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Health Insurance - Levels Of CoverThis part of the site will detail the various levels of medical cover offered by leading health insurance outlets. The cover is designed to help you afford private health care and avoid the long waiting lists of the NHS. Most levels will cover hospital treatment that is eligible to a patient once they have seen a consultant and none of the levels require you to take a medical examination prior to taking out a policy. As well as this you will not be asked to give any medical history (though this does not apply to the over 75s). Various outlets offer the policies and will often offer personalised quotes that are based on age, address and excess, along with what level you choose. Generally, the three levels of cover range from basic, mid-range and high end policies, which have different names depending on the outlet. The basic levels tend to only cover in-patient treatments (with out-patient consultations), with midrange levels covering both in-patient and out-patient but with a higher excess and higher end policies will offer these covers along with not limits and extras such as transport costs. These levels are looked at in more detail here, however this is an overview and full details can be found on the respective websites of the providers mentioned. Basic Level (Often called Core Cover)This will provide cover for hospital treatment for in-patient procedures such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy along with Psychiatric treatment. What else it includes will depend on the policy at hand and the outlet providing it.A lot of the policies will covers treatment in a private hospital, it might also cover cancer treatment for up to one year and cover any costs related to transport in a private ambulance as long as it is used to get to hospital where the patient is undergoing eligible in-patient treatment covered by the insurance. Some policies also offer nursing at home as part of their core plan and in some cases covers accommodation for one parent when a child under twelve years old is the patient in question. With some policies they might offer an NHS cash benefit if treatment is taken in an NHS hospital. On top of these, there are also other basics with core covers including health advice from the internet and a 24 hour helpline. For more details, most policy providers will outline what is and is not covered on their websites. Some offers will not be available with all policies and it is advised to always read the small print. Mid-range LevelMid-range levels will cover you for most hospital fees deemed eligible and in some cases, specialist fees as well. In most cases, this level will offer the same benefits as the basic level cover but with added extras. What else will be included will depend on the policy at hand and the outlet providing it.In a lot of cases, mid range cover provides more prompt treatment, including access to specialists and consultants, access to private treatment and a certain amount’s worth of cover for use for consultant appointments (with a limit at some point). Some policies will also include diagnostic tests and outpatient psychiatry. In terms of parental accommodation, the age bracket might increase in some cases (or stay the same), so parents of children under fourteen (up from twelve) might get accommodation covered. Some major dental expenses may also be covered under such policies. More information on these can be found on the websites of those that offer the policies. You should always read the small print of all policies considered. High End PoliciesThe higher end policies again offer the same cover as the others, but tend to have no limits on them and even more extra benefits. As with the lower end policies the rest of the details that will be included depend on the policy at hand and the outlet providing it.Some providers also include complementary therapies like physiotherapy as part of their higher end policies. They might include psychiatric treatment and access to private hospital transport service (with a higher limit). Cover will also be provided for treatment in the case of some complications regarding pregnancies. In some cases, the insurance policy might give unlimited private ambulance service as well as the benefits mentioned. These come along with access to private maternity care (with the policy covering some of it) and more cash benefits for NHS in-patient treatment. Along with the above levels of cover, some policy providers also include some others, usually cheaper levels that will cover very basic costs and are offered to those with lower incomes. These low cost offers cover the basics such as in-patient essentials and exclude the extras such as alternative therapies. As a result, it is possible to offer a level of cover to most people |
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