If you are a foreign student and you do not qualify for treatment on the NHS because you are from outside the EU or any other reasons, you will need to get private health insurance, as private health care can be very expensive in the UK compared to most other countries. If you have an accident or fall ill, only emergency treatment will be provided for free by the NHS. If you are fortunate enough to qualify for treatment on the NHS, you may still want to take a private health insurance policy designed for foreign students that are studying in the UK.
Apart from private medical expenses, there are all sorts of other expenses you’ll have to factor into your decision. If you become ill, you may lose the tuition fees you paid if you don’t complete your UK studies. You may need to pay for a relative to visit you if you need caring for. You may also need to pay for a return flights home for treatment.
If you buy a health insurance a policy that allows you to have private health care in the UK are just some of the benefits.
Health insurance policies allow patients access to some of the country’s leading treatments and health specialists that might not be available on the NHS due to the cost of these consultants and pioneering treatments.
Depending on the hospital list you choose as a PMI patient you will have access to some of the best hospitals available. Many of these will include your own room, TV and changing rooms as well as en-suite facilities and much better food options than the NHS.
Waiting times for medical treatment are a fraction of what they are the on NHS. Meaning as a student you can get back to studying quicker and get the most from your tuition fees.
If you are a UK student studying abroad, ordinary UK private medical insurance may not provide the international protection you need. Check the countries, treatment types, repatriation and US cover in the written terms. A broker can compare only the insurers available through its service and cannot guarantee a cheaper result, but may help you distinguish UK cover from international health or travel insurance. Get a free quote to start a search.
Good luck with your studies in the UK or abroad!