There are many reasons why you may be considering private health care throughout your pregnancy and childbirth. While you are entitled to treatment on the NHS, should complications occur, you will want to be assured you have access to the best health care possible.
If you want treatment immediately and don’t want to be put on an NHS waiting list, it may make sense to take out private health insurance in advance. Not only can it save you thousands of pounds, but private health insurance can also bring you peace of mind, knowing you and your baby are in safe hands. Here is a guide on what you need to know about private health insurance during pregnancy.
How Does It Work?
If you take out private health insurance, you will often be given a wider range of treatments and facilities to choose from. What’s more, you may be able to skip the lengthy NHS waiting lists. When you take out private health insurance, you will agree to pay a monthly fee for the policy, which allows you to plan for your medical needs beforehand, instead of being faced with unexpected health costs that could prove expensive.
Each insurer will have different terms and conditions, so make sure you take your time looking at providers. You can learn more about health insurance here. The Switch Health team searches all the leading private health insurance providers, including Bupa and AVIVA, to provide you with the best quotes. Also, you can compare over 1000 UK policies, and save up to 50%.
When deciding on a private insurance policy, there are several things you can do to narrow down your online search. These include checking what the policy covers and what the monthly costs will be. You’ll also want to look at the limit on how much the policy will pay out, and determine whether there is a qualifying period. Also note that you will need to provide your full medical history to the insurer. This is done by filling out a declaration.
What Does It Cover?
Lots of health insurance policies will foot the bill of private health care if needed in an emergency. If you take out cover with the insurer for a certain length of time before making a claim, some insurers will cover you for complications that may occur from pregnancy or childbirth. These can include stillbirth, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes. However, you must pay extra care to which conditions are featured on the insurer’s coverage list. This is because you will not be covered for any complications not shown in the policy, which leads us to the next point.
What Is Not Covered?
Although there are lots of things that private medical insurance will cover you for, there are certain things most policies will exclude. These include maternity care, IVF, antenatal care, and obstetrician cover. Most UK health insurance policies will not provide coverage for routine pregnancy needs either, such as ultrasounds. The reason for this is because insurers tend to view pregnancy and childbirth as lifestyle choices, rather than a medical condition.
How Much Does It Cost?
How much you pay in monthly premiums will vary. The amount will usually depend on the provider you opt for, as well as how extensive the coverage is. So, while you may be drawn to choosing the cheapest policy on the market, it may not be the wisest choice to make. This is because some policies may exclude certain conditions and complications from their list. Each insurer has their own set of rules on what kind of treatment and medical conditions they cover, alongside the fees they charge in premiums. It’s your responsibility to read the fine print so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Can I Obtain Cover If I Am Currently Pregnant?
The timing of when you take out private health insurance matters when it comes to pregnancy. While it’s possible to obtain private health insurance if you are already pregnant, in most instances, you will need to have already secured the policy ahead of time. It can be a difficult process to navigate, so it may be worth speaking to a financial advisor who can help you. A financial advisor has experience in the details of policy timings. Also, they can do a thorough analysis and comparison of the different insurance policies to ensure you’re making the right decision. If you’re unsure what to do, getting expert help should give you more clarity.
If you are thinking of having a baby and feel you need more peace of mind and reassurance during pregnancy, it may make sense to obtain private health insurance. The final decision is entirely up to you, so make sure you don’t rush into any decisions.