How to get cheap health insurance- 2024

For many of our clients, keeping costs low is important when choosing private medical insurance. If you’re considering private insurance to avoid long NHS waiting times, you’ve come to the right place. So, how can you find affordable health insurance? What will it cost? And what will it cover?

There are many ways to reduce your health insurance premium and in this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about getting a cheap and affordable health insurance plan.

How does private health insurance work?

Health insurance helps pay for acute medical treatments. You pay a monthly fee for your insurance policy and it will cover costs for sudden and serious health problems, like a broken bone or surgery. Most plans cover inpatient treatments, which means care that requires you to stay in the hospital overnight. Each health insurance policy usually includes comprehensive cancer cover and a basic hospital list, so you have access to medical treatments. You can choose from a list of hospitals covered by your plan.

However, private medical insurance does not cover chronic conditions or pre-existing health conditions you had before the plan started. If you get ill or hurt after starting your insurance, your health policy will help pay for the treatment based on what your plan covers.

Benefits of Health Insurance

Health insurance offers a range of benefits that can provide quicker access to medical care, more options for treatment, and added comfort during your stay. Here’s what you can expect from having health insurance:

Faster Access to Specialists

With private health insurance, your GP can refer you to a private specialist for a second opinion or expert treatment, which is often quicker than waiting for an NHS referral.

Quicker Scans and Tests

If the NHS is delaying a scan or won’t provide one, health insurance allows you to get the scans you need, without having to wait.

Shorter Waiting Times for Treatment

If your NHS treatment wait time is over six weeks, your insurance can speed up the process, allowing you to receive care sooner.

Freedom to Choose Your Surgeon and Hospital

Private health insurance gives you the option to choose your surgeon and hospital based on what works best for your schedule and location. This flexibility isn’t usually available with the NHS.

Private Hospital Rooms

Health insurance increases your chances of staying in a private room, giving you more privacy and comfort compared to the mixed-sex wards in NHS hospitals.

Access to Specialist Treatments and Drugs

Some drugs and treatments that aren’t covered by the NHS due to cost or lack of approval may still be available through your insurance, giving you access to a wider range of care options.

Faster Physiotherapy Appointments

You can access physiotherapy more quickly through insurance than you might through the NHS, helping you recover faster from injuries or surgery.

Levels of health insurance cover

When choosing private health insurance, you’ll have three main options: basic, mid-range, or comprehensive plans. Here’s a breakdown of each option with examples:

• Basic plan
  This is also known as the “treatment-only” plan. It covers all inpatient and day-patient treatments, including your stay at private hospitals. However, for diagnosis and initial consultations, you will use the NHS. For example, you could be diagnosed by an NHS doctor, but if you need surgery, you will be treated in a private hospital. This is the most affordable option, but you’ll still rely on the NHS for some parts of your care.
• Mid-range plan
  With this plan, you can have some outpatient care privately. This usually includes an initial consultation, a few diagnostics like blood tests or scans, and 1-2 follow-up appointments. For example, you might see a private consultant for your initial diagnosis and get an MRI scan privately, followed by a treatment plan in a private hospital. However, some aspects of your care, such as more follow-up visits, may still involve the NHS. This offers more flexibility than the basic plan but at a higher cost.
• Comprehensive Plan
  This is the most complete option and covers everything privately. There are no limits on the number of consultations, diagnostics, or treatments. For example, you can see a private consultant from the start, have all necessary tests and diagnostics in private facilities, and receive your entire treatment privately, including any follow-up care. While this plan is the most expensive, it offers peace of mind, knowing you will have fast access to top private care without restrictions.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, most health insurance providers now include online GP consultations as a standard part of their plans, giving you easy access to medical advice when needed.

What Is Covered by Treatment-Only Medical Insurance Plans?

Treatment-only medical insurance plans are designed to provide cover for more serious medical issues that require hospital-based treatment. They are more affordable than comprehensive health insurance policies because they exclude outpatient services like routine doctor visits, consultations and diagnostic tests. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what they cover:

1. Inpatient Care

Inpatient care means any treatment where you need to stay in a hospital, and it’s a key part of treatment-only plans. These plans cover major surgeries like hip replacements, heart surgeries, and cancer treatments, with the insurance paying for the operation. They also cover the cost of staying in a private hospital, often with your own room, a private bathroom, and better meals. Some plans also help with recovery after surgery, like covering physiotherapy to help you get better faster.

2. Day-Patient Care

Day-patient care involves medical procedures where you don’t need to stay overnight, but still require a hospital setting. This includes minor surgeries, such as cataract surgery or endoscopy, where you can return home the same day. It also covers treatments like dialysis or chemotherapy, which need medical supervision but don’t require a long hospital stay.

3. Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment is an essential part of most treatment-only health insurance plans, given the serious nature of cancer. Health plan cover generally includes surgery to remove tumours or affected areas, as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy to destroy cancer cells. Some plans also provide access to advanced drugs and innovative therapies that may not be available through the NHS due to their high cost or lack of approval.

4. Private Hospital Stay

When you use a treatment-only policy, you’ll usually receive care in a private hospital or a private area of an NHS hospital. These places provide private rooms, so you won’t be in a shared ward but will have your own space for more comfort and privacy. Private hospitals also offer better services, like higher-quality food, quieter surroundings, and faster access to treatments or surgeries.

5. Limited Mental Health Support

Some basic treatment-only policies offer mental health support. This can include access to a limited number of therapy or counselling sessions for issues like stress or anxiety. Many insurers also provide 24/7 helplines for advice and support with mental health challenges. Additionally, some policies may cover inpatient mental health care, but this is often included in more comprehensive plans.

What Treatment-Only Plans Don’t Cover

While treatment-only policies offer great cover for serious conditions, they don’t cover many common medical services. These include:

• Outpatient Consultations and Diagnostic Tests. Visits to specialists and tests like MRIs or blood work aren’t covered. You would need to pay for these yourself or use the NHS.
• Routine Medical Care. Everyday health services, such as GP visits, vaccinations, and check-ups, aren’t included.
• Chronic Condition Management. Long-term conditions like diabetes or asthma require ongoing monitoring, which isn’t covered.
• Maternity Treatment. Basic treatment-only policies don’t cover pregnancy and childbirth unless there are complications.

Why Choose a Treatment-Only Plan?

Treatment-only health insurance is a great option if you’re primarily concerned about covering the costs of serious medical conditions and hospital stays. The lower premiums make it more affordable than comprehensive policies while still giving you access to high-quality care for major health issues.

Example:

Ideal For:

• People looking for affordable private health insurance focused on hospital treatments.
• Those who don’t need frequent outpatient services but want quicker access to private treatment for major health issues.