Coughs, colds and… private medical insurance?

Winter is coming – is your healthcare plan ready?

October is usually the month when we start accepting that summer really is over.

The heating goes back on, the jumpers come out and, inevitably, someone in the household starts coughing.

As we head into the colder months, it’s also a good time to think about something we don’t always consider until we need it:

how would you access healthcare if you became unwell?

For many people, the NHS will quite rightly remain their first port of call.

But some clients also choose to have private medical insurance alongside the NHS, giving them another option if they need to investigate a new health problem or require treatment.

One of the main attractions of PMI is access to private healthcare for eligible new conditions, potentially giving you more choice over where and when you receive treatment.

Depending on the policy, you may also have options such as access to private hospitals, specialist consultations, and additional healthcare services.

It’s worth remembering, though, that PMI isn’t designed to cover everything.

Policies generally focus on new, acute conditions rather than ongoing or pre-existing conditions, and cover levels vary considerably between insurers and policies.

The good news is that you can also structure cover in different ways to make it more affordable.

For example, choosing a higher excess can reduce the premium, while some policies offer options such as guided hospital lists or a six-week NHS wait option.

Like your mortgage, your circumstances can change over time.

Perhaps you’ve changed jobs, had children, moved home or simply haven’t reviewed your health insurance for several years.

So, as you prepare your home – and yourself – for the colder months, it could be worth giving your healthcare arrangements a quick check too.

If you already have private medical insurance, we can review your existing cover and see whether it still meets your needs.

And if you’ve never considered PMI, we’re happy to explain how it works and what options might be available.

You may decide it’s not for you – and that’s fine.

The important thing is understanding your options before you need them.