HMCA

No matter how fit and healthy we are, it is inevitable that at some point in our lives we will fall ill and need medical care. And when illness does strike it is to the NHS that most people will turn in seeking a diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

The NHS has for some years been showing signs that it, too, is not in the best of health. A growing and ageing population is putting an ever-increasing strain on staff and services. A problem exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Reports of underfunding, a shortage of medical staff, noisy and overcrowded wards, cancelled operations and long waiting times will be familiar to everyone.

In England, hospital waiting lists are longer than ever before, with a total waiting list of 7.3 million people.* This is the highest number since records began and illustrates the severe pressure that the NHS is under.

Quick, private and convenient

Understandably, these lengthy delays are causing additional stress for patients, undermining their health and quality of life even further. How many people do you know whose physical health and mental well-being has deteriorated from the anxiety of having to wait months for a hospital appointment?

All this can be avoided by taking out private health insurance. Seeing a doctor in private practice used to be only for the wealthy, but not anymore as the cost of private medical cover is becoming more affordable.

A private medical plan delivers prompt access to hospital consultants, thus avoiding lengthy waiting lists. Patients can choose from an extensive list of hospitals throughout the UK; if they need to be admitted, they will have their own private room equipped with TV and telephone, and visiting is arranged to suit patient and family. A quick, private and convenient service that removes many of the anxieties associated with NHS hospital stays. Furthermore, some providers have no upper age limit attached to their policies and cover can even be extended to include family members.

Taking control of your healthcare

However, those interested in taking out health insurance should not leave it too late. As we get older our healthcare needs increase. Therefore, as only some of the best health insurance companies provide cover for pre-existing conditions, the best time to invest in getting private treatment for illnesses you may suffer tomorrow – is today.

By acting now you can ensure your future healthcare will not be dictated by NHS bureaucracy and, just as importantly, you will be able to benefit from the widest possible cover.

Private health insurance cannot guarantee good health, but it can ensure that when you are feeling unwell you will quickly receive the best possible care, when and where you want it. The peace of mind that comes with that knowledge cannot be underestimated and is often the most important factor for people deciding to take control of their healthcare provision and “go private”.

For further information and quotations contact HMCA by telephone on 01423 799949 or visit the exclusive HMCA Association of International Accountants website here

With NHS waiting lists at a record high there has never been a better time to start medical cover. HMCA has launched My Care Card with a range of affordable plans specifically with the under 50s in mind.

You may think you can put off taking out medical cover until you are older, but you should remember not to leave it too late. If you are diagnosed now, with no cover in place, you may well find you cannot get cover for this condition in future.

All My Care Card plans come with 24/7 access to a private helpline and app, so you can speak to a GP anytime you need, wherever you are. All our plans provide a cash benefit payable for each night you spend in an NHS hospital, so time spent in hospital will not leave you struggling to pay the bills.

The Gold Plan gives you private medical in-hospital benefits for acute conditions treated as an inpatient like illness, disease or injury. When referred by a GP you will get quick admission into a hospital of your choice at a time and a location that is convenient for you, with the benefits of a private room and en-suite.

For further information visit the exclusive My Care Card Association of International Accountants website here.

Coronavirus has changed every aspect of our lives: how we work, how we shop and how we socialise.

It also appears to be changing how we look after our health. According to a recent national survey* a growing  number of people in the UK are considering taking out private medical insurance, with 27% of those polled saying  they have thought about paying privately for healthcare, compared with only 15% before the pandemic struck.

The NHS response to the coronavirus outbreak has been heroic. The skill and dedication of hospital staff have saved many lives. But to enable the health service to meet the unprecedented demand caused by Covid-19, many specialist treatments and routine operations had to be postponed. And concern over lengthening NHS waiting times is the main reason why people are now thinking about taking out private medical insurance.

Of the 1,000 people questioned for the survey, three-quarters said it was long NHS waiting lists that were their main concern, while 67% were worried about the NHS being able to promptly deliver routine care.

These concerns seem to be well founded as medical experts agree that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on NHS services could be with us for some considerable time.

In June this year, health bosses warned it would take four years to restore the NHS services to pre-Covid levels. This will inevitably result in much longer delays for diagnostic tests, while it is feared the number of people waiting for operations could rise from 4.2 million to 10 million by the end of 2020.** Moreover, these depressing forecasts don’t take into account the further disruption to NHS services that a second wave of Covid-19  would cause.

Private medical insurance avoids the anxiety of having to wait months for tests and treatment. Outpatient and inpatient care are covered, with patients being able to choose where they are treated from a wide selection of private or NHS hospitals all over the UK.

Patients whose care involves being admitted to hospital overnight or for a longer period, can stay in a private room that has television and wi-fi, with relaxed visiting times for the convenience of family and friends.

Most providers of private health insurance offer a range of medical plans that can be tailored to meet individual and family needs. For a relatively modest financial outlay, more and more people are discovering that they can receive medical care when they need it and avoid the worry that comes from waiting for NHS treatment.

It’s not just individuals who are turning to the private sector for their healthcare needs. Affordability and its growing popularity is why a rising number of companies and other organisations are offering private healthcare as a major employment or membership benefit.

Private health insurance can’t prevent you from falling ill. But it does offer the peace of mind that comes from knowing that in the event you do need medical care you will be diagnosed and treated in the quickest possible time. And in these uncertain times that is something that many people seem happy to pay for.

For further information and quotations contact HMCA by telephone on 01423 799949 or visit the exclusive HMCA Association of International Accountants website here: https://www.hmca.co.uk/aia