Cancer Cover
Cancer is a concern a lot of people have when it comes to healthcare. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by private health insurers in the UK. In fact most private medical insurance policies now offer cancer protection.
Cancer cover as part of private health insurance
Most providers of private medical insurance now offer their clients comprehensive cancer cover. This allows them to skip potentially long NHS waiting lists and access cutting-edge treatments. These may include drugs and procedures that aren’t currently available on the NHS due to their cost being too prohibitive for public healthcare.. Following a cancer diagnosis, this cover gives you the option to choose your desired hospital — either private or NHS — and a preferred consultant.
Cancer is one of the biggest medical issues you could ever face, so it’s worth considering insurance as a precaution, especially if you are concerned about long treatment waiting lists on the NHS. If cancer cover is something you’re interested in, Clarity Health Insurance will find you the best provider by comparing all the options available to you, based on your requirements.
Key features of cancer cover under a private health insurance policy
Cancer health insurance can provide the following:
- Access to cancer drugs and treatments unavailable on the NHS
- The choice to be treated in a private hospital or NHS hospital (where you’d receive an NHS cash benefit for using its services)
- Chemotherapy in the comfort of your own home rather than inside a hospital
- Home nursing from a private nurse during your treatment
- Cash benefit contributions towards any wigs or prostheses required after cancer treatment or surgery
- Monitoring of your condition while you are in remission
- End of life palliative care, and donations to any hospice you stay in
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Find the best private health insurance policy for cancer cover
Finding the best private health insurance policy with the cancer cover you need will depend on your personal circumstances. Everybody has different concerns and reasons for obtaining private health insurance for cancer. And, as all providers offer different levels of cover, you need to be sure you’re getting the right policy for your needs. That’s why we recommend seeking advice from a specialist here at Clarity Health Insurance.
It’s important you truly understand what a policy would provide if you received a cancer diagnosis. For example:
- Does your provider offer at-home chemotherapy treatment?
- Is your provider offering access to biological therapies?
- Are you covered for experimental treatments?
It’s worth taking time to find out the answers to questions like these. We compare all UK providers to get you the best deal, and will ensure you fully understand exactly what you are paying for.
The cost of private cancer insurance
Private health insurance with cancer cover can vary in price for many reasons, including your location, age and lifestyle. Every policy is different so we can’t give you a specific figure without more information. Simply get a free quote from us, and we can find the best cancer cover for your budget.
Cancer cover exclusions
Different providers cover different elements from others. For example, certain companies could exclude particular cancers in some circumstances, while others may not include things like experimental or unproven treatments. This is why it’s so important to seek advice and be absolutely sure that your policy covers your needs.
Private health insurance if you’ve already had cancer
Though most policies exclude pre-existing conditions, there are some providers who will cover these. This means you will be insured even if you’ve previously had cancer, though you will normally only qualify if you have been symptom-free for a certain amount of time.
Getting cover if there is a family history of cancer
This is particularly relevant if you are on a family health insurance plan. If an immediate family member covered by your policy has had cancer before, it may be worth looking at separate plans. Some providers will downgrade cancer cover for everyone due to one person’s previous diagnosis.
But for the most part, insurers won’t use your family history to determine your premium. We compare all UK providers to make sure you don’t pay over the odds.
Questions you could be asked when applying for cancer cover
When you apply for private health insurance with cancer cover, providers don’t ask about exercise, activity or alcohol consumption. They also don’t ask you about family history. They may however ask if you are still under monitoring for cancer with a consultant, medication or when you were signed off.
It’s important you answer these questions truthfully, as it will affect the premium you pay, the coverage offered, and, if it’s discovered you’ve been untruthful, you could end up losing your insurance completely.
Choose the hospital for your cancer treatment
Whether or not you have a choice over where you are treated will depend on the type of coverage you are given. Rest assured, your private health insurance provider will only send you to a hospital that they believe will provide you with the best possible care. If there is a specific hospital that you would like to use because of their reputation or how they treated someone you know, then your private health insurer may be able to factor that into the care they provide. Speak to your provider for more information.