How health insurance can make you healthier

You probably think of health insurance as something that steps up when your health suffers. 

Maybe you use it to pay for an operation that you might otherwise face a long wait for in the public system, or when you book a specialist appointment that might otherwise cost you a significant amount.

But health insurance can play a role in keeping you healthier to begin with, too.

Here are a few ways it can act as a guardian as well as a saviour.

You’re more likely to seek treatment

Health insurance – it’s about peace of mind. If you know your health cover is going to smooth the process, you’re much less likely to put off getting a check-up or following up on a niggling health worry. People with health insurance have the peace of mind that they can get their ailments attended to without having to worry about a big bill, or the possibility of difficult engagement with the public health system.

Treatment is likely to be prompt

When you’re having an issue dealt with through the private healthcare system, paid by health insurance, there’s a lot less waiting. 

Most of the time, when you’re making a claim on your health insurance, you’ll be seen quickly – and hopefully before a minor problem turns into a bigger one. You may also be able to access drugs that are not Government-funded, which increases the range of treatment options available to you, should you need them.

You may have access to better screening

Your health insurance may give you access to routine health screening that can help identify problems before they turn into major health conditions. Many insurance policies have a prophylactic treatment allowance that allows for people to be treated to guard against a medical issue that might be coming – such as a cancer that could arise from a genetic mutation that’s been discovered. 

It focuses your mind

While some insurers offer apps to help reward you for being fit and healthy, the fact of having health insurance in general can help you put more priority on your wellbeing. Regular communications from your insurer remind you that your health is important and something to be mindful of.

Heath insurance is a crucial part of many people’s financial lives. It gives you the freedom to make decisions about when and how you want to be treated, and often to choose who you deal with and where your appointments are.

The younger and healthier you are when you take out the policy, the more affordable it is likely to be in most cases. Plus, you’re less likely to have developed a medical condition that would be deemed ‘pre-existing’ down the line and excluded from a future health insurance policy. Having said this, health insurance is worth considering at any stage of life. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like to learn more about your options. 

Need advice?

If you need a health insurance check-up, or want to talk about the possibility of new cover, get in touch. We can help you understand the policies available to ensure you settle on the most appropriate one for you.