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Compare Medical Insurance & Private Health Cover

At MediCompare, we offer a simple way to compare medical insurance in the UK. We work with the leading insurers in the country to help your find the best policies and prices. Simply enter your details and one of our team members will be in touch with you very shortly.

Private medical insurance is a specific type of insurance covering surgical and medical expenses for an individual, or anyone covered under the specific plan. It comes in two forms:

  • Covering expenses from the individual patient and paid to the care provider (clinic, hospital etc)
  • Reimbursing any costs to the patient

22

of UK adults have private healthcare in 2023, which has nearly doubled since 2019.*

More and more people are using private medical insurance to get their healthcare needs met quickly. Fill in our quick, simple form to receive a quote. We will find the best deals to suit your needs.

* https://www.statista.com/ chart/29261/share-of-uk-paying -for-private-health-insurance/

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How Often Should I Compare Medical Insurance Policies?

Compare medical insurance policies annually or whenever your circumstances change significantly. Life events such as marriage, the birth of a child, or changes in employment can impact your healthcare needs.

Should I Consult a Professional Advisor When Comparing Medical Insurance Policies?

Yes. Consulting a professional insurance advisor, especially an independent insurance broker, can be beneficial when comparing medical insurance policies. These experts can provide personalised guidance based on your individual circumstances and help you navigate the complexities of policy features, terms, and coverage options. Fill in our quick form to get a free quote.

What Does Private Medical Health Insurance Cover?

Medical insurance does not make you automatically covered for everything and it generally covers short-term conditions that can be remedied quickly by treatment, surgery and medical tests. It is important to compare medical insurance because every provider has different plans and policies available to suit your requirements.

When using specific terminology you would refer to the ‘insured’ as the ‘owner’ of any health insurance coverage that has been taken out. You would refer to the clinic, doctor, laboratory or pharmacy as the ‘provider’.

How Do I Compare Medical Health Insurance?

Start by identifying your healthcare needs and preferences. Consider factors such as your family size, age, medical history, and budget.

Once you have a clear understanding of what you are looking for, you can use online comparison tools, insurance broker services, or chat for free with one of our expert advisers by clicking here.

How Do Insurance Brokers Help Me Compare Medical Insurance Policies?

Insurance brokers are intermediaries who can help you navigate the complex landscape of medical insurance policies. They have expertise in understanding various policies and can provide personalised recommendations based on your needs. Brokers can offer insights into policy features, costs, and benefits, helping you make an informed decision.

How Many People Have Medical Insurance in the UK?

  • 22% of UK adults in 2023 have private healthcare, which has nearly doubled since 2019. (Statista’s Consumer Insights)
  • 33% of those that used private healthcare last year did so for the first time, having previously only ever used the NHS for medical treatments. (YouGov 2023)

What is Covered By MediCompare Partners' Medical Insurance?

Although plans vary between insurers, the average policies tend to cover the following:

  • Exclusive drugs – If your treatment needs drugs that are unavailable on the NHS, but have been approved by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. then they could be covered.
  • Hospital stay and specific nursing care – In most policies you can expect your stay in hospital to be covered, along with any nursing care that is needed during your visit.
  • Inpatient care – Inpatient treatment is when you need a hospital bed for the day, or overnight. This will also include tests and surgery.
  • Outpatient care – Outpatient care is when you do not need to spend a night at the hospital, or will not need a hospital bed. In this case you might only being seeing a consultant, or having diagnostics. If you have a cheaper policy then the amount of outpatient care available in your plan could be capped. Under cheaper policies the type of outpatient procedures available could also be limited.
  • Extra cover – Depending on the insurer, cover for psychiatric treatment varies. It is difficult for providers as it is not always clear whether it falls under illnesses that are curable (which is short-term and therefore covered) or if it is long-term care (which is not covered). Depending on the type of comprehensive cover (or premium cover) you take out you might have psychiatric treatment covered.
  • Some policies also offer:
    • Private ambulances
    • Nursing home care
    • 24-hour help line
    • Complementary therapies
    • Private hotel rooms
    • Accommodation of a relative or child is in hospital.

The cheapest plans will not cover all these treatments and some may only be available at a premium.

What is Not Included in Private Medical Insurance From MediCompare?

Medical insurance generally covers curable (short-term) procedures and does not cover ongoing (long-term) procedures such as asthma, kidney dialysis, non-essential cosmetic surgery and drug abuse.

What is Private Diagnostic Insurance?

Private diagnostic insurance only covers the ‘diagnostic’, or in other words, it will pay to find out what is wrong with you, and nothing further. After this you will still have to pay for the cost of any necessary ongoing treatment.

Do I Need to Compare Medical Insurance If My Company Pays For It?

Private medical insurance can help to ‘top-up’ the difference between what your corporate insurance provides, and what you might personally need. Through a business health insurance plan you may not be covered for everything that is important to you. Taking a close look at what your company provides will allow you to determine if you need anything extra. You can top-up your corporate plan to include:

  • Dental insurance
  • Maternity Insurance
  • Optical Insurance
  • Extreme sports (skydiving, bungee jumping)
  • Global travel insurance

Can I Still Use The NHS With Private Cover?

Yes. Sometimes you can have a procedure that is not urgent or more affordable and your insurance provider will recommend that at no extra cost. However, private medical insurance is often chosen by people who are keen to avoid long waiting lists.

Are There Other Options of Medical Insurance Available to Compare?

How Do I Compare The Different Types of Medical Insurance Coverage?

Health insurance generally falls in to two main categories:

  • Fully underwritten insurance – insurers ask for a full medical history
  • Moratorium insurance – limited information about medical history

A fully underwritten policy will generally give you wider coverage, but you will likely pay more for this benefit. A moratorium policy will be cheaper but will come with complete, or ‘blanket’ exclusions on many pre-existing conditions. So if you had any previous conditions or things that you were being treatment for (e.g physiotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy), this will be excluded in your new policy, which can be annoying.

In addition to these two categories, many providers are now offering mix and match policies to make sure the policy is tailored to what you or your family insurance needs. On top of inpatient care these modular policies help you save money in places that you don’t need coverage, and help bolster coverage where you do.

Some providers offer specialist policies including:

  • Over a certain age bracket (e.g. 55 and above, or over-65s)
  • If the waiting list for the specific treatment on the NHS is longer than 4-6 weeks.
  • A specific focus on one ailment or disease, e.g. leukemia

How Does Private Health Insurance Compare With NHS Cover?

Many people choose to supplement their free healthcare with private healthcare. Private healthcare may provide the potential for quicker access to treatment, the ability to choose specific consultants, and the convenience of nearby facilities.

Private coverage may also provide access to medications and treatments that may not otherwise be available. Try to consider your individual preferences and needs when deciding on the appropriate healthcare approach to ensure a satisfactory quality of life.

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