A Guide on Pre-Existing Health Conditions and Health Insurance

Are you confused when it comes to health insurance? This is a new world that many people area exploring in the UK. Indeed, there has been a rise in private healthcare use and getting a policy can make this a more affordable avenue for you to go down when you need medical assistance.

In particular, there is one concern people have. They are not sure what a pre-existing health condition really is. You will need to understand what this is and how it relates to health insurance. Here is a useful guide that can help you.

What is a Pre-Existing Health Condition?

First, let’s keep things simple. What is really meant by the phrase, pre-existing health condition? This is going to be a medical problem you have had in the past. There are a number of chronic conditions that this can relate to. For example, you could have diabetes. Alternatively, a pre-existing health condition can be an issue you have had suddenly and as a one-off. For instance, imagine you have experienced back pain.

Therefore, a pre-existing health condition is a medical issue you have had and that you have sought advice or treatment for. This is going to be noted on your medical records, whether this was at a doctor’s or hospital. 

Will Health Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Health Conditions?

The big question that everybody wants to know the answer to is whether health insurance providers will give you a policy covering pre-existing health conditions. Most of the time, the answer is going to be no. When you think about it from an objective point of view, this makes sense. The provider knows you have a condition, which means that it is likely you will need medication attention for it in the future. So, they are not going to cover you for this treatment. Unfortunately, when you are a person with a pre-existing condition, it does mean that you have to pay for any private healthcare you choose.

Related Conditions

Note that there are some circumstances where a health insurance policy will not cover related conditions either. Thus, if you suffer from an issue that is related to your pre-existing health condition, you might have to pay for private healthcare yourself. As an example, say that you have had diabetes for a number of years. The health insurance company knows this and regards it as a pre-existing health condition. If you then go on to develop diabetic retinopathy, this is unlikely to be covered by your policy if you need medical assistance.

Can I Still Get a Policy If I Have a Pre-Existing Health Condition?

If you have a health condition already, you might be worried that you cannot get a health insurance policy. However, this is not true. Your pre-existing condition does not mean that you cannot enjoy a policy and cover for private healthcare. You can head to Usay Compare to see what options you have. It just means that you are not covered for anything to do with that illness or condition. In other words, you can have a health insurance policy and be covered for acute illnesses or injuries in the future.

So, do not let your pre-existing condition affect your health insurance. You can still explore this option, as it can be very useful to have a policy right now. Indeed, the NHS backlog is huge, and you can be waiting months for treatment. It can even be difficult to get a doctor’s appointment when you need one. So, you can still enjoy cover when it comes to private healthcare, as long as you are seeing about something that is not about your pre-existing condition.

Tips for Choosing a Health Insurance Policy

If you still want to go ahead and get a private health insurance policy, you might find it difficult to know what you are looking for. Here are some tips that can help you select the right policy for you.

Check the Cover

First, always make sure you read about the cover provided by a health insurance policy. You want to ensure you can claim for certain treatment you receive. With a comparison website, you can easily see all of this information from different providers. You can compare who is going to give you the most coverage, and that is able to suit your needs. 

Know the Price

Of course, you need to know the price of health insurance. This is going to be a monthly commitment, or you can choose to pay your policy annually. Either way, you have to ensure that you are happy with the price and that it is an affordable amount for you and your family. Although a word of caution, the cheapest policy is not always going to be the best.

Something else to consider is whether it is best to pay annually or monthly. Some providers will charge the same price regardless of the way you pay. But, others will offer you a discount if you choose an annual payment. This might be something you want to consider if you are in the position to pay like this.

Consider the Extras

There are always going to be optional extras that you can add to your policy. Most people just choose to ignore them since they will cost more. But, you might find that you will benefit from having some of the optional extras. So, take a look at the options and see if any will be useful for you.

Know How to Claim

Another tip is to read about the claim procedure in advance. You want to ensure that it is easy to claim on your policy if you need to. You do not want it to be time-consuming and difficult. Otherwise, you might not claim. Therefore, try to take a look at this in advance to see that you understand what to do. If you do not like a procedure, you can choose another provider that makes it easier for you.