How do I choose the right cover?
When looking at cover, it is useful to know that treatment is categorised
in the following way:
In-patient
This is when you go into hospital for private treatment or investigations
and stay for one or more nights.
Out-patient
This is when you receive treatment or investigations or consultations
which do not need you to stay in hospital either as an in-patient
or daypatient.
Day-patient
This is sometimes referred to as day-care, or day-case. It is when
you go into hospital for private treatment or investigations but
do not need to stay in hospital overnight.
There are a large variety of schemes available - from low-cost
schemes, offering limited cover, to those which offer wide-ranging
cover and benefits. Most schemes offer cover for in-patient and
day-patient care, but not always out-patient.
You will need to decide what sort of cover you want:
- Do you want your cover to include seeing a specialist as an
out-patient?
- Do you want a choice of hospitals, or would you be satisfied
to receive any treatment that you might need in a hospital available
from a limited range chosen by your insurance company?
The answers you give to questions such as these could have a significant
effect on the premium that you pay.
|
