In the United Kingdom we’ve become accustomed to primary health care being provided by the state. The National Health Service was born on the 5th of July 1948 and continues to be the dominant provider of health care. But alongside the NHS, there has always been a private health system too, commonly paid for with health insurance.
For many people, it might seem that there is no need to pay health insurance, because the national system provides all that is required. However, when someone is ill and is confronted with a serious medical condition and a long waiting list to get treatment, it can suddenly seem like a good idea. Being ill is something that most of us think little about until it actually happens to us. When it does, the old adage that ‘health is the first wealth’ often comes to the fore. It’s no good, many would argue, having a lot of material wealth if you’re unable to enjoy it fully. Having health insurance can help you get back on your feet more quickly than the national system would allow.
In terms of chronic illness, providers of health insurance will not normally provide cover – as this area is covered by the National Health Service. There is, however, no restriction on what kind of medical insurance or services can be provided – despite the dominance of the NHS.
One of the big things that people prefer about private health care when compared to state run health care is comfort. Those who benefit from health insurance find they are treated much more like a customer and are given extras such as private accommodation (whereas the state system can only offer shared wards – sometimes of mixed sex). Once someone has enjoyed these benefits, it is quite difficult to return to state run health care services.
At least in the United Kingdom, the NHS is under a great deal of pressure and many of the niceties you would find in private health care are sometimes missing in state health care. As the budgets of all government departments in the UK look set to be cut heavily over the next few years, any issues arising from the NHS being overstretched will no doubt be further exacerbated as time moves on. There is little many of us can do about this, but if the companies we work for provide us with health insurance – or if we can afford private health care ourselves, then we might be in the lucky position of experiencing something a little more comfortable.
Overall, health insurance is simply a sign that we are free to run our own medical affairs, free to chose who provides us with medical care –even if it’s of an unorthodox variety such as aromatherapy. This kind of insurance can often set our minds at ease that if we do ever need medical attention, it is likely to be a very comfortable, if not enjoyable, experience. In the United Kingdom, there are a range of health insurance providers and associated medical practitioners.
