The vast majority take their health seriously. However, each person adopts a different approach to how they manage their healthcare. For many, they are more than happy to rely on the support of the public health system to provide them with the medical assistance they require.
For others, they prefer to go down the route of private healthcare, primarily because of the current strain on the NHS. In recent years, especially during the pandemic, the NHS has come under significant strain. Contributing factors such as lack of funding and an increase in life expectancy, it has caused longer waiting times, limited treatments and at times a lack of choice.
This strain has meant that there has a rise in the number of people seeking private healthcare insurance. Whilst faster responses times is one of the top reasons, here are a few others.
Flexibility In Options
Despite what you might think, private health insurance possibly costs less than what you may initially think. Many companies will allow you to choose the exact options included in your plan, to ensure that it has the best match for both your budget and your needs. This means that you will only be paying for what you and also your family need. In addition to this, there will often be offers and deals available, both on the policies and other related services and products.
Searching for the best private health insurance policy for you can be challenging. A challenge only made worse due to the overwhelming choice that is available. Fortunately, firms like Switch Health are there to help ease the stresses and challenges that come with looking for the right private health insurance plan for you.
Freedom In Choice
With private medical care, there are no waiting lists like there are on the public system. At times, these waiting lists can last for months, even years, before you receive the treatment required. One of the benefits of investing in private health insurance is that you can choose appointments on a particular day, at a time that best suits you. This quality is key for those trying to book appointments around work.
In addition to this, if you require a procedure at your chosen medical facility, which can’t be done in the same week, most policies will allow you to select another centre covered by your policy.
Quality Of Care
Private health facilities often have the very best doctors, as well as the best facilities. The facilities available are compared to top hotels rather than hospitals. With private rooms on offer, a television, free Wi-Fi, comfortable furniture, most private health facilities also allow a relative or friend to stay with the patient for emotional support. There is also the bonus of more flexible visiting hours and more of a variety of meal options.
From a medical point of view, staying in a private health facility will also mean access to the most up-to-date technology. This will allow for diagnosis and recovery times to be considerably shortened.
Quick Access To A GP Service
Similar to the shorter waiting times, investing in private healthcare insurance will also grant you access to an online or telephone GP service. There is often an app or phone service that will provide you with hours or 24/7 access to a GP.
With the quality of modern technology, many GPs will allow for a private video consultation, meaning that you will not have to leave your home. Having the option for a video consultation is a great option, especially for those who may struggle with travel to an appointment and those with children.
In addition to this, many health insurance providers will let their policyholders use this service abroad. For those that like to travel and hope to be travelling more once restrictions have lifted, this will be something you will want to consider when choosing a private health insurance plan.
Access To Specialist Medicines And Treatments
Not all specialist medicines and treatments are available on the NHS. This could be due to being too expensive, or they have not been approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in England and Wales (NICE). Being on private health insurance does not guarantee that you will have access to a specific medicine, but they can offer help with some treatments that might not be available on the NHS.
There are various reasons as to why you should consider investing in private medical healthcare. The most common one, shared by many who do have private medical healthcare, is the shorter waiting times.
Having the opportunity to receive treatment as soon as you need it, sometimes on a requested date, is one of the driving reasons why individuals look into private medical healthcare.
It is worth spending time on comparison sites to see the various options on healthcare policies available. Ultimately, it will allow you to find out more about what is on offer and see if there is a plan that best suits you and your lifestyle.