It looks as if the infection Rate (R number) in the UK is relatively under control and the lockdown is tentatively reducing.
With this good news the private medical sector will be gradually re-opening to allow more urgent claims and out-patient clinics and this will continue over the Summer all things being equal. The medical insurers now all seem to have a postive response in place for any financial hardships for their policy holders caused by the Covid outbreak and this is backed by some quite thoughtful FCA guidance.As an adviser on healthcare matters I would strongly acknowledge that this has been an unprecedented event for the UK and our industry with the private hospital sector unanimously giving it's bed capacity to the NHS for three months at the start of the crisis. Fortunately the NHS was able to cope and the private capacity was never really used for Covid patients (in fact some non Corona NHS patients were treated in private hospitals to keep them segmented away from Covid positive cases). This means that the private sector will be able to return to normal very quickly and there are signs of this already.
Very few clients with private medical insurance (PMI) cover in place have, in my experience, cancelled or curtailed their cover and as we move forwards immediate access to treatment for minor or painful conditions will be vital for the self employed and companies as the NHS struggles with the ramifications of changes to it's structures for many months. I hope that the private medical insurance sector will continue to help and support the NHS taking some of the pressure off as things normalise.
Should you need any advice on medical insurance - whether we have an existing business/client relationship or not please do feel free to get in touch - I am always happy to chat all things medical insurance. At this pivotal moment I think the financial services industry needs to pull together and if you need any help or advice on medical insurance, cash plans, EAP, health screening etc. just drop me a line or call.
Please keep safe and look after your families.
Phil
Phil Knight
Independent Healthcare Consultant
Tel : 07792 075748
Email : philknight@pch.uk.com
Web : pch.uk.com/consultants/phil-d-knight/
May 2020
This blogpost is the opinion of the author only and in no way purports to represent Premier Choice Healthcare.
