Private Health Insurance

[Redhelen72]

Given the current state of the NHS has anyone considered going full Health Insurance - I had partial but we are now considering going full on which will also cover most of the cost of glasses for himself and I.
Are we nuts for considering this - I know its a bit of a gamble as we may not actually need it but given my legs and his asthma I am just wondering if its worth it?

[anneasquith]

I used private health care about a year ago. It was a good decision .
I’d advise young and solvent people to use PHI. The NHS is in decline , nothing can save it .
Employers should be quick and offer PHI for their workers .

[douglas9401]

Make sure you can return to the well before spending your hard-earned.
Many have a one shot per affliction thing going on.

And of course when the going gets really tough you're punted down the road to the NHS anyway.

[Sqad]

If you can afford Private health Insurance, then do so, as that is your only hope for routine health situations for the near future.

Of course, life threatening or emergencies will still be treated by the NHS.

[naomi24]

When you say 'full' health insurance I doubt you'll find a policy that covers everything you might need - or one without limitations on pre-existing conditions.

[rowanwitch]

With the exclusions for pre existing health problems I would not be covered for very much . However I would consider it as while I wouldn't be able to use it for anything related to my RA, asthma, or potentially cardiac stuff, I would still be able to use it if I developed cancer, or for age related things like cataract surgery,

[ToraToraTora]

TBH, private health care is a minefield, They'll do their best to not pay, citing pre existing conditions, non disclosure etc. Ask the Americans. The older you are the more it costs too.

[anneasquith]

The older you are , the more it costs . No kidding !!

[Sqad]

TTT....you are quite correct.
However do you pay for limited cover OR do you pay for cover that isn't available i.e NHS?

[Deskdiary]

That's not my experience Tora.

In the last five years, my wife has had foot surgery, my son had to have a circumcision, I've had my wisdom teeth out, and I've had a number of cortisone injections due to my rugby knackered knee.

Other than the £100 excess per claim, all has been paid without any questions, but best of all, for the operations all were completed within a week of referral.

[ToraToraTora]

DD, is your cover a work organised thing?

[vulcan42]

Reading through the comments it seems it all depends on the Insurance company. A friend had to have a knee replacement and discovered afterwards the premium had rocketed by about 400%.

[Deskdiary]

Yes, TTT - the firm I work for pays for family cover for me...although, of course, it is a P11D benefit.

[New Judge]

I have PHI and have used it once or twice.

However, I've taken the view that should I develop an acute condition that requires immediate attention I am very unlikely to survive. Leaving aside strikes and the like, the emergency service is simply not up to the job. I'd be lucky to get to a hospital in a timely fashion unless Mrs NJ or a neighbour could drive me there without exacerbating my condition and even if I did, I'd be fortunate to receive attention in a timely enough fashion.

Tough luck really when considering how much I've paid in tax and NI to fund the NHS during my lifetime, but that's what happens when successive governments fail to accept that the service as it stands is unfit for purpose, continue to pour endless sums of money into it and instead endlessly prattle on about it being the "envy of the world". So envious is the rest of the world of it that nowhere else has tried to replicate it or even anything remotely like it.

[ToraToraTora]

DD: "Yes, TTT - the firm I work for pays for family cover for me...although, of course, it is a P11D benefit. " - me too that's why there are no questions asked, all exclusions and existing conditions are exempt. If you go to that company as a private individual it's a whole new ball game. Basically they waive conditions because the firm is buying 1000s of policies.

[Redhelen72]

Sorry when I mean full I mean currently I have a PHI that will let me jump some queues for ops with the NHS but only after the NHS has confirmed what is wrong with me. So for example - my hernia op 3 years ago it took 6 months to be diagnosed with a hernia because of waiting for consultations etc. Was told despite it being 'urgent' and on top of the list I was still likely to be waiting a further year for the op, went to my healthcare and had the operation within 3 weeks.
The PHI we are looking at covers everything including diagnosis, glasses and hearing aids and obviously aftercare from operation and physio therapy £100 excess and £90 a month.

[ToraToraTora]

The answer the OP, if you can get it with all conditions waived via your firm then great. If you go to them as an individual it'll be expensive and they'll probably not pay anyway. I know people of my age in the US that pay over $1500 a month and even then they have to jump through a lot of hoops to get anything done. There are firms in the US that exist only to find ways for Medical insurance firms to welch on paying. Be thankful for the NHS.

[douglas9401]

Just not when the commie swine are on strike eh, TTT?

It's all a bit like keeping the sports car in the garage for a wee run out on Sunday, to me anyway.

[jno]

sorry to say I think you should. I'm using mine because I was having trouble walking and breathing at the same time and the NHS couldn't offer a basic test in the next six weeks (which was as far as their diary went). Needless to say I got one instantly once I called the insurers.

I agree with anne's diagnosis.

[naomi24]

Like jno, I also think you should. Just don’t expect it to be a ‘cure all’ though..

[rockyracoon]

I’ve got private health insurance and never had a problem making any claims, and I’ve made a few. They won’t cover chronic or pre existing conditions. It was a God send last year when I was diagnosed with a life long condition. The wait for the initial NHS appointment was over a year. The private paid for all my tests, appointments, MRIs etc, and I was diagnosed and medicated within 3 weeks.

If you can afford it, do it. The NHS is circling the drain in my opinion.