Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
We often don’t truly appreciate the value of our health until we’re ill. When things go wrong, Private Medical Insurance (PMI) gives you the luxury of choice and control. It can take up to 4 months to be referred for an initial appointment on the NHS – with Private Medical Insurance you will secure a consultant’s appointment within days.
What are the benefits of PMI?
In the UK, private health insurance policies are predominately structured to cover the cost of private medical treatment for acute conditions – short-term and mainly curable health issues rather than long-term, chronic conditions people tend to live with their whole lives. Post Pandemic there can be a few days before you can see a consultant unlike the NHS which can be a few weeks or unfortunetaly longer.
How can a broker like WCHC help you?
Depending when you took out your policy you may or may not have exclusions on conditions you have suffered from in the past, this is why it is important that an established broker helps you through the minefield to get you the right policy. Choosing the wrong policy or level of cover could result in a waste of your money – why leave it to chance when we will simplify the process? Let us manage the workload by completing your claim, removing the stress and providing a you a full briefing.
It’s all about the details
With all the fine detail involved, it only takes one wrong word to invalidate a claim that could save your life in a crisis and support your family if the worst should happen. With so much at stake when quoting for insurance policies like these, call us today and let us help you to get the cover you need.
We spent years learning the lingo so that you don’t have to.
FAQs
The NHS provides world-class healthcare to UK residents to the best of its ability. However, times are hard, budgets are tight and waiting lists are growing every year. Private Healthcare helps you to be seen sooner, gives you a wider choice of treatments or drugs, negates the effect of the postcode lottery and allows you to be treated and recover in the comfort and privacy of a private hospital.
PMI cover allows you to make choices and be treated privately for all elective surgeries – ie those which are non-emergencies. Each policy will have its own terms and conditions but generally speaking, when your GP suggests you need elective treatment, you can turn to your private health cover to choose where and who you see. This offers more choice, can allow for more treatment options and almost always enables you to be seen sooner.
If you have seen your GP and have been told you need a referral for treatment, you can choose to go private. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t sure, you can call Westcountry Health Care and make an inquiry. We will help you with every step, finding and suggesting the best hospitals and consultants, helping you to arrange for a referral from your GP, handling the claim paperwork and ensuring your complete recovery. Generally we can help you to secure an appointment within days.
No. Depending on the underwriting of the scheme you may have to answer some medical questions.
No. However, sometimes insurance companies can agree to cover conditions in the future, if you can prove you have not suffered any effects for a period of time.
We will advise you about the two types of underwriting available for Health Insurance policies.
A moratorium means that any conditions you are aware of suffering during the 5 years before starting your insurance policy, may be excluded. However, if you have not required any medication, treatment or advice about those conditions during the first 2 years of your policy, you may then be covered for them once more.
You could also choose a fully medically underwritten policy which requires you to formally declare every previous condition, and the insurance company will then decide upfront whether to cover it, or to exclude it, either completely or for a period of time.
If you are switching policies and have been fully medically underwritten to this point, any excluded conditions will remain but any conditions developed during your insured period will be covered.
If you are buying Private Medical Health Insurance for your employees, and have more than 20 employees to cover, you can choose to have medical health disregarded which simply means everyone is covered for everything regardless of their personal history.
The majority of Insurers will simply cease cover if you cease paying. A couple of insurers will insist that you continue to pay until the end of the policy. We can advise you of your prospective insurer’s position on this before purchase.
Not necessarily, it depends on the cover you choose. You can opt for a zero excess, or choose from a range of figures to suit you. On a co-payment policy, you pay a percentage of every claim up to a total expense, after which all treatment is covered. Ask our team for advice on this when you purchase and we will explain all your options.
The majority of policies may offer up to 90 days of emergency treatment (only in Europe) but will not cover planned admissions for elective treatment.
UK based Private Medical Health Insurance will not offer this benefit. You will need a travel policy. If you are living abroad we can find you a specialist policy that would offer you both private medical cover in the UK plus a repatriation benefit for your overseas home.
Benefits of PMI
- Choose when where and who treats you.
- Access to treatments not available on the NHS.
- 24 hour “Crisis Care”.
- 25 years nursing & pharmaceutical experience.
- We assist in the claim process and deal with the insurers.
- We research and book your appointments.
- We are on your side and simplify the process for you.
Providing you the best policy
If you need advice on the best policy for you or your family, or have health conditions making it difficult to find the right policy we can provide a much more bespoke quotation, with any exclusions clearly explained.
We have connections with various insurers so may also be able to offer you a special deal.
"WCHC has been a tower of strength, taking on all difficulties and obstacles standing in my way and relieved me of the stress of having to deal with the insurers direct. Susie has always shown care, kindness, consideration and respect to me… she is passionate about her job and brings steadfast determination and commitment to achieve the best she can for my healthcare. It gives me peace of mind to know that in an emergency, Susie will be there for me.
"
- Dee from Exeter , WCHC Customer Private Medical Insurance
Access private medical care, avoid waiting lists and be seen quicker if you fall ill
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