S1 Direct Health Insurance QuotesWhilst NHS waiting lists may have been reduced, people can still wait a long time for treatment. There were 284,377 people at January 2010 who had been waiting over six weeks for NHS treatment. Added to this number were those waiting for specialist consultations and diagnosis.
The avoidance of waiting for treatment is one of the main reasons that people take out private health insurance policies. The Association of British Insurers estimated that over seven million people had some form of private health cover in April 2008.
Although this type of insurance may naot be as common as car or home insurance, there are still several providers with numerous policies. Common features are that they will promise prompt access to treatment and will generally have a network of hospitals and specialists. This allows a policy holder to choose a location and time that is convenient to them.
Private health insurance is not an alternative to the NHS because the hospitals that are available don't have accident and emergency departments. However, it does provide an option in other situations and also serves to reduce the pressure on NHS hospitals.
The cost of private health cover can vary widely depending on a number of factors. These include the insurer you select, the type of plan you opt for and the level of cover you receive. There are plans for individuals, couples and families, a number that provide treatment at the best hospitals and some that offer a restricted range of cover. It's worth spending some time looking at all the options before selecting a policy because they can have major consequences if the worst happens.
All stays in hospital tend to be in private ensuite rooms that have TV and radio. You may also get other benefits such as telephone-based advice and support after hospital treatment.
Unavoidably, the cost of private health insurance rises as you get older, so there may be advantages in subscribing while you're still young. When you do apply, you'll need to provide medical details, including access to your GP. There's no point in trying to hide any medical condition because you'll find it's not covered should it get worse.
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