Health Insurance
for Children

In these unprecedented times, people, especially kids, are prone to a lot of diseases. It is natural for parents to be concerned about their children's health, which is why having health insurance for children is important to assist them in recovering when they become unwell.

What Is Child Health Insurance?

Private health insurance for children is a type of insurance that covers healthcare for children under the age of 18. Insurance provides coverage for medical care and treatments in a variety of situations. From common childhood colds to more serious illnesses, which are usually less predicted, children's health insurance provides access to the best treatment for your kids, supporting them when they need you the most.

Children's health insurance only covers a range of medical treatments for children under the age of 18 and can cover a variety of healthcare services that the NHS doesn't cover.

Does My Child Need Private Healthcare?

Depending on the level of coverage, child health insurance provides your children with instant access to treatment for various medical ailments. Children's health insurance is also more affordable than many people believe. Utilising private healthcare has some advantages versus using the NHS, including:

• Special expertise in healthcare treatment alternatives that aren't covered by public health insurance.
• To ensure your child's comfort, you will get a private room with private amenities (separate washrooms), a TV, air conditioning, and a telephone. It may even include accommodation for parents whose children are sick in the hospital.
• Treatment at a private hospital of your preference in your neighbourhood.
• Treatment at your convenience, allowing you to work around their school schedule.
• Visitation hours are unlimited, allowing your family to come whenever it is most convenient for them.
• Subject to policy, access to the latest drugs, which are usually not available on the NHS.
• Shorter turnaround time because you won't be on the NHS's (sometimes extensive) standby list

Choosing private healthcare can benefit both the NHS and the people who use it. More people receiving private medical treatment equals less strain on the existing UK’s public healthcare system.

What Will Health Insurance for Kids Cover?

The amount of coverage provided by your child's private health insurance policy will be determined by the type of policy you purchase for them. Many insurance companies give coverage for the following categories:

The following is a list of what most health insurance policies cover; these can be added as extras to your existing private policy if not covered already.

• Acute medical ailments that require treatment (common cold, flu, infections, pneumonia, asthma attack, broken bones, burns)
• Treatment for cancer
• Treatment for psychiatric disorders
• Dental care
• Eyecare and consultations
• Private consultations
• Physiotherapy
• Diagnostic services
• Pharmacy
• Prostheses
• Nursing care at home

What Does It Not Cover?

Similar to adult health insurance policies, children’s private health insurance might not cover everything. Many policies, for example, do not cover:

• Organ transplants
• Kidneys dialysis
• Treatment for cosmetic purposes
• Long-term or chronic illnesses, such as type 1 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. Some insurance providers do cover it, but many will not.
• Pre-existing medical ailments like allergies, sleep apnea, Lupus, etc
• Illness or injuries caused by doing dangerous sports or activities
• Hearing aids and mobility
• Pregnancy and childbirth

How Much Is Private Healthcare for Children?

Private health insurance is normally affordable when purchased for kids - even less expensive than adult policies. The younger the age is, the lower the cost. However, age isn't the only element that influences your insurance rates; your location or region matters, since the North West, South East, and London all have costlier private health insurance than the rest of the country. Also, the more comprehensive a policy is likely to be, the more expensive it will be than basic coverage. Hence, always consider your policy choices before purchasing.

Like other types of insurance, child health insurance in the UK usually has two primary costs that you must check beforehand.

What Should I Look for in Health Insurance for Children?

Besides the cost, there are many different things to see while comparing child health insurance quotes online.

Coverage Level

You must choose your level of coverage when purchasing a child medical insurance policy. If you are short of cash, search for a budget policy for affordable health insurance; this will only provide minimal coverage for your child. Many people can afford mid-range premiums because they cover complete full inpatient and outpatient treatment costs. The most expensive and greatest level of coverage is comprehensive medical insurance.

Discount Programs

During these tough times, many families are short of cash. To make sure everyone can afford these policies, there are discount programs available to keep the child's health insurance economical. These are some of them:

• Increasing policy's excess
• Co-payments
• A six-week wait period option
• Lower hospitalisation coverage

Underwriting Types

A moratorium, full medical underwriting, and switch are the three forms of underwriting available when purchasing a child's health insurance coverage.

• With a moratorium, your kid will not be insured for ailments they have had in the previous five years but will be insured after two years of being symptom-free. You will not be required to reveal any medical information.
• When you apply for a policy with full medical underwriting, you must submit your whole medical history, and the insurance company may refuse to cover you if you have any pre-existing ailments. Before purchasing insurance, you will always be informed of the exclusions.
• A switch, also known as CPME (Continuing Personal Medical Exclusions), allows you to move from one policy without losing coverage.

Does a Child Need a Medical Check to Get Health Insurance?

Some policies need you to complete and sign a health declaration that mentions any pre-existing conditions or ailments, while others require you to undergo health checks. However, policies like the moratorium do not ask for any of these.

Does Getting Health Insurance Mean My Child Can Still Use the NHS?

Yes, because private health insurance is meant to work alongside the NHS, your kid will still be eligible for free care at your GP and in A&E. This is great because the NHS can provide treatment for illnesses if private medical insurance does not cover them. Parents always have the option of whether to treat their kid at a private hospital or NHS.

How Can I Reduce the Cost of My Child’s Private Health Insurance?

You can use the following steps to receive an affordable private health insurance quote for your kid:

• Increasing the excess payment: The money you put towards the cost of your claim before your insurer pays the balance is known as an excess payment. Some insurers provide the option of paying a higher voluntary excess cost to encourage consumers to only file claims when required. Increasing your voluntary excess can help you save money on your premiums.
• Choosing your insurance policies: It's usually a good idea to think about how much coverage you truly need so you don't end up paying for treatment you might obtain for free elsewhere, such as the NHS. Your company may potentially provide coverage for your child's medical needs.
• Fewer hospital choices: Insurers may lower your premiums if you limit the number of hospitals from which you can get your child’s treatment.
• Choosing a six-week option: A six-week option means you can only file a claim if you cannot receive treatment from the NHS within six weeks; this healthcare plan can also help you save money on your insurance.