What is Private Medical Insurance/Health Insurance?

Private Medical Health Insurance (PMI) is an insurance policy that an individual can purchase that will pay for medical expenses in the event that the individual requires medical treatment.

People who purchase PMI generally do so as it offers them immediate attention and peace of mind. Having a PMI policy means you will be able to access medical attention more quickly, should you experience health problems. This is because, as a private patient, you will not be affected by concerns such as NHS waiting lists.

Often, PMI cover allows for patients to choose which hospital they are treated in, when their treatment takes place and which specialists they see. Private hospitals may also offer more comfortable accommodation to patients, who are likely to be housed individually in private rooms.

What level of cover do I need?

Different Medical Health Insurance policies offer varying levels of cover – and this will affect the price you pay for your insurance.

Policies may cover in-patient treatment (where you stay overnight in hospital), day-patient treatment (where you might have a procedure performed and leave hospital on the same day) and out-patient treatment (treatments given at a hospital or a clinic where you do not need to go in for in-patient of day-patient treatment).

You may choose to take out a PMI policy which covers one or all of these types of treatment, depending on your needs and budget.