| Research from the Association of British Insurers | | | | 4. Faster recovery |
| (ABI) showed that the uptake of private medical | | | | A faster recovery was important to many of the |
| insurance (PMI) is on the rise and that around | | | | research participants. Recovering quickly means |
| 7,335,000 people now have some form of private | | | | you'll feel better sooner and also you'll have to |
| health cover in the UK. | | | | take less time off work. |
| Nick Starling, the ABI's Director of General | | | | 5. Ability to see same consultant |
| Insurance and Health, said of the trend: "The | | | | Being able to see the same consultant through |
| continued rise in the number of people covered | | | | private healthcare is important to many people as |
| by PMI is good news. PMI gives people the peace | | | | it gives them continuity of care and reassurance. |
| of mind that they are able to get access to the | | | | 6. Better quality treatment/advice |
| treatment they need, at the time they need it, | | | | Some people feel that they are given a better |
| where they need it. | | | | quality of service and treatment when they are |
| "PMI is good for companies and the economy | | | | treated privately. |
| because it enables employees to get back to | | | | 7. Ability to choose location to suit you |
| work after illness or injury as quickly as possible. | | | | Private healthcare appeals to many people |
| This is why there has been a continued rise in the | | | | because of the choice and flexibility it gives them |
| number of people covered by corporate policies." | | | | over where they receive their treatment. With a |
| Further research from a different organisation | | | | private treatment plan you'll be able to shop |
| polled those who have private medical health | | | | around more and choose the treatment provider |
| insurance on their reasons for doing so. If you | | | | that suits you. |
| don't already have health cover, here are a few | | | | 8. Ability to see specialist at time to suit you |
| things you might want to consider - the top ten | | | | With a private health policy you'll also have more |
| reasons that people choose private healthcare | | | | choice over your appointment dates and times. |
| policies. | | | | This means you'll have more scope to book |
| 1. Cleaner hospitals | | | | something that suits you at a time you can |
| More people are investing in private health | | | | definitely make. |
| insurance because of fears about hospital | | | | 9. Faster return to work |
| cleanliness and hospital 'superbugs' such as MRSA | | | | Time off work is a worry to employees, the |
| and C.difficile. They believe that private hospitals | | | | self-employed and employers. It can mean lost |
| are cleaner and thus safer. | | | | money and increased stress for all concerned. |
| 2. Faster access to specialists | | | | With a private healthcare package, you should be |
| Many people choose private healthcare as it gives | | | | back on your feet and at work sooner, saving |
| them peace of mind, knowing that if they need | | | | you money in the long run. |
| to see a specialist for any reason, they will be | | | | 10. More comfortable hospitals |
| seen quickly. Although research has shown that | | | | When they are ill, many people value comfort and |
| the NHS meets its 18-week targets, 80% of | | | | privacy during their stay in hospital. With a private |
| people in Britain still feel that is still too long to wait | | | | healthcare policy you'll get a private room and the |
| for treatment. | | | | option of luxuries such as a TV in your room. |
| 3. No waiting lists/less pain | | | | These are the top ten reasons that more and |
| Of course being seen quickly has the advantage | | | | more people are choosing to invest in private |
| that you'll be in pain for less time. Additionally, | | | | healthcare. If any of them matter to you, it might |
| often the sooner you are treated, the less | | | | be time to consider private medical health |
| chance there is of long-term or recurring | | | | insurance yourself? |
| problems. | | | | |