Under new government plans announced by The Department of Health last week, NHS hospitals will soon be allowed to produce advertisements promoting their services and may make deals with sponsors. MP’s hope the move will raise standards of care through an increase in competition; however concerns have been raised about the effects of commercialising the NHS. Bob Ricketts is the director of system management and new enterprise at the Department of Health. He told the Times, “The NHS brand is very powerful and we are not going to let any commercial activity damage that.” The move will therefore be subject to many conditions limiting the type of sponsorship the NHS can undertake, for example companies linked to gambling, alcohol, tobacco, weight control or with political interests will be banned. Advertising campaigns which may promote facts such as low MRSA rates will not be allowed to compare to other hospitals.
Plans for ‘polyclinics’ which can cater for populations of up to 50,000 have recently been favoured by ministers, but lacking NHS funds mean that the government is increasingly looking to move towards privatising healthcare to improve the system. Ultimately, what this means for private health insurance customers is that an increasing number of health care facilities will give the option of private treatments, so people will have more choice and freedom of where to have their treatment. Health insurance policies such as cash plan policies already give the option of whether to choose an NHS or a private hospital to receive medical care, so this move will ultimately heighten this choice.

If you are looking to take out a health insurance policy for your family, an insurance plan which pays out cash upon approval of inpatient claim could be just what you are looking for. They are one of the more affordable ways to provide extra security, and just like paying for any other type of medical cover, a cash plan policy allows you to pay simple monthly payments to your provider. The difference between the two occurs when a member of your family needs medical treatment. Instead of your insurance company paying the private company to carry out the care required, you are given money directly to supplement the cost of any medical help.

Cash plans overall are cheaper, with standard premiums that are not affected by your general health. This is because these policies do not require an assessment of your previous health, or a detailed physical examination unlike other private medical insurance policies.

Another difference between a cash plan policy and a regular health insurance policy is that the former gives much more freedom in choosing whether you wish to receive your medical care with a private health provider like BUPA, or simply help towards the cost of NHS treatment, such as buying prescription glasses. They prefer people to use their cover to pay for routine medical care and screenings which may help prevent illness occurring in the first place and to keep you in good general health. A private health insurance policy only gives you the option to receive your treatment in a private hospital in order to avoid NHS waiting lists, which could restrict your options, especially if you would prefer to stay in your normal medical routine.