Purchasing Individual Health Insurance Plans
Purchasing individual health insurance gives you access to the private medical care that you and your family require. A health insurance plan can supplement the care you receive as a tax payer under National Health Service by offering faster physician visits, prompt diagnostic tests and procedures and access to private hospital treatment. If you do not receive medical cover through your employer, you may apply for an affordable individual plan through an agent or broker, at a financial institution or by shopping online.
Selecting Health Insurance Benefits
Like small business health cover, individual health insurance plans may offer a host of flexible medical services or more specialised, limited benefits, depending on the type of cover you seek. If you are in good health and you rarely require medical treatment, yet you would like to receive faster care when and if it's necessary, a simple individual health package may meet your requirements. If you wish to pay only for specific services, consider a shared risk policy, which gives you flexible access to practitioners, outpatient procedures or inpatient treatment in exchange for a high deductible or copayment.
Maintaining only the cover you need is one of the most effective ways to minimise your health insurance costs as an individual subscriber. Because you have only yourself to consider, you can tailor your cover to meet your specific needs. Any benefits or optional extras that you may never use should be eliminated if you're trying to get the cost down. When your health insurance policy comes up for renewal, review your coverage to trim any extras that you don't need.
If you only require very specific services, such as hospital treatment in the event of a severe illness or injury, convalescence care or coverage for injuries in road accidents, consider purchasing a specialised policy to address your needs. Many individuals who have few routine medical needs may nevertheless wish to carry coverage for certain circumstances. You've no need to pay monthly premiums for a package of benefits if you only intend to utilise a limited set of services.
Applying for Individual Health Insurance
When you apply for individual health insurance, you will be asked to provide personal details, such as your name, age, address and telephone number. You will also be asked to complete a medical questionnaire. In the questionnaire, you will be asked for your height and weight, current health status, past or existing medical conditions and smoking status. You may also be asked about your occupation and whether you participate in any risky pastimes.
Most health insurance companies do not require that you pass a medical screen in order to be approved for cover. However, if you do not meet standard health criteria, an underwriter may request copies of your medical records or may telephone your GP for further details on the information you provided. An underwriter may wish to clarify whether you have a pre-existing medical condition and whether it is now in remission.
The information you provide in your health insurance application will contribute to the cost of your cover. Your age, smoking status and current health condition are especially important factors. In addition, the extent of the coverage you seek will affect the cost of your policy.
As health insurance providers extend their presence on the internet, purchasing individual health insurance plans is more convenient than ever. When you purchase health insurance online from a reliable, trusted provider, you know that your application will be secure and confidential. Purchase an individual health insurance plan from an insurer that's authorised by the Financial Services Authority, or FSA, to ensure that you receive authentic, dependable cover.
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