MediCompare offers health insurance for teenagers aged 13 to 18. Whether you would like individual policies for your busy teenagers or those going abroad, we can help you – and you can tie it in with your family health policy too.
What is Teenage Health Insurance and do I need it?
Put very simply, health insurance is a policy taken out to cover your medical care costs.
If you are a teenager, you’re young, you spend hours in the gym, and/or go out with friends – you’re active. You’ve got good genes. Heck maybe your great-grandparents are still alive. Rarely do you get anything more serious than a cold.
So, why buy health insurance? Because every day, strong healthy people get into an accident, discover they have cancer, need surgery, break bones, need stitches, etc.
What if you are one of those unlucky people? The costs of medical care needed from a minor car accident can eat up your savings. A major illness could wipe it out entirely, even that of your family. The cost of Insurance may seem like an unnecessary and expensive purchase, but NOT having it could cost so much more.
You could be in luck. If your parents already have private health insurance they could put you on and keep you on a family plan until you are 18 or 21 if in full-time education. After that, private health insurance is your responsibility. Or if you’re even luckier your employer will pay for your health insurance.
As a parent, why should I take out private health insurance for my teenage daughter or son?
Medical care is expensive and gets more so every year. Specialist care, paid out of pocket, could mean bankruptcy. More and more parents are taking out private health insurance for their teens because of the NHS. Its care services are strained and there are new harsher restrictions on treatments.
In addition, more and more teens are facing issues their parents never faced as teens. A recent article in the Guardian stated that 250,000 children in England receive mental health care.
If you as a parent want timely specialist medical care for your teen when she or he needs it then health care insurance may be for you too.
How can I get a quote for teenage health insurance from MediCompare?
Teenage health care coverage comes in hundreds of varieties. The cost of coverage can vary due to so many factors, such as:
- Age
- Location
- Medical history
- Extent of coverage
- Excess
MediCompare can help you find the right package. First we’ll talk with you or your teen to decide exactly what type of coverage is needed. Then we investigate the most up-to-date policy offerings and quotes from leading UK insurers. Next, we present you with the best health care quote for the best coverage. We offer this service free with no obligation to buy. We will never share your details without your permission.
What Benefits Should We Consider in Teenage Health Insurance Coverage?
You may consider Comprehensive medical insurance. With this type of coverage, you may arrange private care at a time that suits you. It helps cover medical care costs. Some policies are especially designed so you can mix and match coverage options to suit your needs.
- Treatment if they’re sick
- Simple lab tests for diagnosing health problems
- Routine check-ups, sports physicals, and other preventive care
- Immunisations that the NHS does not cover, like meningitis, flu, etc.
- Mental health care for depression, stress, and anxiety
- Substance abuse help
- Sexual health care, including STD testing and, in some cases, birth control options
- Quit smoking help
- Swift access for treatments depending on the eligibility under your plan
- Range of consultants or specialists that will be there for your treatment and recuperation
- Range in hospital grade: from private wards in NHS hospitals to exclusive private hospitals
- Clean, quiet private hospital room (usually en-suite) with nutritious quality food
- Coverage of hospital charges, consultant and anaesthetist fees, diagnostic tests and outpatient fees.
- Specialist teams that support you in vital areas such as cancer, heart, mental health and muscle, joint and bone conditions
- Nurses and counsellors who give over-the-phone support
- Inpatient tests
- Coverage for surgery as an inpatient or day patient
- Outpatient consultations, therapy, tests, and treatment
Cancer Care
A diagnosis of cancer is incredibly scary. No one wants to think about arranging cancer care. Being in expert hands could mean the world. So, find a policy that can care for your teen and support him or her through the process.
As an alternative to comprehensive coverage, check out policies that cover cancer treatment and care after your teen has been diagnosed by the NHS. Ones that offer over-the-phone support from specialist nurses during any cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery can be invaluable.
Pre-existing conditions
Any medical condition that your son or daughter has been treated for in the last five years (prior to taking out the new policy) would not be covered for the first 2 years of your new policy, called a ‘moratorium period’. But, if no treatment or medical advice is needed and/or taken for that condition for a consecutive 2 year period your teen could then be covered for that condition, within the benefits of your plan.
Chronic Conditions
Most private medical insurers WILL NOT cover any chronic health conditions.
Mental Health Cover
For mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, look at cover for in-patient, day-patient and out-patient treatment. It’s also helpful if out-patient specialist consultations are covered as well as psychologists, psychotherapists and cognitive behavioural therapists.
How to Lower the Cost of Teenage Private Health Care
Teenage Health Insurance v Group Family Insurance
If you already have a family Insurance policy simply adding your teen is by far the least expensive option. Depending on the company, their normal pricing structure makes this possible while others may offer a ‘special’ family discount.
Choose a Higher Excess
Comprehensive medical insurance policies have what’s called an excess. It’s the portion of the health care procedure, hospital stay, etc cost that you are responsible for paying. Your insurance company then covers the rest. Choosing to pay a larger excess when you choose your policy will lower your monthly premium payments. Just be sure that it does not exclude any benefits that are important to your teenager’s health.
Cash Back Plan for Health Care Service
Some private insurance plans pay up to 80% of services like: dentist charges, prescription glasses, contact lenses, and sometimes a portion of eye tests are covered. There is a maximum amount they will cover per year.
Self-Pay Protect:
You or your teen may opt for this type of coverage instead of comprehensive insurance. Under this plan, care that is elective and short-term is covered. i.e. treatments that are expected to restore their health to the same or possibly even better condition than experienced before treatment. Long-term treatments are never covered.
If it’s important to you to pay for treatments as and when needed and avoid high insurance premiums, Self-Pay Protect may be perfect for your teen. Self-pay schemes also have options that reimburse you up to 75% of the treatment cost.
Additional Benefits
Some insurers even offer very nice discounts on the services of some of the UK’s biggest names in health and wellbeing, travel, leisure, retail, & home entertainment. They see this as another way of keeping their customers healthy both mentally and physically. It’s a nice perk!