Private health insurance refers to any health insurance coverage that is offered by a private entity instead of a state or federal government. Insurance brokers and companies both fall into this category.
Private health insurance is medical coverage purchased directly by an individual. This coverage may be for the individual alone or for the individual and his or her family and dependents.
What is private health insurance? In Australia, private health insurance allows you to be treated in hospital as a private patient. It can also help pay for health care costs that Medicare doesn't cover, such as physiotherapy. How much and what it covers depends on your policy.
The difference between NHS and private healthcare
Whilst private healthcare providers are independent from the NHS, they are still regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and will be inspected and rated by the CQC – so you can check a provider's rating and standard of care before you book.
Public health insurance is insurance that is subsidized or paid for entirely by public (government) funds. Private health insurance is paid for in part or entirely by the individuals being covered. Several different public options are available in each state, but strict eligibility requirements exist.
Though expensive, private hospitals have in the past gained popularity due to the good quality of services offered in terms of less waiting periods and personalized care. Due to the high cost of services offered, these hospitals attract affluent patients.
Many people wonder if private healthcare is better than the NHS. While there are definitely advantages to going private, the truth is that the standard of care is the same. All doctors, regardless of where they work, are required to do what's right in all circumstances and bound by the same strict regulations.
Due to this, many are left wondering “are private hospitals better than the NHS?” However, this is simply untrue. The standard of care and expertise a patient can expect from an NHS or private hospital is exactly the same.
If your GP thinks you need to see a specialist and you want to pay for it privately, they can write a letter of referral to a private consultant or specialist explaining your condition and your medical history. You may be charged for this.
By law, private health insurance does not offer cover for out-of-hospital medical services including: GP visits. consultations with specialists in their rooms. out-of-hospital diagnostic imaging and tests.
Out of pocket expenses
The government encourages Australians to take out private insurance to reduce burden on the public health system. The other out of pocket cost is the gap fee that is paid if the surgeon or the doctor charges you a higher fee than you are covered for.
If you have private health insurance, you can still use Medicare services. There are times when you can claim Medicare benefits and use your private health insurance at the same time. For example, if you go to a public hospital as a private patient, you may be able to claim: from us for the costs we cover.
Privately insured individuals are more likely to report worse access to care, higher medical costs and lower satisfaction than those on public insurance programs like Medicare, suggesting public options may provide more cost-effective care than private ones, according to a new study published in JAMA on Tuesday.
Private health cover gives you more choice and control if you need to go to hospital. You'll be able to choose your doctor, preferred hospital and the timing of your procedure (subject to availability). You may also be able to request a private room.
You can't choose to mix different parts of the same treatment between NHS and private care. For example, you can't have a cataract operation on the NHS and pay privately for special lens implants that are normally only available as part of private care.
How do I get private healthcare? You usually need to visit your GP first and be referred to private healthcare. If you're interested in going private, just ask your GP if it's an option and they should be able to give you more details. Ask your GP for a referral to a private specialist.
All the hospitals or services you are able to choose from provide treatment to NHS patients free of charge, including private hospitals.
The average yearly premium on private health insurance is around £1,500. This works out at about £125 a month, but lots of people pay much less. The amount you pay depends on your insurer, what's covered on your policy and your own circumstances and current state of health.
Hospital cover helps with the costs of treatment as a private patient in hospital. If you have private hospital cover, you can choose to be treated as a private patient in a public hospital, private hospital or day hospital facility.
What is Basic Cover? Basic cover is the entry level into private health insurance. It covers you for a limited range of services and usually excludes a wide range of hospital treatments. These treatments will vary depending on the insurer and type of policy you choose.
Government hospitals are better:
1. Expenses: The cost of treatment in government hospitals is very low in comparison to the bills of a private hospital. The government hospitals are funded entirely by the government and hence there are even free treatment facilities to poor families.
Private hospitals tend to be the preferred choice because they are not as limited in their budget and are known for quality service in which patients receive individual care and attention. Patients also do not have to spend long periods waiting to be seen because the number of patients per doctor is low.