Before you jump into comparing health insurance schemes, you might want to consider what coverage you want your policy to provide you because your personal circumstances will determine the right cover for any kind of insurance. If this is the first time you are purchasing private health insurance, here are a few factors to keep in mind to ensure you’re picking the right type of policy.
The kind of treatments you want to be covered
You need to take into account what treatments or illnesses the policy covers. For instance, if you visit the physiotherapist often, you should check whether the policy offers coverage specific to physiotherapy.
Pre-existing conditions
Typically, most health insurance providers don’t cover pre-existing conditions. So, if you have a pre-existing ailment, you need to factor in whether the policy you want offers coverage for it.
Different types of policies
There’s a wide selection of policies to choose from, but you need to select one that fits your needs. While some people prefer lower-cost options, others look at policies that offer comprehensive coverage. You may even want to look into couple health insurance or family health insurance policies that can bring you extra value.
Benefit limits
The right benefit limit again will depend on your needs. So, if you foresee yourself getting physiotherapy or diagnostic tests, you’ll want to look at policies that can give you high outpatient benefit limits. Some insurance providers may have a limit to their outpatient cover, which means you’ll only get coverage for a certain amount every year. For instance, if the cost of an initial outpatient consultation ranges from £150 to £250 and the outpatient benefit limit is £500, that limit could instantly be exhausted if you get a few tests done along with your consultation.
Additional perks
You can check whether the insurance provider you like is offering additional benefits with their cover and if those perks interest you. These can include access to around-the-clock advice through a helpline or exclusive member deals.
The excess you want to pay
Like a majority of insurance schemes, health insurance policies may have an excess. The level of excess you select is the payment you’ll have to make towards any treatment you receive. A higher excess will lower the cost of the policy and vice versa.