Private healthcare

[GalaxyPostcard]

After a series of NHS cock-ups I have officially lost patience with the system. It is simply not built for purpose anymore. DP and I are now looking at taking out private healthcare insurance, however we both have pre-existing conditions. Is there a private healthcare insurance provider that covers pre-existing conditions, and are there any that you would particularly recommend? Thank you!

No insurance covers pre-existing conditions, they would rapidly go bust. We are with WPA and they are excellent at paying out when needed. Depending on your conditions you may be better off putting the premiums in an ISA and paying when you need care - remember that even if you need care for something non pre-existing, they may reduce the amount they pay out e.g. if your pre-existing condition is asthma and you're admitted for a hip replacement, if they can find any reason to say that your hospital stay was longer than it would have been otherwise due to your asthma, they won't pay the full bill.

There is the option of disregarding past medical conditions. This type is usually extremely expensive because the whole point of any kind of insurance is to get it before you need to use it. However it is an option...not sure if its mostly pitched to buisness policies other than private individuals

Ive had vitality and axa- back with vitality now. I do think they are all much of a muchness because the pmi industry has pretty much the same guidelines for cover as each other noone is massively different in regards to the market.

I would however reccomend you speak to a broker who would do a whole of market review and find something to fit your needs.

Most insurance offers moratorium style underwriting where you can’t claim for pre-existing conditions for the first 2 years then you can claim if you have been trouble free (no symptoms, treatment, medication etc) for a year or 2. So if you have had conditions but they no longer affect you it’s an option to explore.

Alternatively most private hospitals offer self pay packages and credit options if you need to have one off type things.

Or you could find an employer who offers private cover for employee (and spouse/family) which normally includes pre-existing conditions. If you leave the job you can take the cover with you.

Thank you everyone, I thought this would be the case. Ach well - probably worth getting anyway given the current climate. We're both freelancers so we can't access employers insurance, sadly!

Do you belong to an umbrella organisation for your job? They might have some kind of medical cover or discount for members?

We used to have private medical insurance, but actually trying to use it was incredibly frustrating.

It's easier and cheaper to self pay a lot of the time.