| The cost of health care has increased substantially | | | | share the cost of your medical expenses with your |
| over the past decade, so it should be no surprise that | | | | insurance provider. Rather than paying a fixed excess |
| the cost of private medical insurance has followed suit. | | | | cost, you agree to pay a percentage of your |
| With premiums up from around annually to 18 | | | | treatment cost up to a predetermined cap. |
| according to Data Monitor, it is becoming harder for | | | | Pay for your own treatment |
| many people to afford private medical insurance at all. | | | | A new class of payment type for private health care |
| There are ways to cut costs and still get quality cover | | | | costs is to pay for your own expenses without |
| and quality medical care, though. Here are a few | | | | insurance. There are private hospitals that offer fixed |
| suggestions for getting quality health insurance for you | | | | rate operations to allow you to shop around and |
| and your family on a budget. | | | | budget for an operation rather than wait for your turn |
| Downgrade from comprehensive cover | | | | on the NHS. |
| If you've been paying for comprehensive PMI, you | | | | Private treatment at NHS facilities |
| may reduce your costs by downgrading to a budget | | | | If you opt to pay your own medical expenses, one |
| plan. There are a number of budget plan types | | | | option to look into is using private facilities at NHS |
| available. One of the most common methods of | | | | hospitals. The cost may be cheaper than the same |
| reducing costs on PMI is to exclude cover for some | | | | treatment at a private hospital. |
| types of treatments. Those treatments may include | | | | Employer based PMI |
| tests, complementary health care and psychiatric care. | | | | Check to find out if your employer offers PMI as a |
| Exclusions are one way to cut costs t if you end up | | | | company benefit. Group rates for private health |
| needing tests, scans or physical therapy, or any other | | | | insurance are considerably cheaper than individual, so |
| type of treatment not covered, you could wind up | | | | even if your employer requires you to make a |
| paying far more out of your pocket than you would | | | | contribution, it's likely to save you a good amount of |
| have paid for the extra cover. | | | | money on your health insurance policy. |
| Agree to a higher excess | | | | Depending on the policy and the company, you may |
| Another popular way to lower premiums is to opt for | | | | also be able to get cover for your spouse and children. |
| a higher excess. You can lower your premiums by | | | | In some of the larger companies, you may even be |
| well over 50% if you choose to accept a high excess. | | | | able to get cover if you have a pre-existing condition. |
| If you do choose to take on a higher excess payment, | | | | Shop around for the best deal |
| be sure to check how the excess is charged. A per | | | | Comparison shopping will always get you the best |
| claim excess can wind up being far more expensive | | | | deal, so do shop around and compare premiums. Ask |
| than a full cover excess. | | | | for quotes from several insurance companies but be |
| Share the responsibility | | | | sure to know before hand what type and level of |
| A third way to cut the cost of your premiums is to | | | | cover you want so you can compare like with like. |