NHS healthcare is free and available for most UK residents. However, there are benefits to considering private medical insurance. We’re outlining the reasons you should consider making the switch to help you decide whether it’s worth it.
Is Private Medical Insurance Worth It?
Discover the top five benefits of private medical insurance, as well as its limitations.
1. Faster Access to Treatment
One of the biggest advantages of going private is that you can avoid the long NHS waiting lists for treatment. The waiting list for NHS hospital treatment rose to 7.7 million in September 2023. The target for treating cancer patients in under 62 days has increasingly not been met.
You’ll also have quicker access to specialists and consultants, so you won’t have to wait as long to get an appointment or medical advice in the first place.
From there, you can benefit from rapid diagnostic tests and scans, helping you get answers and referrals more quickly.
2. Choice and Flexibility
Going private gives you more of a say over where you’re treated, and you’ll be able to select your preferred hospital. This could help you get treated more locally or closer to family.
You may also be able to select your consultant, so you can choose your preferred professional.
The freedom to schedule treatments at convenient times is one of the biggest draws to private healthcare for many. This removes the stresses of awkwardly timed hospital appointments that could impact work or family commitments.
Employees in the UK don’t have legal entitlement to take time off work for doctors or hospital appointments, unless they’re pregnant. Access to private healthcare ensures you can comfortably attend all your elective and essential treatments without worrying about getting time off work.
You’ll also have access to private rooms rather than shared wards, giving you a more comfortable experience.
3. Access to Additional Treatments
Private healthcare also opens doors to treatment that’s not currently available on the NHS, as well as access to newer medications. Depending on your policy, you may even be able to get alternative therapies and mental health support. There is currently up to an 18-week wait for non-urgent mental health consultant support on the NHS, but with private healthcare, you can be seen more quickly.
4. Enhanced Care Options
Enhanced care options in private healthcare include more comprehensive physiotherapy, advanced cancer treatments, better continuity of care by seeing the same specialist and extended hospital visiting hours, making it easier for loved ones to visit. All these features contribute to a more comfortable stay in the hospital, as well as enhancing your chances of recovery from illness or injury.
5. Additional Benefits (Dependent on Policy)
Depending on your policy, other benefits may include 24/7 GP helplines, virtual GP services, health screenings and dental and optical cover.
What Are the Limitations of Private Medical Insurance?
To make this guide more balanced and informative, we’ve included a list of the limitations of a private medical insurance policy.
- Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
- Emergency care still handled by NHS
- Premiums increase with age
- May have excesses and exclusions
We hope this helps you decide whether private healthcare is right for you, but if you’re unsure, you’re welcome to speak to one of our insurance brokers for advice. We’re happy to discuss the excesses and exclusions in more detail.
Speak to a Private Medical Insurance Broker
Working across the whole insurance market, we can help find a policy that works for your healthcare requirements. Offering a personable service, book your free initial consultation with our private medical insurance brokers today to learn more about the policies available to you.
We’ll talk through the benefits, limitations, terms and conditions and how to make a claim. We balance finding a cost-effective insurance quote with a stress-free claims process. In other words, we look at the whole picture to ensure you’re truly getting the right policy for you and your family.
