Last Updated on Monday, 12 July 2010 14:13

Health Care Insurance

It's important to have health care insurance cover, but if you are purchasing private insurance for the first time, you likely have many questions. The following article will guide you through what health care insurance is, why people purchase it, how you can select the right health care insurance policy for you, and how to ensure you are finding the right insurance for your budget.

Think of health care insurance as a protection policy for your health. Insured people pay a monthly or annual rate in exchange for an insurance company to cover their medical treatment and hospital service. Note that each policy is very different and thus your cover depends on the plan you choose.

Purchasing health care insurance allows the user to receive medical attention without having to go onto the NHS waiting list. Utilizing a healthcare insurance plan allows the user to select the private practice where he or she chooses to have medical treatment.

People buy health care insurance to serve as a form of reassurance that they can be treated quickly if they become sick or get hurt, and that much of the medical expense will be covered by the healthcare insurance company depending on the plan. Being insured gives the user more options when it comes to when and where they can get medical attention (and by who, as they can also choose the specialist of their choice to provide the medical care). It also means that the insured will be given a private room during a hospital stay and other such luxuries that are simply not available at NHS hospitals.

All health care insurance policies are different, so it is a good idea to do some independent research and speak with a healthcare insurance agent before selecting a policy. Healthcare insurance is intended to work in conjunction with services offered by the NHS, such as regular visits to your GP as well as accident or emergency care. Healthcare insurance does not cover certain illnesses, and it likely will not cover a pre-existing condition.

There are several things health care insurance does cover, however, including treatment for acute medical conditions, such as curable, short-term illnesses and injuries; in-patient testing; surgery, hospital stays, theatre time and nursing; as well as medical consultations. Some policies may even cover outpatient tests and consultations, overseas cover, and cash payment for medical attention received as an NHS in-patient.

There are also many conditions that health care insurance does not cover in addition to the aforementioned pre-existing conditions, such as GP, Accident or Emergency visits; outpatient drugs and dressings; drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, sex change surgery, self-inflicted injuries, cosmetic treatment, and more.

Once you have determined what you'd like your health care insurance plan to cover, you should do your research to find the best policy for your budget that also covers all your needs. There are many options when it comes to purchasing healthcare insurance. Online, you can find many sites that offer comparisons of literally hundreds of healthcare insurance plans, so you can find one that suits your needs, and, ideally, your budget as well.

Before you make your purchase, be sure to review all the details of your plan thoroughly to ensure that you understand exactly what you are – and are not – covered for. In most cases, the healthcare insurance company that holds your plan will send you a document reviewing your policy. You will then have a grace period (often about two weeks) during which you can cancel the policy without penalty, unless you have filed a claim in that time.

Finally, do not forget that if you have questions about your plan or medical bills you receive, you should feel comfortable contacting your healthcare insurance agent to get informed.