When you look at ways to reduce your Health Insurance premiums one option is reducing your out-patient cover level. This option can offer a substantial saving on your premium. You may not realise however, how this will affect the cover you have available for out-patient diagnostic tests.

Out-Patient diagnostic tests via your Health Insurance policy

Typically, most insurance policies will cover eligible out-patient CT, MRI & PET scans regardless of the level of out-patient cover selected. These are all classed as high cost diagnostic tests. There are several other tests that GP’s/consultants can request in order to analyse or detect a disease or medical condition.  When a reduced out-patient policy has been selected insurers operate in two ways when it comes to cover for these other tests.

Separate Provision for out-patient diagnostic test Cover

Insurers who offer this option will provide a no yearly limit on eligible diagnostic tests like x-rays, ultrasounds, blood tests etc. This gives you as the policy holder peace of mind knowing you have unlimited cover for those costly, yet important diagnostic tests.

Diagnostic test cover within a combined out-patient limit

Insurers who offer this method will include cover for out-patient diagnostic tests within the combined overall out-patient limit chosen. This means that your monetary limit will include other out-patient components.  Consultations with a specialist and therapies would be classed as out-patient treatment.

If you choose this option then you could easily reach your out-patient benefit limit when you claim. Diagnostic tests can be very expensive and if your consultant requires a number of them to be done, you may end up having to self-fund some of them.

Every Private Medical Insurance policy is different. When you are looking to buy a policy, SMP Healthcare Ltd can help you compare the different health insurance policies available. We can help you to find one that offers the right policy benefits including diagnostic test cover.

For more information , please contact us on 01245 929 129 or email enquires@smphealthcare.com