Private Health or NHS 19 February 2021 at 4:55PM in Health & beauty MoneySaving 4 replies 181 views

yaya73

Hi all
I am in the process of sorting out my life insurance once and for all. While fact-finding and researching, a friend suggested I could just get basic life insurance and then get private health insurance as it might be cheaper that way than a life insurance including critical or terminal included. 
However, having researched lots on private health insurance, the premiums are very high (just for myself and my son). Most of them are saying that the nhs are superb for cancer treatments anyway and that really is the main reason I thought of taking out private health ins. My family history is cancer-ridden! my father died of lung, my mother just had a masectomy, my mother's sisters all had breast and ovarian and alzheimers too so without being too bleak there's a high probability I may get cancer too as no one has escaped it!!! The only health concern I have is my asthma which is very manageable and no problems since 2017. My 10 year old son is fit as a fiddle!!
So, thoughts on private health insurance? stick with NHS and save my money?

Floss

The chances are it would be the same oncologist whether you were private or NHS.

Undervalued

yaya73 said:

Hi all
I am in the process of sorting out my life insurance once and for all. While fact-finding and researching, a friend suggested I could just get basic life insurance and then get private health insurance as it might be cheaper that way than a life insurance including critical or terminal included. 
However, having researched lots on private health insurance, the premiums are very high (just for myself and my son). Most of them are saying that the nhs are superb for cancer treatments anyway and that really is the main reason I thought of taking out private health ins. My family history is cancer-ridden! my father died of lung, my mother just had a masectomy, my mother's sisters all had breast and ovarian and alzheimers too so without being too bleak there's a high probability I may get cancer too as no one has escaped it!!! The only health concern I have is my asthma which is very manageable and no problems since 2017. My 10 year old son is fit as a fiddle!!
So, thoughts on private health insurance? stick with NHS and save my money?

In normal (i.e non pandemic) times primarily what you are buying with private healthcare is speed of treatment for annoying but non-threatening conditions, seeing the consultant in person rather than possibly one of his team, comfort and convenience. Generally in an emergency situation or if cancer etc is suspected by your GP you will be seen very quickly on the NHS.

Classic examples are hip and knee replacements where you may well wait a long while on the NHS hobbling around in pain before it is treated but may well get it done within weeks privately. Not life threatening but very unpleasant and debilitating.

Some private polices offer significant reductions if you accept a clause where the policy will only pay for private treatment if the NHS wait is greater than XX weeks. Maybe not at the moment though!

The comfort and convenience aspect is entirely a matter for you to decide how important that is to you. When you go on holiday are you happy to stay in a Travel Lodge or are you willing and able to pay for Claridge's!

silvercar

I would suggest contacting the Eve Appeal for help and support.
https://eveappeal.org.uk/
If there is a genetic link, better to find out sooner than later, so you can take action to reduce the risks.

sheramber

What cover do you want?
Life insurance pays out if you die.
Some policies pay out a if you have a terminal diagnosis, which is generally 6 months to live.
Critical illness pays out if you are diagnosed with  specified conditions.
Income Replacement Insurance pays out if you are unable to work, subject to policy conditions.
Privet Health Insurance pays for medical treatment but does not pay anything for death of of you are unable to work.