PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE

[sim87]

Hi, my dad had a coronary artery bypass graft surgery this April. I have been looking for private medical insurance for him with little or no luck. I was told by all of them, including bupa whom I was told was the best, that they wont cover him for any pre-existing medical problems only new ones. Can anyone advise on any private medical insurance companies whom do cover such persons. I would really appreciate some advice and help. Thank you.

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi sim87

I think the answer is that no company will cover per-existing conditions.

Think of it this way, if you're 30 years of age and have nothing wrong with you medically, a PMI company will happily provide cover by working out what premiums they can collect and estimating what the risks are of you making a claim over the next XX years, from this they can estimate how much money they will make out of you.

Once you get to being over 50, bit overweight, smoke a bit, drink a bit - even if they will take you on, they will push the premiums into the stratosphere as due to your age the likelihood is that something will go wrong with you increases.

Anybody, even in their 20s who has a pre-existing serious condition would have that condition excluded

[Hatchjd]

I agree with Spirit ofFloyd that you are unlikely to find a company that will cover pre-exisiting heart conditions.

If you are in the UK the best option would be to pay privately for a second opinion from a cardiologist or other specialty doctor as needed . They would then write to your GP with any recomendations.

[daisy2311]

I am in my 30's, have a controlled heart condition which causes me few problems. However, private medical will not cover pre existing conditions and they even quibble about other things that I have been investigated for but deemed ok afterwards. I have given up now on both life and medical insurance as the system is getting ridiculous and I'm tired of it all. The only scheme I know that covers pre existing is my partners company operated scheme.. they will cover everything including pre existing. There was an option to add me but as his partner they rejected my application completely as....you've guessed it... I have a heart condition. No questions on the condition, just a straight no.

[dickielex]

I am afraid that it is VERY unlikely that any company will sell you a policy which doesn't exclude pre-existant conditions. It's tough but there it is.

[17Nevil]

As others have said they won't cover for pre-existing conditions for monetary reasons .

But I think you will find anyway that if you went to one with any sort of heart incident they would send you to an nhs hospital

[MydogBrandy]

Hi, my private insurance is due for renewal, we pay £300 a year now for two of us, checked out other companies and got it down to £217 but yes you’ve guessed it, no pre existing conditions. We are both 70 now and have been with our insurance company for 40 years, it’s gone up every year even though we haven’t claimed for at least 20/years but we are expecting a big hike this year because I had my ablation done privately even though my Colin had his stent and then his kidney out and cancer taken away on the NHS. When you get taken in to hospital by ambulance, you automatically come under the NHS, having said that it is handy to have private if you want to get in to having an operation done quickly if the NHS wait is going to be long. I think we will be still paying our monthly fee, mainly because of the age we are now. I too would love to hear if someone finds a company with pre-existing conditions , doubt there is one though,

[MyAbu]

Does anyone know how health insurance works in the US? There they seem to cover everything pre-existing conditions and all, but then people pay a lot more and NHS is covered through National insurance payments and tax. I wonder sometimes what the scenario would be with privatisation of NHS. I guess a lot of people would be left out of getting medical care, one has to be grateful for NHS. I think the best suggestion was to pay to get a second opinion privately who would then write to the NHS consultant or GP.

[Hatchjd in reply to MyAbu]

I worked in the health system in both the UK and USA. Employer-sponsored health insurance is paid for by businesses on behalf of their employees as part of an employee benefit package.Nearly all large employers in America offer medical insurance. The monthly premium varies depending on the level of benefit package but usually around $400+ per month for an individual and $1100+ for a family. The employer may pay up to 60% of the cost. If you are self employed, in a small company without benefits or in a low paid/ low skilled job you pay the full premium yourself. Many can’t afford it and choose to go without medical insurance or medical care. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2014 was introduced to prevent discrimination and exorbitant costs for pre existing conditions but there are still exception periods allowed and the cost can still be high. If you become unemployed through illness or any other reason your employer can stop subsidising your medical ins. premium. This is triple jeopardy as your insurance premium goes up, your income goes down and you now have a pre existing condition and are in need of costly medical care. It is a very unfair and expensive way to deliver healthcare.

[shieldy]

Hi sim87, I had a quadruple heart by-pass in 2007 and have had 2 hip replacements , I am now 73 years and have been going on holiday abroad every year, we use All Clear, but have used other firms and the have been very reasonable priced, it takes a little comparing but I`m sure you will find one that suits you, good luck.