In the UK health insurance exists to cover the costs for those who want to have the option of private medical treatment instead of NHS care. The primary reasons that most people give for wanting private health care is to avoid NHS waiting lists and to give them a personal choice of the hospitals that they can use and doctors who can treat them. Read more...>
Not all illnesses and conditions are covered by health insurance and there are a large number of health insurance plans with varying degrees of cover which should be carefully studied before buying.
Speed of consultancy and treatment is a seen as major advantage to private health care and the only way that most people could afford it is through health insurance. For routine hospital treatment that is not seen as high priority by the NHS having private health insurance can make a big difference to patients.
Although health insurance does not generally cover emergency treatment many people feel that should they have to go into hospital the opportunity to select a private room and even have a choice of menu is worth the cost of premiums.

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