Private Medical Insurance: Diagnosis Policy

What are the options?

Private Medical Insurance or Health Insurance in the UK can seem like a minefield, as many types of insurance often do. Insurers offer many different styles of policies, with many allowing the customer to ‘tailor make’ the policy and fine tube the level of cover to suit their budget. In this article, we aim to break down the options to help you make the right choice.

Here we will out line all the information you need to know about the Diagnosis Policy. Your other options are the Treatment & Care Policy or a Full Medical Insurance policy. Click the links to find out more to help you make your decision.

Treatment & Care Policy Full Medical Insurance Policy

Diagnosis Policies

Diagnosis Policies usually provide cover up to the point of, you’ve guessed it, diagnosis. Classed as a lower level of cover policy, they are designed to help policyholders speed up the agonising waiting for an appointment letter from the NHS.

Policyholders suffering symptoms can ask a GP for an open referral to a private consultant rather than an NHS consultant. The policy would then pay for all consultations and diagnostic tests to help find out what the issue is. There is no limit of the amount the insurer will pay to get the customer to diagnosis – second medical opinions are covered in full. Once a medical diagnosis has been reached, the cover will stop for that particular medical condition – the policy holder can then fund the treatment themselves privately, or, be referred back to the NHS.
Extra benefits such as Well Being apps and access to a Digital GP often come as standard with these policies which makes them more attractive.
 

Pros:

• Jump the NHS queues to get diagnosed privately
• Get in the queue for the treatment that you need on the NHS Quicker
• Cost effective option that gives peace of mind when you are unwell

Cons

• Doesn’t cover any treatment needed, which can often be costly
• Rigid policy which does not allow customers to alter the level of cover to bring costs down at renewal
• Pre-existing conditions, as with most medical insurance in the UK is not covered

Who is it right for?

Diagnosis only policies would suit customers who want to keep costs down but also feel the need to reach diagnosis quicker than what is often available on the NHS. They would also be comfortable with having the option of self-funding treatment or using the NHS.

Monthly Premium for a 45-year-old living in Manchester – £28.19 (as of 01/09/2023 –source: Aviva PMI UK)

Overall, Private Medical Insurance may feel complicated, but there really are option to suit everyone. Personal Healthcare Management specialise in finding the right policy for customers and will be happy to give unbiased advice. If you would like to discuss options please email enquiries@phealthcare.co.uk or call 01829781920.