If you've searched the internet for private health insurance that covers lichen planus then you are most likely for looking for established UK based health insurance companies that will cover lichen planus.
Our advice when shopping around for private medical insurance that covers lichen planus is to speak to a insurance broker. Health insurance is very complex and if you want absolute certainty that lichen planus is covered you should consult with a broker who can explain which policy providers will cover this medical condition and which will exclude it.
There are many advantages to using a insurance broker but the largest by far is that you're using their insurance training at no cost. They are paid by the insurer (Aviva or Bupa etc) rather than you so it costs you no extra to use their brokering services.
- Do you reside in many different postcodes? Some will give you a lower policy premium than offers. A broker will be able to advise whats best.
- Do you have a hobby that may invalidate your insurance policy? A broker will know this vital information.
- If you are a couple and one of you has claimed on your policy this year would it be cheaper to separate you both onto two different insurance policies?
- You've lean't you're at risk of developing a certain medical condition and want to know which policy provider offers the largest amount of cover for it. A broker will know this instantly saving you so much time and effort.
You can call around every health insurance provider you can find and ask if they cover lichen planus, however this will be a very time consuming process. Each insurer will ask for your medical history because its not normally a simple yes or not if a medical condition is covered or not.
Its much quicker to speak to one medical insurance broker which will know which providers on the market cover lichen planus and under what conditions they do or don't cover it.
Lichen Planus Information
Lichen planus is a non-infectious, itchy rash that can affect many areas of the body.
Affected areas can include the:
Read more about the symptoms of lichen planus.
The exact cause of lichen planus is unknown. However, the condition isn't infectious and doesn't usually run in families. It can't be passed on to other people, including sexual partners.
Read more about the causes of lichen planus.
A GP can usually diagnose lichen planus by examining the rash and asking about your symptoms. Oral lichen planus is often diagnosed by a dentist during routine dental check-ups.
Read more about diagnosing lichen planus.
Lichen planus is thought to affect 1-2% of the worldwide population. It's more common in adults over the age of 40.
Lichen planus of the skin affects men and women equally. However, oral lichen planus is more common in women. The mouth is affected in around 50% of all cases of lichen planus (oral lichen planus).
There's no single treatment that can cure lichen planus completely. However, treatments are available to help manage the symptoms and make living with it easier. For example, steroid creams or ointments are often used to help relieve the itch and control the rash.
Most cases of lichen planus of the skin clear up on their own within 6 to 9 months. The rash rarely lasts longer than 18 months. However, oral lichen planus and lichen planus that affects the genital area may be more persistent.
Read more about how lichen planus is treated.
Erosive lichen planus is a rare form of lichen planus that can last a long time. It causes painful ulcers to develop in the mouth and in the genital areas of both males and females.
In some cases, long-term erosive lichen planus can increase the chance of some types of cancer developing.
Read our page on complications of lichen planus for more information about erosive lichen planus.