Do you have any specific health insurance questions? Our health insurance brokers have over 15-years of experience in private medical insurance. We have put together some helpful answers to popular FAQs below.
Nothing, our health insurance services are free to our customers.
It's important to note that not all health insurance brokers are whole of market, some work from a select panel (it's always best to check ahead of time that a full review will be conducted).
Most brokers will offer:
For further information see our blog on Misconceptions of Health Insurance Brokers
Health Insurance can complement the services of the NHS by providing cover for the cost of prompt access to private treatment, and access to cancer drugs and services not always available on the NHS.
Timely access to healthcare:
Choice of healthcare:
High-quality private hospital:
For further information see our blog on Benefits of health insurance in the UK
Private Medical Insurance (Health Insurance) is designed to cover the cost of private medical treatment for ‘acute conditions’ that start after your policy begins.
PMI is available at a range of different levels of cover at various premiums designed to meet the needs of different customers. For example, you can have choices around the types of treatment covered, what level of cover will apply to those treatments, the location where your treatment is provided and the contribution you might be willing to make to the treatment cost (called ‘the excess’).
Cover usually includes:
Cover my also include:
The cost of your health insurance depends on several factors including:
Your health insurance policy is unique to you and the cost will also depend on the level of cover you want. For example, you can choose the level of excess you want to pay. You can also choose how much allowance you will have for some types of treatments or appointments.
Yes – you can add your partner or dependents onto your policy at any time, providing you live at the same address.
The cost of your couple’s health insurance or family health insurance will depend on several factors. These include where you live, your ages, your health and how much excess you choose to pay.
If you’d like to add someone onto your health insurance policy, call us on 01892 251 274.
There are a few ways to lower the cost of your health insurance cover. It’s important to remember that a cheaper plan might not provide all the cover you need.
You could choose a higher excess, limit/remove outpatient cover, reduce hospital access, or introduce a 6-week rule to reduce the monthly cost of your health insurance. Some health insurance comes with savings if you a insure couple or your family.
Several factors influence the cost of your health insurance. Lifestyle choices, like smoking for example, may increase your monthly premium. So, if you choose to stop smoking, it’s important to let us know, as this may reduce the cost of your cover.
It’s important to compare health insurance policies before you decide on the right one for you. You can choose between individual, couples, or family health insurance.
The best health insurance providers will make it clear what’s available and what isn’t, to help you decide on the best policy. It’s important to look at exactly what’s covered, and what isn’t, before you take out health insurance.
You can compare health insurance plans for free by speaking to a representative from Private Medical Insurance Brokers, just call us on 01892 251 274 to discuss your options.
Your health insurance policy will begin from the moment you’ve chosen to start your policy and set up your Direct Debit. Once you’re set up. The insurer will send you your policy documents. Here you’ll find details of what is and isn’t covered. All policies are different, it’s important to check yours thoroughly.
Yes, unfortunately most premiums will rise at least in line with medical inflation which currently runs at between 10-12% per annum. Some Insurers offer No claims Discounts. However, the older you get the more likely you are to claim meaning that premiums will usually increase with age to reflect this.
If you’re worried about future increases, speak with a representative from Private Medical Insurance Brokers. We annually review your health insurance to ensure you always receive the best value for money.
Certain insurers do have upper age limits for joining, however, No – there isn’t an age limit for taking out health insurance cover. To be fair to everyone, age is one of the factors they use to calculate the cost of your policy.
The benefits of taking out health insurance when you get older are the same as with any age.
Whatever your age, if you are looking to take out health insurance, start the process online, or call us on 01892 251 274.
Before you receive any treatment, it is essential to contact your insurer to check that you are covered for the treatment you will receive. If you have any problems during this process, you can speak with a representative from Private Medical Insurance Brokers.
Health insurance is designed to cover conditions that develop after your cover has started. This means you wouldn’t be covered for conditions you had before your cover started. Insurers often call these pre-existing conditions.
You also wouldn’t be covered for issues that relate to your pre-existing conditions. Although in some circumstances your insurer may cover some symptoms. Always ask your insurer if you need help understanding what your policy covers.
When you take discuss health insurance with us, we’ll ask you about your medical history. We’ll then be able to confirm what type of underwriting best suits your requirements.
Your policy also may not cover any ongoing or incurable conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis. Insurers often call these chronic conditions.
A chronic condition is a condition that:
Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim for chronic condition flare-ups. Always check with your insurer if you’re unsure whether you’re covered.
Other general exclusions include:
Health insurance underwriting is the way an insurer will asses your medical history, this is how health insurers determine if a condition is covered, or not, usually at the point of claiming.
Individual policy
If you don't currently hold a health insurance policy you will need to provide some information to the broker/insurer. You must answer all questions as fully and accurately as you can, to the best of your knowledge and belief. Brokers and Insurers will only ask you for information that is relevant to the cover you are applying for. There are 2 mains methods that insurers use to underwrite your application for Private Medical Insurance cover:
1, Full medical underwriting
2, Moratorium underwriting
If you currently hold health insurance there is a 3rd option:
3, Switch underwriting / CPME (Continued Personal Medical Exclusions)
Company / SME (Small and medium-sized enterprises) policy
Company health insurance plans will have access to they types of underwriting listed above, however there are usually less questions asked when transferring between insurers and (subject to company size) there is a further method of underwriting available:
This type of underwriting means you do not need to tell the insurer about your medical history when you apply for the policy. If you claim, however, your insurer might ask for medical notes that are needed to decide if your claim can be covered, as the insurer will not cover treatment for any medical condition that you have received treatment for, taken medication for, asked advice on or had symptoms of which predates the starting date of the policy.
In other words, you will not be covered for any condition that existed in the past few years (usually, this is in the last 5 years but the period of time may vary). Each moratorium works slightly differently so you may want to check with the broker/insurer or read your policy documents so you can understand what this means for you.
Some moratorium plans will allow cover for past medical conditions, provided the member completes a period of time treatment, symptom, medication, and advise free of that (and any related) issue, usually the insurer will want a member to be on cover for 2 years and fulfil the term above for a 2 year period, before a past condition could become eligible again.
For further information see our blog on Moratorium vs Full Medical Underwriting
With full medical underwriting will be asked to give details of your medical history at the point of joining. With your consent, the insurer may write to your doctor for more information, but they do not do so in every case.
You must give all the information you are asked for. If you are unsure whether to mention something, it is best to do so. If you do not, your insurer may refuse to pay your claim and/or cancel your policy.
If you have a medical condition that is likely to come back, the insurer will issue a policy, but that medical condition (and anything related to it) might not be covered. This will be confirmed in writing.
For further information see our blog on Moratorium vs Full Medical Underwriting
If you currently hold health insurance you have the option to transfer (switch) their underwriting from your current insurer to a new insurer, thereby ensuring cover for conditions that are currently covered, this is subject to the new insurers medical questions.
Some insurers will allow a transfer of underwriting despite ongoing conditions, however the ongoing condition will usually be excluded from any further benefit with the new insurer, if you're unsure about this it's best to speak to a broker or your new insurer about any potential terms that would be applied before transferring.
For further information see our blog on Switch Underwriting
Medical History Disregarded (MHD) underwriting as the name suggests disregards your past medical history, thereby covering all past medical conditions, this is still subject to the terms and conditions of the health insurer and policy chosen.
MHD is the most expensive type of underwriting available due to the added risk to the insurer, it is only offered through certain company health insurance plans.
Talk to us today, if we don't know the answer we'll know where to find it.
Call on: 01892251274 or email: info@pmibrokers.com
Telephone: 01892251274
Email: info@pmibrokers.com
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