This year I experienced the real benefit of my company having in place a Private Medical Insurance arrangement.
It is more costly than having a Group Life Assured arrangement or a Group Income Replacement scheme and the premiums for each employee are treated as a benefit in kind
However, this year a key member of my team needed urgent health care. He was seen by private specialists immediately and benefited from outstanding care and treatment over three months. The cost of the operation and the treatment over the period would have cost more than £20,000. I will not go into the detail of every member of my staff who claimed this year but three more received immediate care with no fuss. I had a severe ear infection and spoke to a GP practically immediately online and following that was referred to specialist near my home in Epsom the following day.
When we think about the NHS we are fortunate to have free access to healthcare services but as we all know it is under massive increasing pressure. This leads to people facing significant health risks and delays.
Briefly I think relying on the NHS will not be enough for your health care needs.
We all know there are such long waiting times. Private Medical Insurance ensures quicker access to specialists diagnosis, tests and treatment and rather like my own company’s arrangement treatment within days.
With the NHS under such pressure, it does limit treatment options. There may not be access to the best specialists. Private Medical Insurance allows you to choose your doctor, hospital and sometimes cutting edge treatment not available to the NHS.
We all know the NHS is overstretched with limited resources and an ever-growing population.
Of course, there are the added perks with Private Medical Insurance such as private rooms, shorter waiting times and undoubtedly more personalised attention.
I had not seen my own local GP for some years, and I was sent a note offering a blood test to test for any diseases and to have my blood pressure checked. I have blood pressure monitors but I thought I would just go along to have a blood test and experience the NHS service.
I arrived 10 minutes early and was seen 10 minutes after my allotted time. The medical practitioner informed me that she was late and running behind schedule almost as though it was my fault. It was one mini test. I will happily return to the benefits of my Private Medical Insurance arrangement.
I should add I’m not knocking the NHS as it remains an incredible safe unit for all the increasing number of UK residents. I and my employees are fortunate enough to have both the NHS and Private Medical Insurance.
I would urge you to talk to our Private Medical specialists as the cost is often so much less than people expect.
In passing because we have access to such a wide range of top providers we can select schemes where even for three employees or more any previous medical conditions can be disregarded. That is remarkable.
With around 7 to 8 million people waiting for procedures in my view the need to have in place whether individually or through your company Private Medical Insurance is now more important than ever.
Trevor Downing FPMI FPFS
