Who we are
It’s important to us that you get to know who is looking out for your financial future. Meet our team and discover our experience and see why we are perfectly placed to provide you financial advice.
Find out more about us23rd December 2019
In the UK, most of our health needs are met by the NHS. Our health service covers everything from broken bones to cancer treatments and is considered to be one of the world’s best public healthcare systems. Given the expanse and quality of the NHS, we ask ourselves – why have private health insurance? Here’s our breakdown.
Private health insurance covers the cost of certain treatments and procedures at private healthcare facilities. The extent of what the insurance covers is determined by the individual policy – as a general rule, though, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic surgery, and pregnancies are not included.
Although private health insurance might seem tempting, it’s not for everyone. The high costs and limitations in coverage certainly dissuade many, as does the fact that a good level of healthcare is provided by the NHS. There are however a number of alternatives to taking out an expensive private health insurance policy.
Often included as part of life insurance policies, critical illness cover will pay-out in the event that you suffer from a certain condition. The point of the policy isn’t to help you pay for medical treatment (although you can, of course), but to help you meet costs when you’re unable to work due to ill-health.
You don’t need to have private health insurance to be able to access private healthcare. A more cost-effective way of receiving a private service is to sign up to a cash plan. This essentially means selecting a particular service with a private practitioner, whether it be for dental treatment or a series of chiropractor sessions, and spreading the cost over a period of time.
Another alternative is simply to open a savings account and put away as much as you can afford, ready to be used for private healthcare should the need arise. In the UK, you’re allowed to save up to £20,000 tax-free annually in an ISA.
Private health insurance can help individuals access fast, high-quality medical treatment – but often at a steep cost. Weigh up the price with the benefits you’d receive to determine if it’s worth the high premiums, and if not, consider the alternatives to give you peace of mind when considering healthcare options.
At IMC, our expert financial advisors can help you to manage and grow your finances. Whether you need advice on pension planning, investments, mortgages, or life insurance, get in contact with us and see how we can help.
It’s important to us that you get to know who is looking out for your financial future. Meet our team and discover our experience and see why we are perfectly placed to provide you financial advice.
Find out more about us