There's a very wide choice of cover, ranging from basic through to a complete comprehensive package. Private health insurance plans are also referred to as private medical insurances - there's no difference. It would be impossible to cover all the aspects of each insurance in one article so here we'll concentrate on one particular type - that of unforeseen acute conditions which are seen as curable.
The initial insurance period is 12 months and it's usual to renew at the end of that period. This will probably happen automatically and obviously you'd be informed of any rise in premium. Should you need treatment in this time then you'd be covered subject to the terms of the policy.
When it comes to the question of what your medical insurance will actually cover it depends on the type of policy but generally you would be insured for are illness which come under the heading of acute. This actually means conditions which are relatively short term and curable.
You'll be covered for anything to do with the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. If an operation is needed, then all expenses will be covered, such as theatre fees, and those of surgeons and anaesthetists etc., you'll be nursed back to health in a private room with all amenities. All medications, dressings, x-rays and necessary scans will be covered. If you need specialized treatment, like physiotherapy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy it will be provided and there should be a provision for outpatient care, home nursing expenses and day care treatment if it is in connection with the illness for which you were treated during your stay in the private hospital.
Some policies provide cash payment if you are able to get the required treatment in an NHS hospital as you wouldn't then be claiming the costs of private treatment for the condition. Similarly you may be able to claim for tests and treatment as an out-patient, not related to a hospital stay and emergency treatment outside the UK .
You're not covered by you private plan for routine GP check ups and pre-existing medical conditions will not be covered. Events which could be foreseen, such as an illness which occurred before taking out the medical cover are classed as pre-existing conditions. This is because the insurance is to cover the unexpected and unforeseen conditions.
Although it's possible to get very comprehensive packages, the cost of covering everything would be extremely high. For this reason, many people take out a simple policy for the unforeseen illness, as we've detailed above.
Read "Still Looking After Yourself" for more on this .