5 important reasons to consider health insurance in 2022
- NHS waiting times are increasing
Although we are lucky in the UK to have the NHS, you cannot open a newspaper or watch the news without hearing about the crisis it is currently facing, leading to many people looking at health insurance in 2022.
With the treatment of Covid patients playing a major part in extended waiting times, it has been inevitable that non-urgent surgery has had to take a back seat.
If you buy even a basic health insurance policy, you have the peace of mind you will be able to access treatment when you need it most.
Dental treatment is also facing a crisis, with access to NHS dentists being severely limited. If you have to self-fund private dental treatment, it may be more cost-effective to buy a treatment plan. Business owners should look at dental insurance for their employees, a low-cost option offering valued staff a really tangible benefit.
- Excellent health insurance premiums for new customers
UK Health insurance providers are really offering some fantastic premiums for new customers in 2022. When you work with a specialist broker, they will be able to source the best offers and discounts from a panel of health insurance providers.
Whether it is one month free, a set 15% discount, a guaranteed renewal premium, or free additional benefits, why not take advantage of the great deals available to you as a new customer?
Your broker will help you to work out what benefits you need and then find you the best deal available from the current market.
- Choose when to have private medical treatment
Having the choice of where and when you have your treatment is a key factor. Being able to choose the date of your specialist consultations, diagnostic test or surgery is an important element of cover. Buying health insurance in 2022 will help you to access treatment when you need it and avoid lengthy NHS waiting lists. If you are a business owner or self-employed, think of the cost to your business if you were unable to work due to illness or injury. Being able to see a specialist outside your normal working hours may also be possible, with many consultants offering evening appointments. Again, this is why private health insurance works for so many people.
- Resolving the issue of being unable to see a GP
One of the most sought-after benefits of health insurance in 2022 has to be access to GP appointments. With the NHS struggling to offer quick appointments to patients, many private medical insurance policies in the UK offer you primary care via telephone or mobile GP apps.
As insurers require a GP referral for many further treatments (there are some self-refer treatments available), having good access to primary care is essential. The private GPs you speak to will be able to refer you for further treatment, if necessary, to treat your condition.
You can also look to add face-to-face GP appointments to your core health insurance cover. This would incur an additional cost but will give you a monetary amount towards private GP appointments.
- Access great health advice via mobile phone apps
Having bought your health insurance in 2022, you can access a wealth of helpful health and wellbeing advice at the touch of a button. There are some excellent mobile phone apps from UK health insurance providers including:
Babylon, available to Bupa customers
Doctor@Hand, available to AXA customers
Healthwise, available to The Exeter customers
Make sure you know what assistance you have, through the technology of your providers, and get the most out of your health insurance in 2022.