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What types of health insurance can I get?

There are a few different types of health insurance policies out there, each covering different treatments. It’s important to understand the differences so you can find the right insurance for you.

Cover varies depending on each provider, but below are examples of some of the types of treatments you can find cover for:

  • Outpatient treatments. An outpatient is someone who visits a hospital for tests or consultations without staying overnight. Health insurance would cover you for these treatments.
  • In-patient treatments. An in-patient is someone who is admitted to hospital whilst undergoing treatment. Health insurance would cover you for these treatments as well as your stay in hospital.
  • Day-patient treatment. A day patient is someone who takes up a bed in hospital but does not stay over night, returning home after their test or procedure.
  • Radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Many providers offer cancer cover which can include cover for surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
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How can I save on my health insurance?

Just like other types of insurance, there are little tips and tricks that you can do to bring down your premiums. Health insurance can be one of the most expensive types of insurance out there so check out our list of handy hacks that could potentially end up saving you hundreds of pounds.

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  • Opt to pay a higher excess. Like with other types of insurance, you can often bring down the price of premiums by opting to pay a higher excess in the event of a claim. However, it is important to keep it to an affordable figure in keeping with your lifestyle and budget.
  • Don’t pay for services you don’t need. This may seem like an obvious point, but there is no need to pay for cover that you don’t need. This may mean opting for a more basic policy or tailoring a policy to suit your specific requirements.
  • Shop around. One of the best ways to find the best deal is to compare providers and policies. Don’t forget, it’s important to compare policy features as well as price.
  • Use a broker. One way of cutting down costs or increasing your policy features is to go through a broker. Brokers can negotiate with insurers on your behalf, they can also often offer advice on which policy is right for you.
  • Healthier lifestyle. If you live a healthy lifestyle, you’re less likely to claim and therefore less of a risk to health insurers. In the world of insurance, risk equals low premiums. So if you’re looking to save money on your private health care policy then quit smoking and hit the gym.

How do I compare health insurance providers?

Now that you hopefully have an idea of the types of treatments you can get cover for with health insurance, you’re probably keen to dive right in and start comparing policies. However, there are still some final points to consider before you compare.

  • Include all costs. Don’t forget, when adding up the price of your premiums to include additional costs that may also accompany your health insurance policy, including excess payments and/or administration fees.
  • Know your claim limits. Each health insurance policy will have a maximum monetary amount for each claim. Make sure you are aware of the claim limits for each provider you compare.

What isn’t covered under health insurance?

There are some common policy exclusions when it comes to health insurance. Generally you would not receive cover for the following:

  • A&E visits. Unfortunately, if you’re rushed to Accident and Emergency and treated, you won’t be able to claim on your health insurance.
  • Chronic conditions. Health insurance does not cover conditions that are long term or cannot be cured, for example asthma or diabetes.
  • Pre-existing conditions. Your health insurance won’t cover you for conditions that you had previously developed before your policy began.
  • Organ transplants. You’re not likely to find health insurance cover for organ transplants.
  • Cosmetic surgery to improve your appearance. This is also not something that health insurance usually covers, however many insurers will pay for ‘eligible’ surgery required to restore appearance following an accident or cancer surgery.
  • Pregnancy or childbirth costs. Complications during pregnancy or childbirth may be covered by your insurer but delivery costs are normally exlcluded.

How can we help?

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The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products we can track; we don't cover every product on the market...yet. Unless we've indicated otherwise, products are shown in no particular order or ranking. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations), aren't product ratings, although we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it; this is subject to our terms of use. When making a big financial decision, it's wise to consider getting independent financial advice, and always consider your own financial circumstances when comparing products so you get what's right for you.

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