Private medical insurance in the UK is not designed to cover the treatment of Chronic Conditions. If you are unwell your policy will cover you up to the point of diagnosis. You would need to have routine monitoring and medication via the NHS. However, your policy may cover you for treatment of flare ups of a chronic condition. There are also some exceptions. You may be able to add a limited amount of cover to your policy for the routine treatment for a chronic condition. Speak to your broker to find out which Insurance companies can help.
What is a chronic condition?
The definition actually has a few elements to it. Firstly, it is a condition that has no known cure. Secondly, it is a condition that is likely to return or need constant medication. Thirdly, it continues indefinitely. A chronic condition may also need you to learn how to cope with it and finally it may need lifelong monitoring via a specialist including check-ups, examinations and tests.
Your Health Insurance will cover you for the treatment of acute medical conditions (providing you have no exclusions relating to the condition).
What sort of diseases would fall under the chronic condition category?
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- COPD
- Arthritis
- Epilepsy
This is just a small example of conditions that are classed as chronic. Even if you have medical history disregarded the cover for conditions of this type are still governed by the general exclusions of your policy.
Make sure that you pre-authorise any medical treatment to avoid any surprised relating to cover for this category of condition. Your insurer will provide you with examples of how they deal with claims of this nature for your easy reference.
Cancer sits in a benefit level on it’s own. We can confirm that even if you have a terminal diagnosis, cancer will not be classed as a chronic condition. This provides you with peace of mind if you ever need to make a claim for cancer.