Difference Between Private Health Insurance And Health Cash Plans In the UK

Many people who would never consider privatetreatments, and often cover children for free if one or
medical insurance happily pay for health cash plans toboth parents are enrolled in the plan.
supplement the cost of various health treatments andPrivate medical insurance makes payments to the
services. While both are meant to help you pay forhospital or health service provider after a bill is
your health care needs, there are some importantsubmitted. Usually, the bill for your care will be
differences between the two.submitted first to the insurance company. Once the
Private medical insurance is meant to cover hospitalinsurance company has paid its share of the cost, the
and medical treatments that are not covered by thehospital or provider will bill you for the remainder.
NHS, or to get around the limitations of NHS. If, forHealth cash plans make payment directly to defray
instance, your doctor has recommended surgery tothe cost of medical services that are not covered
alleviate knee pain, you might have to wait six monthsunder NHS or private insurance. They vary in the
or more in the NHS queue. With private healthamount that they pay and in precisely what is covered,
insurance, you get to "jump the queue" by having thebut generally, they will pay you a specified amount of
recommended surgery performed in a private hospitalcash for each type of service covered. For instance, a
and paid for by your insurer.health cash plan may pay you £24 for each
Private health insurance does not generally coverday that you are in the hospital, or £5 toward
routine medical appointments and daily medical needs,the cost of each prescription, and £30 toward
nor does it usually cover you for dental and opticalthe purchase of new prescription glasses.
treatments.Private medical insurance generally requires a physical
Health cash plans are meant to complement the NHSexamination, or a detailed medical history in order to
by providing cash to pay for the cost of routine andqualify. The premiums will be based in part on your
daily medical care. They are not meant to replacecurrent physical health, and your cover may be limited
NHS services or be a substitute for private medicalby existing or previous medical conditions. Premiums
insurance, which cover the costs associated withgenerally increase with your age.
illnesses. Instead, they are meant to encourage the kindHealth cash plans generally do not require a physical
of routine medical care and screenings that help youexamination or assessment of your medical history.
stay healthy and avoid incurring medical costs.The premiums are standard and are not affected by
Health cash plans generally provide cash toward theyour past medical problems. The premiums for health
cost of annual physical exams, routine eye screening,cash plans do not generally increase with your age, but
dental costs and prescription costs. Most health cashremain the same as long as you keep making the
plans also cover complementary and alternativepremium payments.