Anyone with health insurance able to explain to me?

[Nogodsnomasters]

Hi,

Background is: I have GERD and have been on medication for 4yrs, tried 3 different kinds, have massively restricted my diet, I'm not overweight, I've quit smoking - literally done everything possible to help myself and still suffering and can no longer take it on top of my IBS. I've had tests which show no hernia, no ulcers, no tumours, no structural issues - so obviously a problem with my LES valve.

I've researched surgery options and the best one available and the one I'd prefer the most is a newish procedure called refluxstop implant. The NHS have performed this twice only but it will be rolled out further, however I'm in Northern Ireland and it'll be years and years before it reaches here. There is private clinics in England who can perform it. Unfortunately I cannot afford to outright pay for this plus the flights and hotel stay I'd need for travel.

So if you've made it this far my actual question is - if I take out private health insurance and pay into it for the right amount of time, can I ask for surgery in another UK country with a clinic of my choice and that would be covered or partially covered or does it not work like that at all?

Thanks

It depends on the policy but they don't usually cover pre-existing conditions.

Wouldn’t you have to declare it as an existing condition which might mean they could exclude the procedure?

I have no clue as I've never had health insurance before. I know my cousin was referred for sinus polyp surgery on the NHS and the wait list was 9 months so she went through her private health insurance for it, she'd had the insurance policy for about 6 months and the sinus issues for like 2yrs, unaware of whether she declared it or not.