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Private Health Insurance In Uk – Chris is our regular private health insurance and wellness expert. He has more than a decade of experience writing about private health insurance and Medicare. He is certified by the Insurance Institute and has been regularly quoted in the national press.
Private healthcare could replace the NHS, but what would it involve and how would it work? This guide explains what private healthcare offers and how you can access it.
Private Health Insurance In Uk
Private healthcare is generally any medical service that requires payment for treatment, unlike the NHS.
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There are many private healthcare providers, from family doctors, physiotherapists and dentists to surgeons, psychiatrists, hospitals and private clinics.
Many specialists and consultants in the private sector also work in the NHS, so there is often no difference in the skills or experience of those looking after you. Going private is usually quicker, but of course it will cost you money along the way.
Private healthcare and private health insurance are not luxuries only for the wealthy. However, following Covid-19, Brexit, and strikes by many doctors, NHS waiting lists have risen to record levels. In April 2024, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published the results of an open survey which showed that around 10 million people may be waiting for an NHS appointment or treatment, a figure significantly higher than NHS waiting list figures.
Problems with access to NHS dentists, GPs and hospital care have led to an increase in patients turning to ‘self-pay’ or through insurance. According to the Private Health Information Network, self-admissions to private hospitals in 2023 will be 32% higher than pre-pandemic levels, even taking into account the number of people registered with private health insurance.
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Spring and summer have arrived, and with a change of government likely at the end of the year, problems in the NHS will take time to resolve, so the role of private healthcare will remain the most important for the foreseeable future.
Private healthcare is any medical appointment or treatment that you pay for, is not from the NHS, is taxable and is free at the point of use.
We explain later in this article how to pay for private healthcare, but essentially, you have to pay for it yourself or, if you already have health insurance, it covers some or all of the costs.
From primary care to surgery, you have access to a variety of special medical services. Here we explain how each type of treatment works.
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If your doctor tells you that you need a certain type of surgery, you can have it done privately if you can afford it. For example, you may be told that you need a hip replacement which requires an overnight stay in hospital, but there is a long waiting list through the NHS, so you will see if it can be done privately.
Many NHS consultants also work privately in a private hospital or in a separate setting within an NHS hospital, and you can always ask if this is an option. Otherwise, you can choose one of the private hospitals in your area or if that is your preference.
When you contact your hospital of choice, you will need a personal referral letter from your consultant confirming your need for surgery.
Private hospitals often have hotel-style facilities, where you often have a private room with a private bathroom and dining options. You can choose your hospital based on whether it is close to your consultant, facility or home.
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For example, you may have a referral from a GP to see a consultant but have been waiting a long time for the NHS to arrive. You can pay for private consultations and diagnostic tests to determine the treatment you need. This may include surgery or other treatments such as physical therapy.
Some surgeries, such as knee replacements, require a hospital stay, but many do not. Hospitals often perform cataract surgery or cataract surgery as a specialist, and you can treat yourself as if you were in an outpatient clinic.
In addition, your doctor may recommend physical therapy to relieve symptoms. You can keep NHS treatment or choose a local hospital, such as a specialist hospital. Mental health care is also available with private therapists working at local treatment centers.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to get appointments with doctors, according to reports from patients in the UK. NHS GPs usually have open office hours, but there is a high demand for appointments outside these hours so that we can balance our health needs with other commitments.
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Many private healthcare providers offer private GP consultations online, by telephone or face to face. If you have private health insurance, this will usually cover virtual GP appointments via video or telephone, and many offer a limited number of face-to-face appointments for an additional fee.
However, without private health insurance, you can still pay for private GP appointments. You can find local clinics online and call or fill out an appointment form. A private GP can provide general health advice, a private prescription or a private prescription.
It should be noted that private prescriptions are generally more expensive than NHS prescriptions. Some services are only available to patients over the age of 16 or 18, so if you want private health care for your child, these services may not be suitable for you.
Most private health insurance policies include cancer treatment as part of their standard coverage. Depending on your policy, you may have access to private counseling and diagnostic testing. The policy usually covers surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Your health insurance policy may cover other treatments and services such as stem cell therapy, nutritional counseling, and assistance with braces or prosthetics if necessary.
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One advantage of private cancer care is that private healthcare providers often invest in newer treatments or medicines that are not available through the NHS. Although these treatments are not necessary, you will be treated in a private hospital with high-quality facilities.
The main drawback of private cancer treatment may be the cost. If you do not have private health insurance, you must finance it yourself. Cancer is unpredictable and treatment costs can quickly rise into hundreds of thousands of pounds, which many people cannot afford.
In the UK, you can get free dental treatment and eye checks if you meet the relevant age criteria or receive certain benefits. Some people qualify for free eye exams based on their medical history, for example, if they have diabetes or glaucoma or are at high risk for certain eye diseases. Eligible patients usually receive a voucher for glasses or contact lenses when they need them.
The rule is that most UK adults now pay for private healthcare such as dentists or eye doctors. Some dentists and surgeons will split the cost of your regular appointment and offer discounts on prescriptions, glasses or contact lenses. If you use on-screen monitors, your employer has a legal obligation to pay for eye exams and glasses if you need them at work.
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You can purchase individual health insurance with vision and dental coverage as a supplement or a standalone policy. A cash plan is an affordable alternative to private health insurance that provides cash back for routine medical expenses such as eye exams, dental checkups and physical therapy.
You can combine private healthcare with NHS care, but only in certain circumstances, so it is wise to be careful.
NHS waiting lists include patients who require as-needed diagnosis or treatment, and patients who require specialist treatment such as surgery or physiotherapy. Choosing private healthcare can help you avoid all the waiting time. For example, you can ask your doctor for an open referral to a specialist and pay for private consultations, tests and examinations if necessary. If you need a special surgery, a private hospital will charge you a fixed fee. You can accept it or return to the NHS for treatment.
Likewise, you can get a diagnosis through the NHS and ask for a referral so you can have special surgery.
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Mixing private healthcare with NHS care is complex. The NHS website says there should be a clear separation between private healthcare and NHS treatment. You cannot combine private care and NHS care as part of the same treatment, but you can pay for additional private services such as cancer medicines. It is wise to talk to your doctor to make the right decisions about your health.
What options are available to you if you end up on an NHS waiting list? Click here to read about the steps you can take to treat it.
Arranging personal care is usually simple, but it depends on the type of treatment you need and how you plan to pay for it.
If you have health insurance, your insurance provider will tell you how to file a claim. Many of them offer an online platform or app, or you can call them for treatment.
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You can contact the private hospital or medical center directly to schedule an appointment or request a quote. If you like
