Private hospitals and health insurance
It's still possible to turn to private hospitals even if
you don't have health insurance.
Recent figures show that private medical insurance and the
demand for private hospitals is increasing. The Association of
British Insurers reveals that the number of people now covered by
private medical insurance is over six million. In fact, the one
thing that has gone from strength to strength in the face of the
global credit crunch and economic downturn is the demand for
private hospitals and private health care, with leading health
insurers experiencing a 20% increase in sales in the first quarter
of 2008.
Private hospitals - high standards
Private hospitals have witnessed a surge in demand. Private
hospitals have high standards of service and care, with the
additional benefit of being able to choose when to have treatment
and how quickly to have it – something that can make a huge
difference to the quality of your health care. Surveys show that
private hospitals are leading the popularity stakes:
- 65% of Britons say access to clean hospitals is the most
important for taking out private health insurance for private
hospital care
- Six million people had health insurance in 2007, a figure that
is now thought to have reached the seven million mark
Private hospitals - fast treatment
Private hospitals offer treatments to patients when they need
it, with a greater degree of privacy, better facilities and bespoke
care. Many leading employers offer private health insurance so
their employees can have access to private hospitals allowing them
to get back to work after an illness or accident much more quickly
than otherwise.
Accessing private hospitals without health insurance
However, you can still access private hospitals and private care
if you don't have health insurance. You can be a 'self paying'
patient, so you pay for your procedure or care before you enter the
private hospital in question. If you are concerned about the cost,
you should check the NHS waiting times, and decide whether or not
you can wait or if you would rather spend the money. Some private
hospitals offer payment schemes to help you spread the cost, or can
advise on loans for medical treatment. If you don't have private
health care but want treating in a private hospital, go to your GP.
He or she will write a referral letter, or you can research private
hospitals online and contact the hospital of your choice directly
to make an appointment.