Advicemedical

Private medical insurance is a very useful policy to take out, yet the range of policies available means that you should ensure the terms and conditions meet your specific requirements

The origin of private medical insurance goes back a long way before the NHS was formed. In pre-NHS days, people contributed to friendly societies, which provided financial assistance to people in times of need. Some private medical insurance providers, such as BUPA, remain non-profit-distributing bodies, though there are also many commercial insurance companies providing private medical insurance these days. One of the best-known names in private medical insurance cover is AXA PPP healthcare ( http:www.axappphealthcare.co.uk ) which was actually conceived in 1938 to provide a health insurance scheme for middle income earners in London.

The principal aim of private medical insurance is designed to cover treatment of acute illness defined by Which? As conditions which can be cured or substantially alleviated by treatment. Treatment of chronic illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis or arthritis, may not be covered by private medical; so critical illness insurance might be more suitable. Critical insurance cover will be based on your individual requirements so shop around for the right policy and always be completely open with your insurance provider, or you may invalidate a claim at a later date.

Other treatments generally excluded from private medical insurance include cosmetic surgery, treatment for alcohol or drug abuse and infertility treatment. The majority of standard policies exclude private consultations of a GP, routine check-ups and dental work unless it is undertaken in a hospital. However, always check your private medical insurance policy as some will be more comprehensive than others.

Private medical insurance can be an effective way of ensuring swift access to medical care for your family. Just remember that insurance policies reflect your exact circumstances so dont assume that one size fits all.

For additional information on private medical insurance and critical illness insurance:

Be your own financial advisor, Which? Consumer Guides, author Jonquil Lowe

http:www.axappphealthcare.co.ukbodyhtmlconsumerproductsukpmi.jhtml (Private healthcare in the UK)

http:www.moneynet.co.ukinsurancecritical-illnessindex.shtml (Critical illness insurance information)

How The Health Insurance Industry Fights the High Costs of Medical Care

For many families, finding affordable health insurance is a task akin to the search for the Holy Grail. Depending on where in the country you live, a family health insurance plan can cost as much as 800-1000 per month. Even when you split that cost between employee and employer, that’s a major chunk of nearly anyone’s monthly budget. And while it’s popular to swear under your breath at the greed of the health insurance industry, a look at the cost of medical care is an eye-opening shock for many people. The expenses associated with a broken arm, for instance, can easily mount into several thousands of pounds.

** The Health Insurance Industry has a stake in keeping people healthy.

The high cost of health insurance is the direct result of the high cost of medical care. It’s a simple matter of economics. The more it costs to take care of each subscriber, the more the insurance companies have to charge all their subscribers. This costexpense ratio is what has made most health insurance companies embrace the idea of providing preventive care to their subscribers. It’s a simple matter of business sense – healthy people don’t cost the insurance companies a lot of money.

Accidents may be the first type of medical need that springs to mind when people consider buying health insurance, the major insurance companies all agree that accidents aren’t the major cost drain on medical resources. That place is reserved for chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and high blood pressure. Because of this, it makes good business sense for health insurance companies to encourage their subscribers to adopt preventive health strategies. That pays off in special benefits for health conscious consumers.

** Preventive Health Benefits Help Keep Costs Low

Among the benefits that have become commonplace for major health insurance providers are routine physicals, medical screenings for all subscribers, discounts on health club and gym memberships, payment of dues for weight loss groups and lowered subscription fees for non-smokers.

Some health insurance companies and HMO’s go even further in their preventive efforts. Because of the high risk of serious injury or fatality for infants in automobile accidents, Fallon Community Health Plan of Massachusetts has for years teamed with local organizations to provide free infant car seats to families with newborns. In the same spirit of prevention, many HMOs offer free stress management and stress reduction workshops to all subscribers because stress has been identified as a leading risk factor in nearly every major illness.

** Seeking a Cure
The quest for affordable health care has also prompted health insurance companies and HMOs to help fun research and health initiatives all over the country. The health insurance industry underwrites millions of pounds of medical research annually in an effort to lower the costs of health care. Their pounds fund grants to enroll low income and other hard to insure populations, and to offer eye, dental and health care to inner city and poor rural populations. The industry estimates that routine preventive eye and dental care, as well as routine medical screenings and physicals can identify illnesses at early stages and prevent conditions and costs from escalating out of reach.

** Get the Most from Your Health Insurance
You pay for it – you should certainly get the most possible benefit from your health insurance plan. Here are some suggestions for ways that you can make your health insurance plan work for you:

• - Join a gym.
  Check the benefits that your HMO or health insurance plan offers. Chances are good that one of them is a discount good on membership at a local gym or health club. Get fit – it saves THEM money… but it saves YOUR life.

• - Lose weight.
  Take advantage of nutritional counseling and memberships in weight loss support groups to get down to your ideal weight. Added bonus? Many health insurance plans offer a lower tier cost for subscribers who are at healthy weights.

• - Quit smoking.
  Non-smokers are another group that often enjoy lower health insurance premiums. Many HMOs and health insurance providers offer free smoking cessation programs to help you get smoke free and healthy.

• - Attend medical screenings and health fairs.
  Many health insurance providers sponsor ‘wellness fairs’ where you can have your blood pressure tested, get free medical screenings and learn about alternative medical techniques like massage therapy, acupuncture and yoga. Take advantage of special events to learn more and get healthy.

• It may be popular to demonize the health insurance industry, but today more than ever, the health insurance industry has a stake in keeping you healthy. Find out what your health insurance company has to offer you by visiting their web site, or calling customer service.