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1. Critical Illness Cover – Health insurance for the elderly

2. Although many of the health issues faced by senior citizens are not necessarily urgent, such as problems with knees and hips, they are still very much an on going problem.

3. Those affected are often faced with long waiting lists on the NHS and by the time treatment is available the problem may have worsened. Senior health insurance is designed to give those in need fast effective treatment in private hospitals. Many policies will also provide private rooms and ambulances.

4. There are three main types of senior insurance plans available:

5. Basic

6. A basic insurance plan aims to cover essential treatments and will also provide consultations, tests and conditions that require an over night stay will also be fully covered. This means that basic senior health treatment will be offered quickly and effectively at an affordable price.

7. Comprehensive

8. As well as full cover for basic ailments that require an overnight stay. A comprehensive elderly insurance plan will also provide treatments, consultations and tests where an overnight stay is not necessary.

9. In addition to this comprehensive polices are far more likely to offer services such as home nursing and private ambulances if they are required. A comprehensive plan will also offer a greater level of physiotherapy than a basic plan.

10. Mid Range

11. The level and range of coverage available with these polices can differ widely between providers, for example some basic plans will cover for nursing homes, whereas others will not. With this in mind a number of providers are now offering plans that are positioned in the middle of the two. With this type of plan customers are able to select specific requirements or highlight any priorities they may have. With this type of policy customers are able to choose the most appropriate cover for them.

12. Before choosing a policy, applicants must take into consideration what they can afford. Even though we all want the best cover available this is not always a viable option. However in order to make senior health insurance more affordable and reduce your premiums there are a number of options available.

13. Six week wait

14. With this option customers will agree to have treatment on the NHS if the waiting list in less than 6 weeks. If the waiting list is longer than 6 weeks then private treatment will be arranged. Implementing this option means that customers will receive treatment within 6 weeks, whether privately or through the NHS.

15. Excess

16. With this option, customers agree to pay part of the initial cost of treatment. Excesses are normally set at £100 and £250 but can be set as high as £1,000 depending on the customer’s requirements.

17. Normally the higher the excess you set, the lower the monthly premiums will become. The excess for most policies is set on a per policy annual basis, meaning that if you need any medical treatment then the excess is only applicable for the year, it then must be topped up.

18. Given the various options available and the different options that can be included it is vital to select the right policy for you. For example a higher level of physiotherapy may be more important to some than a private ambulance service. Before going ahead customers should therefore seek independent advice.

19. Critical Illness Cover – Health insurance for the elderly