August 4th, 2011
Freedom Elite and Worldwide Policies were awarded 8 out of 10 by Health Insurance Magazine and attained product of the month in August 2011. Health Insurance Magazine is written by independent and award winning journalists for professional intermediaries, involved in providing health insurance and protection products to both individuals and companies.
The best features of the policies as stated by Health Insurance were as follows:-
1/Two related plans with a wide choice of benefits and options between them.
2/The opportunity to switch between the two without further underwriting.
3/ Cover can be tailored to need and budget
To read the review in full, please click here
Posted in Company Medical Insurance, Expat medical insurance, International Medical Insurance, Medical Insurance Policy, Private Health Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, iPMI, private healthcare | No Comments »
May 30th, 2011
Health insurance does not cover all medical eventualities. Making sure that you are aware of the exclusions on your private health insurance is vital, so you know what is and what is not covered.
1. Chronic conditions. These are categorised as a disease, illness or injury which has at least one of the following characteristics:
• It continues indefinitely and has no know cure
• It comes back or is likely to come back
• It is permanent
• You need to be rehabilitated or specially trained to cope with it
• It needs long term monitoring, consultations, check-ups, examinations or tests
2. Pregnancy. Pregnancy services are not covered by many health insurance companies, although pregnant women who present with other medical conditions can claim if they have been with a medical insurer for a designated period of time. This length of time varies from insurer to insurer.
3. Emergency medicine. Private hospitals are not equipped to deal with emergencies. This is one of the strengths of the NHS. Patients can be referred under the terms of their health insurance once they have been stabilised.
4. Pre-existing medical conditions. Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered by health insurance policies. Medical insurance is designed to cover you for unexpected acute medical conditions only. If you are diagnosed with a new chronic condition then an insurance company may cover you for the diagnostic tests that led up to the diagnosis.
5. GP consultations. Most people use NHS GP’s who can then refer them to private health hospitals and consultants. However health insurance companies do not pay for private GP consultations, unless you have that specifically as an option on your policy. Additionally, NHS GP’s sometimes charge for private referral and these fees are not covered either under health insurance policies.
6. Cosmetic surgery. Elective cosmetic surgery that is not part of a medical problem is not covered under health insurance policies.
7. Dental treatment. There are many cash plan insurers that cover dental treatment but this is not covered by normal health insurance companies. This may be an optional extra on your policy.
8. Other things not covered: Drug, solvent and alcohol abuse; HIV/AIDS
It is important to refer to policy documents to find out exactly what your policy exclusions are.
Tags: exclusions
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April 21st, 2011
Immigrants from TB countries arriving in the UK are currently screened for TB (Tuberculosis) but a study in the Lancet notes that this is ineffective and different measures need to be taken.
Currently chest Xrays are used to detect TB but this is only good for active infections. It misses those who are in the process of developing the disease or in those where the infection lies dormant in the lungs.
Lungs infected with Tuberculosis img cr: BBC
The study by Imperial College London looked at 1000 immigrants and they noted that Xrays would be ineffectual but that blood test would be far more effective in identifying those carrying the disease.
The incidences of TB in the UK has risen dramatically since 2000 largely because of immigration from countries where the disease is prevalent. Immigrants from those countries are currently given an Xray to identify if they have the disease and are then treated if found to be infected. The study highlights that this is not a good way to identify all carriers and a blood test is required.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease which affects the lungs. It is passed via droplet infection (e.g. coughs, sneezing and other transfer of fluid from the lungs). The disease is treatable with a course of antibiotics, if left untreated it can spread rapidly. There are about 9000 cases of TB in the UK every year, many of which are centred in large cities such as London.
Is tuberculosis covered under my private medical insurance?
Comprehensive medical insurance policies, such as those offered by Freedom Healthnet should cover initial investigations, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. It is worth noting, however, that TB can result in long term problems with the lungs, such as breathing difficulties, or even result in problems with the kidneys.
Find out more about private medical insurance or get a quote online for health insurance.
Tags: freedom healthnet, TB, Tuberculosis
Posted in Private Health Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, health news | No Comments »
April 6th, 2011
With the increased media interest in health and the NHS, why are more people turning to private medical insurance?
The latest NHS reforms dominate the news at the moment with the general public finally being consulted on their view about competition with private health services, budget control and healthcare. The NHS in turmoil naturally leads people to question the effectiveness of their current service and, indeed, their future health provision.
Previously to that, the problems with superbugs in hospitals, waiting times, mixed wards, the constant cost-cutting and closure of wards and hospitals, etc. were major causes of concern.
The NHS is an excellent health service and we are very lucky to have this in the UK. However, for non-urgent procedures patients can be waiting months for treatment. This can mean a poor quality of life in the interim; it can mean long term absence from work; it can mean a drop in income to SSP after a certain period of time; it can perhaps put jobs in jeopardy as employers seek to make cost reductions through redundancies. For self-employed people or sole traders, it is even more worrying. People cannot afford not to work during a recession.
For many people in these difficult times, it is necessary to think about protecting their source of income through protecting their health. Naturally, a healthy lifestyle is the first priority. Private health insurance also helps. Medical cover can help you to get back to work more quickly and it might cost much less than you think.
Imagine being told you have to have an operation but the waiting time was 10 weeks or 18 weeks? How would that impact upon your life? Your family’s life? Your working life? Health insurance cover would ensure that you would be able to have your operation at a time of your choosing helping you to resume normal working and family life. Some medical insurance policies will also cover rehabilitation costs, if needed and therapies.
When you are looking to take out private medical insurance, you have two main choices: cashplan or comprehensive health insurance. The cashplan policy will pay out a cash lump sum upon approval of inpatient claim. You then can choose to get treated in a private hospital of your choice as a self pay patient or you can wait on the NHS and keep the money.
The other option is traditional, comprehensive private health insurance which covers you for treatment in the hospitals on your selected list and for the level of cover you select. Payment is made directly by the insurer to the treatment centre. You can select the basic hospital list which covers regional and some London hospitals; the London list which also covers hospitals like the Portland and the Harley Street Clinic; or the London Premier which includes the Cromwell and a couple of other top London hospitals. Cover can include additional options such as dental, optical and private GP cover. You can select full outpatient cover and choose levels of other cover options. Cancer cover with many health insurers such as Freedom Healthnet is standard with basic levels of cover. Cancer insurance care is subject to cancer guidelines.
Private health insurance costs less than you think: a typical 30 year old non smoker could pay 50p per day on a cashplan policy and £1 a day for comprehensive private health insurance cover.
Tags: comprehensive medical insurance, freedomhealthnet, Private Health Insurance, Private Medical Insurance
Posted in Private Health Insurance, Private Medical Insurance | 1 Comment »
March 30th, 2011
What private hospitals can you use when you have comprehensive medical insurance? You would think that you had access to most of the private hospitals in the UK, wouldn’t you? The answer is yes …. and no.
If you live outside of London then you would probably be correct. Regional hospitals tend to be less expensive than London hospitals and so your medical insurance company will probably include these within your hospital list. Naturally, most people in the UK live outside of London so this may suit them.
If you are with a health insurer that has a treatment network, such as BUPA, then you would be restricted to the hospitals and treatment centres on their list. They have been in the press recently where they were the subject of complaints by treatment providers who could not treat patients under the BUPA scheme, despite complying with and attaining the necessary criteria to be within the network. The OFT is also investigating treatment networks to see if they are a constraint on consumers. So, with treatment networks you are restricted to those hospitals within that network.
If you live within London, then the private hosptials are more expensive and this may be covered within your medical insurance policy either by a loading according to your address – which is what some providers do – or by having an option to select ‘London Hospitals’ when you take out your policy.
Even within London, there are top hospitals which charge a premium. These are hospitals such as The Cromwell , the London Clinic and the Hosptial of St John and St Elizabeth. These can be selected if you specifically wish to be treated in these locations. There are other premier London hospitals that may be included by your health insurer.
As with every aspect of private medical insurance, it is imperative to ensure that you are fully covered for everything you think you or your loved ones may require. This may be cancer, physiotherapy or psychiatric treatment. Or it may be that you know that you would like the option to be treated at the Cromwell or another London premier hospital. In which case, it is vital that you take out these options when you get your medical insurance cover.
Freedom Healthnet offers two types of policies.
- A cashplan, which you can then use to self-pay in a hospital of your choice, subject to approval of inpatient claim. You arrange the price directly with the hospital so there may be a shortfall or there may be an excess amount left over after treatment – depending upon the hosptial you choose to be treated in.
- A comprehensive medical insurance policy which has 3 hospital lists.
- The ’standard’ hospital list which covers most private hospitals in the regions and a selection of London private hospitals
- The ‘Plus’ Hospital list which covers additional London hospitals such as the Harley Street Clinic, Portland Hospital; Princess Grace Hospital and the Wellington and Lister Hospitals
- The London Premier Hospital List. This includes all of the aforementioned hospitals plus the BUPA Cromwell, London Clinic and the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth. This list is included with the executive level of medical cover.
What is the most important advice about medical insurance and private hospitals?
- Decide what level of cover you need
- Do you require London hospital cover
- Select the level of London cover
- Read the policy carefully to make sure that you have everything you need.
Find out more about private medical insurance and what it covers. Or get a quote for comprehensive medical cover and select all options for London premier hospitals.
The Cromwell hospital is one of the London premier treatment centres that hits the news as many well known people opt for treatment there. This list includes the Queen Mother, George Best, Cheryl Cole and Margaret Thatcher.
Tags: comprehensive medical insurance, london hosptials, medical insurance, private hospitals, Private Medical Insurance
Posted in Private Medical Insurance, Uncategorized | No Comments »
March 20th, 2011
Can you get medical insurance cover if you have a pre existing condition? What is a pre-existing condition and why is it not insured?
A pre-existing condition is an illness that has received medication or advice or treatment or you have suffered symptoms of this in the 5 years previous. If you have a history of an illness within this time frame there is a possibility of it reoccurring. Therefore, this is not covered for two years after starting your medical policy. Depending upon the condition, after that time it should be covered.
So, for example, if someone applying for a medical insurance policy had a serious condition 8 years ago and had been symptom and treatment-free for all of that time, any recurrence of that condition could be covered. This person could be covered by the health insurance provider on a moratorium basis. This is cover for the cost of the treatment of acute conditions which arise after the commencement of the medical policy. It excludes treatment of pre-existing conditions (see above). Any conditions related to the previous condition would not be covered, either, until the whole condition becomes eligible after the correct amount of time has elapsed.
However, if the condition had occured in the more recent past then it would be necessary for the policy-holder to take out a different type of health insurance. This is known as FMU – full medical underwriting. This means that you can be accepted for medical insurance but you would need to disclose certain health information and exclusions would be applied to the policy.
It is always imp0rtant to communicate as much information as possible to the medical insurance advisor so that they can best advise you. The medical insurer cannot cover you for pre-existing conditions. How happy would you be if you took out a policy and then tried to claim for a pre-exiting condition only to be told that you are not covered? If you do take out a moratorium policy (the most common type) then you do not have to disclose anything. You do need to be aware, however, that in the event of a claim for that condition you would not be covered.
Do people still take out private medical insurance even if they have a serious condition? Yes, they do. Even if a person has diabetes or asthma, for instance, they could take out cover for other conditions. The NHS provides effective treatment for diabetes and for asthma. Your private medical insurance would then c0ver you for any (non-related) conditions that develop.
Yes, you can get medical cover even if you have a pre-existing condition. But, it may have conditions attached to it.
Tags: medical insurance, pre-existing medical insurance
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March 10th, 2011
Freedom Healthnet affirmed the benefits of private health insurance as the company launched a range of new comprehensive health insurance policies.
Freedom Healthnet is already a market leader in the UK for health insurance, providing policies to both private individuals as well as companies and this new suite of insurances offers a wider range of medical options to the discerning client.
According to CEO, Nahid Salehi, “Freedom Healthnet has always been an innovative company looking to serve the practical needs of modern society in new and exciting ways. These new medical insurance policies offer basic cover through to cover for top london hospitals, private GPs, etc.”
Freedom Healthnet was the first company in the UK to radically change how private health insurance is used, by offering a cash payment on a claim, rather than simply paying medical bills. This gives Freedom Healthnet’s customers the choice of where and how to take their medical treatment, whether at home or aboard, public or NHS, using the cash from a health insurance policy payout.
Freedom Healthnet Ltd is also pioneering elements of private health insurance for people who have to spend significant time working overseas to ensure they are appropriately covered both in the UK and abroad.
Nahid Salehi continues, “It doesn’t matter whether it’s an individual looking for private medical insurance or a company looking to develop a group or company medical insurance scheme, we’ve made sure that Freedom Healthnet can provide for them. Even still, we’re not resting on our laurels, and intend to push the envelope further in terms of how we can tailor health insurance provision to the widest range of needs.”
Contact:
Hooshiar Mires
Freedom Healthnet (http://www.freedomhealthnet.com)
Bourne Gate
25 Bourne Valley Road
Poole
BH1 1DY
08703 50 40 30
Tags: freedom healthnet, Freedom Healthnet Insurance, Freedom Insurance
Posted in Health Insurance Policy, Medical Insurance Policy, Private Health Insurance, Private Medical Insurance | No Comments »
March 10th, 2011
In yet another top news story focusing on the problems with the NHS the Queen Alexandra Hospital has announced the loss of 700 jobs and the closure of 3 wards.
Opening in July 2009 after a £256 million rebuild, the Cosham hospital has confirmed the closure of 100 beds to reduce its defecit. Even with the £29 million savings from this financial year as a result of this drastic action, the hospital will still have a defecit of £6 million. Finance director Robert Toole noted that this situation was common across the NHS.
Closures of this type and other issues with the NHS are causing increasing numbers of people to invest in their own healthcare in the form of private medical insurance so that they can be assured of prompt treatment* should the situation occur.
Freedom healthnet health insurances are either cashplan policies or fully comprehensive medical insurance policies, to suit your lifestyle and your budget. Get an online quote for health insurance and compare how little it could cost.
*subject to approval of inpatient claim. Please note: it is important to read all health insurance policy details, exclusions and pre existing condition definitions before taking out any private medical insurance policy.
Tags: freedom healthnet, hospital wards closed, NHS, nhs news, Private Medical Insurance
Posted in NHS, Private Medical Insurance, health news | 1 Comment »
March 7th, 2011
Tory MP Sir Paul Beresford is calling for tax breaks for pensioners to help pay for private medical insurance.
The move, he claims, would encourage the take-up of private health insurance in older people and therefore would help to ease the burden on the NHS.
As reported recently, the bed blocking situation caused by the ageing population within the UK is causing a strain on the NHS and this could get worse over time. Sir Beresford told MP’s that many pensioners lost their employee medical cover benefit once they retired or they simply could not afford to continue to pay premiums after retirement.
Beresford’s Medical Insurance (Pensioner Tax Relief) Bill will “allow basic rate tax relief for pensioners of 65 plus…. rising as and when pensionable age increases. It will encourage these people either to keep health insurance or take out health insurance just as they reach the period of their life when demand can be expected to increase. If they do not have, or cease, their insurance they would add to the call on the National Health Service.”
Whilst this is an excellent idea to help pensioners maintain their health insurance policies, parliamentary time may be the stumbling block for this particular Bill as it was unopposed during its initial reading.
Freedom Healthnet Managing Director, Hooshiar Mires, noted “It is an excellent idea to give tax relief to pensioners, but this bill doesn’t go far enough. As something that takes the strain off the over-burdened NHS, private health insurance should have a greater tax incentive for older people plus tax relief for all individuals savvy enough to invest in their health.”
Freedom Healthnet covers new policy-holders up to age 74 and then, once you have a policy with Freedom, you are covered for the duration of the policy.
Tags: freedom healthnet, oap tax relief pmi, Private Health Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, tax relief health insurance, tax relief medical insurance
Posted in Private Medical Insurance, health news | No Comments »
January 24th, 2011
When people talk about health insurance they normally mention the wonderful benefits and reassurance that it can provide but what is seldom talked about is what it does not cover. Its important to know about this so that you have realistic expectations and also so that when you go to make a claim you can be happy in the knowledge that you know your policy well and there will be no surprises.
The Freedom Healthnet Elite health insurance policy is slightly different in that is does provide cover in ways that other health insurance policies do not and this is what makes it unique.
Pre-existing conditions
Normally medical insurance will not cover you for a pre-existing condition. You have to be free of symptoms of a past condition for five years from the date you take up your health cover.
Chronic conditions
Chronic conditions are those that are long term and need managing. For example asthma or arthritis. However sometimes policies can provide cover for unusual ‘flare ups’ that need to be controlled for you to carry on leading a normal life again even if your condition is chronic. Additionally if you present with a new acute condition that ends up being a chronic condition you are normally covered for your initial investigations.
With Freedom Elite comprehensive medical insurance however you are covered for chronic conditions under their Executive Option.
Emergency medicine
Medical insurance is not designed to cover emergency medicine. However after a visit to an emergency NHS department you can be moved to a private hospital once your condition has stabilised.
Addictions
Private health insurance is not designed to cover problems that are related to drug, solvent or alcohol abuse.
Cosmetic Surgery
Health cover is not designed to cover cosmetic surgery that is elective. Sometimes policies will provide cover for cosmetic procedures that are related to your condition. For example, if a person had to have a mastectomy then a breast reconstruction done during that surgery would be covered. Conversely if you then decided later on that you wanted to have the other breast done for cosmetic reasons, that would not be covered.
No GP referral
Any treatment that you undertake without GP referral will not be covered under the terms of your health insurance. The GP is the first port of call when it comes to health care insurance. This protects you and the insurer.
Self-inflicted injuries
Even though self-harm may be triggered by an acute psychiatric attack it is not covered by any health policies. If you have psychiatric cover you can be treated for psychological problems but not if they have been preceded by a self-harm incident.
Professional sports injuries
Normal health insurance cover does not treat professional sports injuries. The risk for insurance companies is too great in this area.
HIV/AIDS
These conditions are taken to be chronic conditions and are not covered by any health insurer.
The above is not a comprehensive list of exclusions. Policy documents should always be referred to when looking into private health insurance.
Tags: comprehensive medical insurance, Freedom Elite, Freedom Elite health insurance, health cover, health insurance, health insurer, medical insurance
Posted in Health Insurance Policy, Medical Insurance Policy, Private Health Insurance, Private Medical Insurance | No Comments »
