Private Medical Insurance

1 Introduction

Private medical insurance pays for the cost of medical treatment. It is popular for many reasons:-

• Avoiding queues and waiting lists.
• Hospital treatment when it is convenient for you.
• Choice of hospital and consultant.
• Private room and other facilities.

Other insurances are sometimes confused with private medical insurance. For example, cash plans only pay an allowance if, for example, you are in hospital. Permanent health insurance pays you a regular income if you are ill and cannot work. "Critical Illness" insurance pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed as suffering from certain major diseases such as cancer.