead to patients and their families suffering for longer than necessary.
If an employed person becomes to ill to work whilst waiting for treatment they may find they have to rely on basic state sickness payments or perhaps, if they are fortunate, their company may have provided some sort of additional cover besides the state sickness benefit payments.
However, with private health insurance you can protect yourself from some of the hardships by seeing a specialist sooner and getting back to work more quickly. In some cases you may also be able to claim a lump sum to help towards treatment costs, or if you have opted to see a specialist quickly but to receive any subsequent treatment on the NHS, you may be able to claim the money you would have spent on private treatment and put this towards your living expenses whilst you wait for your treatment.
The following guidelines will help you come to a decision about which UK health insurance company is the best for you.
- Consider carefully the amount of UK health insurance cover you need and what you want to be covered for.
- Stick to a realistic budget and decide whether you want to pay monthly by direct debit or the whole amount upfront. Some UK health insurance providers offer discounts depending on which method you choose.
- Read all insurance policies carefully, taking into account any particular terms and conditions.
- Find out if insurance cover will be provided for pre-exisitng health problems; if this is not the case, ask if there an option to pay more for extra cover.
- Pre-existing conditions may require a symptom-free period before cover can be offered, so ensure you ask about this if it is important to you.
- Ask your family and friends for personal recommendations and be sure to find out if a particular insurer paid out if and when the need arose. Also check if there were any problems encountered during a claim and if the the insurer responded quickly and efficiently or if they offered assistance if required.
- Make use of online insurance comparison sites to find competitive policy rates using one of the many independent insurance comparison websites or, if possible, try to make time to speak to an independent financial adviser before proceeding with any health insurance policies. Independent insurance advisers may sometimes be able to offer insurance plans that are not readily available to the general public; this may mean you'll get a more suitable policy for you and your family.
When choosing the right healthcare plan you need to take your time making sure you get adequate cover. Don't always assume that the cheaper or more expensive policies are best. You may be paying too little and not getting enough cover, or paying too much for cover that is not necessary.
Keep in mind that many insurers tie you into your policy for a specific period of time and if you decided to cancel your insurance after the legal cooling off period, then you may face cancellation fees which can sometimes be quite hefty!
Using the above guidelines will go some way towards helping you find the UK health insurance that fits your requirements.
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