Private Medical Insurance

Get quick access to leading UK medical care when you and your family need it most

We recognise that looking after your health and that of your family is a priority. And as National Health Service comes under mounting pressures, and with waiting lists estimated to reach 10 million as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, increasing numbers of people want peace of mind that they can access quality medical advice and treatment quickly when they need it most.

The dedicated CLA Healthcare team can work with you to design a healthcare package to meet your personal & family needs, individual circumstances and budget.

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What is Private Medical Insurance?

Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is a policy that provides quick access to leading UK medical care and hospitals. PMI has changed in recent years in order that policies work to complement and improve the NHS rather than acting as a replacement.

For example, many policies include access to a Private GP so that any initial period of worry from feeling unwell and waiting to see your GP is largely eliminated and you are referred to a specialist, if required, more quickly. Some medical policies can also provide the ability to get second opinions and in some cases will offer access to the most expensive cancer drugs.

Why buy Private Medical Insurance?

The features of your policy will depend upon the level of cover you choose but could include;

  • Access to specialist referrals – You can ask your GP to refer you to an expert specialist working privately to get a second opinion or specialist treatment.
  • Reduced waiting time – You can use your insurance to reduce the time you spend waiting for treatment if your NHS wait time is more than six weeks.
  • Ability to choose your surgeon and hospital – In some cases it is possible to choose a surgeon and hospital to suit your time and place – which is not typically possible on the NHS.
  • A private room – You can use it to get a private room with en-suite facilities and unrestricted visiting hours rather than staying in an open ward which could be mixed gender.
  • Physiotherapy – You get quicker access to physiotherapy sessions if you have insurance than you would through NHS treatment.
  • Access to specialist drugs and treatment – Some specialist drugs and treatments are not available on the NHS because they are too expensive or not approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in England and Wales (NICE) or the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).

How much will cover cost?

The cost of your PMI premium will depend upon a number of factors – such as your age, location and medical history and your budget.

Access to private healthcare can be expensive but there are ways that you can create cover to suit your budget and reduce the cost of medical insurance. You could choose a scheme that offers full inpatient treatment but only limited outpatient care, and no extras. Alternatively, you could opt for a voluntary excess on claims, like on your car insurance, which reduces your premium. Another option is to take out a six-week wait policy. The 6 week rule applies for any in or day patient diagnostic tests or treatment. So if you can’t obtain these procedures on the NHS within 6 weeks of being referred for them then your insurance will cover you to go privately. If the wait time is less than 6 weeks, then you would receive your treatment on the NHS.

You don’t have to take out Private Medical Insurance – but if you don’t want to use the NHS, you might find it hard to pay for private treatment without insurance, especially for serious conditions. PMI lets you take control of your healthcare and gives you a choice in the level of care you get and how and when it is provided. It can also offer peace of mind that you have something in place should the NHS be unable to help.

How we can help

CLA Healthcare advisers are independent and impartial. We work with CLA members to create a healthcare plan built around your individual needs and budget.

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Considering PMI for the first time?

If you are considering healthcare cover for the first time, we will complete a review of the market for you and recommend a policy that best suits your specific requirements.

Being a CLA Healthcare member comes with many benefits, including an additional 10% discount on Bupa By You health insurance policies.

Contact us to find out more.

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Already have healthcare cover in place?

If you already have PMI, we can carry out a review of your current arrangements and review the market to identify whether you are receiving good value, or whether other more beneficial options might be available for you. . We will ensure your requirements are still being met and you’re not paying for cover you don’t need.

Find out more

To find out more or to discuss your healthcare options in more detail, the expert team at CLA Healthcare are on hand to help.

Call 01274 717361 or email healthcare@cla.org.uk to find out more.

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