Private Medical Insurance

2. What is Private Medical Insurance?

Private medical insurance is designed to cover the costs of private medical treatment for curable short-term illness or injury (commonly known as acute conditions). Most people buy this type of insurance to gain the reassurance of knowing that treatment is available promptly, if they become ill or are injured.

As a private patient you can often choose when treatment will take place, the specialist who treats you and the hospital. You will usually have the privacy of an en-suite room, complete with TV and other home comforts.

Some illnesses and treatments will not be covered by a private medical insurance policy and these are common to most schemes (see Section 5 of this guide).

It is also important to remember that this insurance is not designed to replace all the services offered by the NHS. Some, such as accident and emergency, are beyond the scope of most private hospitals.

Private Medical Insurance Guide:

1. About this guide
2. What is private medical insurance?
3. How do I buy private medical insurance?
4. How do I choose the right cover?
5. What am I covered for? What does my cover not include?
6. What will affect my premiums?
7. Will I need to provide details of my health?
8. Will my cover be affected if I am disabled?
9. How do I make a claim?
10. How is private medical insurance controlled?
11. What if I want to change to a new insurance company?
12. Your private medical insurance checklist
13. Useful addresses