Health Insurance To Ease Strain On NHS

Reports emerged this week warning that the NHS faces a £15bn budget shortfall in the coming years, as a direct impact of the current recession. Health-on-Line, the online private medical insurance (PMI) company, suggests PMI could ease the strain on the NHS by providing individuals with affordable access to private healthcare.

Mike Dalby, director of Health-on-Line comments, “Historically, the NHS was applauded for its effectiveness at dealing with emergency situations and treatment of individuals suffering from chronic conditions requiring long-term care and maintenance. In these areas the NHS has been known to deliver a health service that for years was envied in many parts of the world. However, it is when faced with the millions of individuals who require treatment for short-term, acute conditions that a negative impact may be felt throughout the service”

Dalby continues, “Now with the rising costs of medical technology, the development of highly effective drugs and the numbers of people waiting for treatment, one has to consider what effects a reduction of the NHS budget has on its patients.”

Private medical insurance generally provides access to private healthcare for treatment of short-term, curable conditions. And with Health-on-Line’s Personal Choice policy, members have the flexibility to build a plan from several options to more suit their specific needs or budgets. And with policies from as little as £20* per month offering access to over 200 private facilities, there really is an affordable solution. As the NHS faces hard decisions over what it can afford to pay for, the patient can take measures so this budgetary decline does not impact their health by looking at alternative options, thus easing the pressure on this already stretched public service.

Dalby comments, “Towards the end of 2008 and throughout the beginning of 2009 we have seen a continuous rise in the number of enquiries we receive from individuals looking to get Private Medical Insurance in place. We had previously identified that consumers felt waiting lists were too long and concerns about superbugs were driving them to look into alternatives. In light of the recent reports, we expect this trend to continue. Will concerns about whether the NHS can provide the necessary treatment become a key motivator for people enquiring about health insurance? I think, inevitably, it will”


*based on a 30 year old, living outside of London. Essential Cover only & £100 excess. Rates correct at June 2009.

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Madelin Baseley

Marketing & PR Manager

Health-on-line

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