MediCompare offers specialist health insurance policies for those over 50 or born in 1960s. Simply request a quote for more information.
Why Get over-50’s Health Insurance From MediCompare?
Reasons for over 50’s health insurance could be anything from preparing to leave a company health insurance plan, knowing that men and women are living longer or just to get peace of mind.
The NHS does a lot for us. But as you enter your 50’s you could need quicker or more specialized care than the NHS can offer. Being covered for every conceivable eventuality, above and beyond the NHS, could make a big difference to you.
Over-50’s health insurance might be for you and MediCompare can help you get the policy that picks up where NHS leaves off.
Benefits of an over 50’s Health Insurance policy
Depending on the policy you choose, you could look forward to these benefits:
· Quick referral and treatment which can lead to speedier recovery
· Access to top consultants and leading specialists
· Choice of consultant
· Convenient appointment times
· Access to a second opinion
· Private hospitals often with ensuite rooms, phones, TVs, good quality food.
· Access to new treatments and drugs not available on the NHS.
· 24/7 health information telephone service
· An environment more conducive to convalescence after hospital procedures
· Provisions for home-nursing and recuperative care
Please note: Private Health Insurance does not replace the NHS accident and emergency treatments. Nor does it take the place long terms illnesses care, still be handled by the NHS
Shopping for your over-50’s Health Insurance Provider
You may be a first time over-50’s Health insurance buyer or transitioning to a slightly different policy but whatever your situation, make sure you work with a group that:
· Compares major providers
· Gives invaluable and comprehensive advice
· Has a proven track record at catering to the needs of over 50’s
· Offers exclusive plans
· Can instruct you on how to easily change providers
· Offers mediation service when and if needed
· Can arrange pre-existing condition coverage (where necessary)
· Supplies timely customer service
· Can advise on additional benefits like Maternity, Annual Health Checks, Dental Insurance, Optical and Medical Evacuation
What Affects the Cost of My Premium?
Several things. Luckily, it is pretty easy to tailor your cover to get what you want at the right price by looking at levels of cover, types of coverage, including their exclusion/inclusions policies.
At Medicompare we can show you a wide range of individual healthcare plans from some of the leading insurers. We’ll supply comparison charts that show you exactly what you could expect with a particular policy and whether they include treatment, diagnostics and/or Cancer treatment.
For example:
Treatment Cover | · Hospital Charges in Full
· Surgeon Fees in Full · Anaesthetists Fees in Full · Parent accommodation in full · Out-patient therapies such as physiotherapy paid in full · Mental Health cover limited to 28 days in-patient or day-patient |
Diagnostics Cover | · Specialist Consultation Fees in Full
· Diagnostic Tests (x-rays, blood tests, etc.) in Full · Diagnostic Scans (MRI, PET & CT) in Full |
Cancer Cover | · Specialist Consultation Fees in Full
· Diagnostic Tests (x-rays, blood tests, etc.) in Full · Diagnostic Scans (MRI, PET & CT) in Full |
Know the Inclusions and Exclusions in your Policy
Obviously, you cannot foresee what medical conditions may arise in your life to prepare for most eventualities with the right policy that has exactly what you need and want. Finding out you have the wrong inclusions and exclusions, after the fact, can be too late.
Inclusions
These are conditions and treatments that are covered in your particular policy. Obviously, it depends on the type of policy you end up with. Make sure your provider knows all the facts about your needs, your health and your circumstances so they can get you the inclusions you most need. Such as…
- In-patient and day-patient treatment – Are surgeon, anaesthetist and physician fees covered by the policy? How about overnight stays, operating theatre and nursing costs?
- Out-patient treatment – Which surgical procedures, radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments are included? Will consultations and diagnostic tests be inclusive? How about out-patient CT, MRI and PET Scans, practitioner and physiotherapist charges and even in the majority of instances, therapist, homeopath and acupuncturist fees?
Exclusions
There are conditions and treatments not covered in your policy. For instance, voluntary or elective medical treatment like cosmetic surgery as well as costs for treatments by specialists or facilities not recognized by your provider.
How to Reduce the Cost of over 50’s Health Insurance
As there are three price options (budget, standard and comprehensive) obviously picking a budget or standard policy would help keep the costs down but you do not want to compromise and limit the coverage you should have.
Check out these cost-reducing possibilities…
- Build-up and protect a no claims bonus
- Pay a higher excess
- Agree to be treated by the NHS within a specific timeframe (usually 6 weeks)
- Opt for treatment from certain hospitals
- Pay a proportion of the full treatment costs
- Opt out of some outpatient elements of the cover
Again, do your research, compare policies and read the Terms and Conditions because some policies might already have high excesses or less coverage.
How Do I Arrange To See a Specialist Using My Insurance?
Here’s how it works:
- See your GP so they can examine and/or diagnose your condition.
- Get a referral from your GP for the necessary specialist. Generally, they write to the specialist.
- You need to contact your insurer to check that your particular condition is covered under your policy.
- If you are covered for that condition, your insurer provides you with an authorisation code.
- You ring the specialist to make an appointment or wait to receive confirmation from the specialist. (Sometimes a specialist’s reception will not schedule the appointment without the code. You must have this code to receive coverage.)
Another thing…
Once you have your over 50’s Health Insurance make sure you check the rules on obtaining provider authorisation codes to see a specialist. It’s easy to forget to ring your provider if you are ill etc. Beware that there may be strict rules about when you contact them pertaining to the specialist visit. Often in emergency situations, they may be more lax.