Health Insurance is designed to cover treatment for curable, short-term illness or injury ( commonly known as acute conditions). Some illnesses and treatments are never covered and these are common to most schemes.

      1. Usually included: Cover for treatment of short-term (acute) medical conditions. In-patient tests. Surgery as an in-patient or day-patient. Hospital accommodation and nursing.

      2. Sometimes included: Out-patient diagnostic tests. Out-patient consultations and treatment with a specialist. Overseas cover. Cash payments for treatment received as an NHS in-patient.

      3. Usually not included: Conditions you had before taking out the health insurance policy (commonly known as pre-existing conditions). GP services. Cover for long-term illnesses which cannot be cured (usually referred to as chronic conditions). Accident and Emergency admission.

As well as those listed as "usually not included", the following conditions or treatments are normally outside your cover.

Drug abuse, self-inflicted injuries, out-patient drugs and dressings, HIV/AIDS, infertility, normal pregnancy, cosmetic surgery, gender reassignment (sex change), preventative treatment, kidney dialysis, mobility aids, experimental drugs, organ transplant. War risks, injuries arising from dangerous hobbies.

Each health insurer will give you a policy summary or "key facts" document and a full policy document either before or immediately after you sign the contract of insurance. The policy summary or "key facts" document will set out any significant and unusual limits of your policy.


www.privatehealthservice.co.uk