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What is a health insurance policy?

Health insurance is a type of insurance that is for you and your family to get the best medical treatment fast. Private medical treatment can vary from minor injuries or pain all the way up to serious conditions like cancer or heart attacks.

We all know that any private medical treatment is often very expensive and unaffordable for the majority of people. However, access to the best care can mean the difference between a fast recovery or long-lasting life-changing problems.

This type of policy is designed to give you and your family the best type of private medical care at an affordable price. Treatments can include:

  • Hip replacements
  • Hernia removal
  • Cancer treatment (not available on the NHS)

You could get the right level of care from the country’s leading specialists to keep you fit and healthy.

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Frequently asked questions about health insurance

If you’re looking to compare the best health insurance deals to see what’s right for you, then our experts can help. Our partners include all of the top health insurance companies as well as some specialist providers.

Our Health Insurance Partners .

What’s covered and what type of policies can I get?

One of the best things about health insurance is that you can tailor it exactly to what you want and what you need.

You can choose a basic policy:

  • In-patient treatment is covered, mainly things like surgery
  • Hospital stay costs

More comprehensive policies can also include Outpatient care, which can cover the costs of specialist consultations, and diagnostics or follow-up exams.

Some of the other options that might often be available to you will include:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Mental health care
  • Homeopathic treatment
  • Maternity and pregnancy support
  • Dental care
  • Optical care

Most of these options can be added or removed to suit your needs and more importantly, your budget.

Other options can include health insurance for multiple individuals, such as:

  • Joint cover
  • Family plans
  • Group health (business)

Health insurance is specifically designed to help you maintain your lifestyle and complement NHS care. Pre-existing medical conditions generally won’t be covered under a new medical insurance policy.

If you have a chronic medical condition then your current treatment that you receive on the NHS will continue. You’ll also still need to use NHS accident and emergency services as you would normally.

There’s an extensive list of conditions and treatments that will be covered by your health policy, as well as some that don’t fall under health insurance such as:

  • Chronic medical conditions
  • Cosmetic treatment
  • Dangerous sports and activities (injuries)
  • Mobility aids
  • Pre-existing medical conditions
  • Pregnancy (routine)
  • Self-harm
  • Substance abuse
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The term ‘pre-existing medical condition’ can vary from one insurance provider to another, so it’s important to check the policy wording. It often refers to a medical or health condition that you’ve received treatment or had symptoms in the past five years.

A medical condition is where you have had:

  • Symptoms
  • Treatment
  • Medication
  • Consultation

Will my pre-existing medical condition be covered?

Health insurance is to provide cover for medical treatment for conditions that you suffer after you have taken a policy. Your pre-existing medical condition will still be treated through the NHS, and any new condition will be covered.

How can I keep my health insurance premiums down?

It’s understable to be concerned about how much an insurance policy might cost. There are a number of ways to keep your premiums affordable, which are usually quick and simple.

Some ways you can reduce health insurance costs include:

1) Excess – Health insurance has an excess which works the same as car insurance so you could select a higher excess. You’ll need to pay your excess when you make a claim but this can work out cheaper over time.

2) Hospital lists – There are different hospital lists for each insurer and you could select from the options that are available to you. By reducing your list, you might be able to reduce your premium.

3) Cover options – You’ve got the option of adding and removing various elements of your plan.

4) Co-pay claims – Another option is for you to select that you will pay for a proportion of any claim, as well as your excess.

There is an option with many insurers to ‘auto-renew’ cover which works in the same as most other insurance policies. If you select an automatic renewal then you will be notified of any changes in premiums prior to renewal.

Is it possible to add people to my health insurance policy?

Most insurance providers will let you make amendments to your policy throughout the year. You’ll be able to add your partner usually and your children can be added.

What are the age limits for health insurance?

To have your own health insurance cover, the minimum age is usually 18 years of age. Children can be added to a parent’s policy and then can have their own policy once over 18 years.

Health insurance jargon buster

We know that insurance can be confusing and some of the terms that are used often don’t make sense. Here’s a list of some of the most common terms used:

Common health insurance terms

Certificate of insurance – This is also often referred to as ‘policy documents’. It provides you with evidence of your cover and the terms of the agreement.

Day patient – This refers to a treatment or tests which have taken place but not required an overnight stay.

Excess – The excess is the figure or sum that you select which will be paid by you at the point of claim. A higher excess will reduce the premiums.

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)The Financial Conduct Authority is the regulator in the UK, which controls and regulates the treatment of customers by financial services firms.

Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)The Financial Ombudsman Service is a voluntary and impartial organisation that mediates between customers and financial services firms to settle disputes.

Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) – A policy that is fully underwritten at the point of application to ensure that all medical history has been taken into account.

In-patient – This refers to a person who has been admitted to the hospital for at least one night on a ward or in a bed.

Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) – Tax is payable on most general insurance contracts which are relatively small and included in your quote

Moratorium underwriting – Most health insurance policies are underwritten this way because it’s far easier than full medical underwriting. This method of underwriting is automated and anything you have suffered symptoms or had treatment for over the past several years will be excluded.

No claims discount (NCD) – Usually this is applied from the outset and will be reduced as any claims occur.

Out-patient – Where you visit the hospital for a test, investigation, or consultation.

Self-pay – In this situation, you would have chosen to pay for your private medical treatment yourself rather than claim on your insurance.

Underwriting – The process where an application is assessed based on an applicant’s health and their medical history

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