NHS patients have had the option to upgrade their treatment since last year, meaning that they can have access to expensive drugs if they wish to pay extra. This has been extremely popular with revolutionary cancer drugs like Herceptin, but now it seems that the huge cost of these treatments are bumping up the cost of some private medical insurance policies. PMI is a highly attractive option to help pay towards the cost of upgrading NHS care, but if premiums are becoming more expensive some people may start to look for an alternative. Cash plan private health insurance, like the policies offered by Freedom Healthnet is extremely affordable, and although it doesn’t cover the cost of cancer treatment, it is ideal for topping up other forms of NHS treatment. This way, premiums are less likely to increase from their already low cost because they will not be affected by this.


More than four in ten people (42 percent) would pay for drugs that are currently not available on the NHS according to the 2008 Health of the Nation survey, which was carried out by Bupa. These often new and expensive treatments can be more effective in treating certain conditions and are undoubtedly highly sought after by sufferers. But the NHS is inevitably limited by its budget that is looking likely to be cut in the next few years as the government makes to look savings to help pay back the record amount of debt the UK is now in. The number of people who are taking out a quote for private medical insurance to enable them to upgrade their medical care in the most affordable way may increase as a result.