Private Medical Insurance - An Introduction :
Private Medical Insurance covers the costs of
private medical treatment for
'acute conditions'.
Technological advances in
medical services has given a never before boost to the prices of treatment.
Private medical insurance addresses this problem of increased demand and expense. Those unhealthy conditions which have quick response to
treatment and the
ailing person becomes normal immediately after the
treatment is over are termed as
acute conditions.
Private Medical Insurance Gains because :
- One insured under a private medical insurance plan gets prompt treatment in case of an illness or injury. The lengthy waiting lists have forced people to take cover under private medical insurance companies.
- In addition to promptness the insured also has a greater choice. He can choose the doctor and the hospital according to his convenience.
- A person insured under private medical insurance needn't wait too long for a 'non-urgent' operation.
Checking Out Private Medical Insurance :
- While choosing the right cover one must be aware of his own health i.e. whether he needs in-patient treatment or out-patient treatment or day-patient treatment.
- If one goes to the hospital without receiving approval from the insurance provider then his hospital bills may not be reimbursed under the 'managed care' clause.
- Insurance is usually not provided for pre-existing conditions i.e. conditions that existed before taking the cover.
- Premiums for private medical insurance may rise above the rate of general inflation. Premiums also increase with age because older people need medical treatment more frequently.
- Care should be taken while changing insurers. The new insurer may not cover an existing medical condition which the current insurer covers
- Service quality and credit rating of the insurance company must be taken care of.
Thus
private medical insurance is a boon to people requiring immediate
treatment and that too according to his choice but one must not overlook the extent and cost of protection.
For further information one may view sites like abi.org.uk, cmanet.org,
netdoctor.co.uk etc.