The cost of private medical insurance has decreased in recent years, meaning that it is now more accessible and affordable to the British public. With increasing numbers of people wishing to take out health insurance policies, and with a wide range of cover available, it can become confusing. Private medical insurance itself goes by many different names, but the terms hospital plan, health plan, health insurance and cash plan all essentially have the same purpose in assisting you with the cost of private healthcare.

Over 3.4 million people in the UK have decided to take out a health insurance policy and this has been for many reasons. Long NHS waiting lists and a lack of choice over when and where someone can receive their treatment are two major causes for concern. A private medical insurance policy gives the freedom and peace of mind in knowing that care is available in the space of a few days if it becomes necessary.

An even higher level of freedom is given if someone decides to take out a cash plan policy, where the insurance provider will pay the customer money towards the cost of treatment rather than paying it directly like regular health insurance. This gives the patient the increased choice of whether to use the money to supplement care from the NHS or whether to use it to pay for private treatment. Cash plans are often a more affordable way of ensuring that the best facilities are available to you in case you need them, but fully comprehensive policies are available which may also cover the cost of alternative treatments such as acupuncture and reflexology, as well as physiotherapy and chiropractic care.