What are the main benefits of PMI?

Apart from the ones already mentioned (reduced waiting times, private rooms, and treatments unavailable on the NHS) the key benefits are the ability to get specialist referrals, meaning you can ask your GP to refer you to an expert to get a second opinion or specialist help, getting the scans you want, when you want, choosing your surgeon or hospital, and comprehensive access to therapies. Private medical insurance providers are also embracing technology. As an example, some schemes include remote access to a GP, meaning you can actually see a GP via a video link on your phone 24/7, choose your GP by gender and language, and even order repeat prescriptions, without the usual three week wait to get an appointment at your GP surgery. Of course, the primary benefit is having access to specialist treatment from an expert at a location of your choice with a private room, which can help aid the recovery process. Businesses have also found that it is an essential tool in the recruitment and retention of staff, as well as helping employees return to work sooner following mental health illness, or injury.

Will PMI cover existing medical conditions?

It depends on the exact policy you take out. Usually PMI will exclude any pre-existing conditions and will also have general exclusions such as alcohol and/or drug abuse. There are some exceptions to this rule, however. In some cases, for groups with a minimum of ten members, you can have your medical history disregarded, although this is not common. More likely for inclusion is cases when there has been no reoccurrence of the condition for a few years. For example, if you’ve had problems with your back in the past – but had no issues for two years you may find this is covered by your insurer.

Does PMI include treatment such as physiotherapy and dental cover?

Therapies, including physiotherapy, chiropody, and acupuncture to name a few, are usually core benefits of PMI. Dental and optical cover are generally not included as standard, but policies can be tailored to include such benefits to best suit your needs.

Do I need a medical to get PMI?

Absolutely not! Long gone are the days when you need to have a 50-point check-up before you can get healthcare. There are a couple of ways in which the insurer will work with you to get you covered. Completing a detailed application form (known as ‘ full medical underwriting ’) will outline your exclusions at inception and will stand for the life of the policy or through a ‘ moratorium’ . A moratorium excludes all pre-existing conditions from the last five years for a set period, (usually two years) but can then include them after that.

How much does private medical insurance cost?

That’s a difficult question to answer as there are many factors that are taken into account when preparing a quote such as age, address, and the cover options you choose. But the average cost, in the UK, is less than £4 a day.

What about claims? Anything I need to know?

It’s important to get to know the claims process. You can’t just assume you’re covered. When you purchase PMI you will receive your policy certificate outlining your cover and any limitations set out, as well as a guide to how to make a claim – but the simplest thing to remember is to speak to a GP first, and call the appropriate claims helpline for authorisation before you receive any treatment.

Group Private Medical Insurance | Alan Boswell Group

Name: Group Private Medical Insurance
Brand: Alan Boswell Group
Rating: 4.9 (1420 reviews)

No one denies we have a wonderful National Health Service, but most people would accept that it is under strain and in some cases waiting lists can be very long and treatments limited. Private medical insurance enables you to skip the waiting lists, benefit from private hospital rooms, and often receive drugs and treatments which are unavailable on the NHS.

Group PMI is an attractive employee benefit, keeping you, your staff, business, and profits healthy; an affordable private health solution providing a valued benefit for employee and employer alike.

Employees receive prompt treatment at a time convenient for everyone

Access to private facilities often with access to TV, phone, and the internet

Choice of consultant and hospital

Specialist treatments, often unavailable on the NHS

The Alan Boswell Group Difference

There are so many variations to private medical insurance that it can be very confusing.

With many PMI providers offering online solutions it may be tempting to buy online – but the risk is that you end up with too little, too much, or the wrong cover entirely.

Getting advice is the best way to make sure you’re getting the right solution for you. At Alan Boswell Group we have expert Health Consultants on-hand to help with your group healthcare questions.

How our customers rate us

A very professional, responsive and supportive service. No question was too much trouble for them to answer. Alan Boswell Group took all the pain out of the process.

Hilary - Private Medical Insurance

4.9/5 1420 reviews

Group private medial insurance in detail

At some point, as your business grows you will inevitably make the decision to add in some employee benefits. You’ll do some competitor analysis and note that other companies are offering flexible-working or have an enhanced bonus scheme. You may review your pension contributions or offer some life insurance solutions.

One of the key benefits you may consider is private medical insurance.

Offering PMI adds values that are attractive to both employees and employer. Not only do your staff benefit from reduced waiting times, private rooms, access to treatments unavailable on the NHS, faster diagnosis, choice of surgeon or hospital, and comprehensive access to therapies, but your company benefits from staff returning to work quicker, improved company welfare, and you’re likely to be considered a better place to work.

Dental and optical

Treatment costs covered for extended treatment

GP access

24/7 access to a GP online or via your phone. Prescription service included.

Therapies

Therapy insurance to cover extended treatments from a physio, chiropractor etc.

Diagnosis

Speed up diagnosis with direct access to consultants, tests, MRIs, and CT scans.

Health checks

Annual health checks, either at a private hospital or self-administered at home.

Stress support

Confidential 24/7 telephone support line and, often, counselling options over the phone or face-to-face.

Mental health

Supports staff well-being. Includes psychiatric cover.

Family cover

Extend your cover to include your spouse and children.

At Alan Boswell Group we have various solutions designed to fit your requirements and budget. By taking the time to get to know you and your business we can help you decide if one of our packaged solutions meets your needs or whether a fully bespoke solution is best.

Check out our guide to the ‘Top 10 things to know about Group PMI’

Group PMI - Top 10 things to know

Business expense

It is important to remember that group PMI is a benefit-in-kind and will usually be offset as a business expense.

Our solutions

We have a wide choice of group PMI solutions:

GP+

24/7 GP access
Up to three physio sessions
Online health check
Private nurse helpline

Level 3

24/7 GP access
Up to five physio sessions
Online health check and vitamin D tests
Private nurse helpline, cancer nurse support
+ Diagnosis – consultations, diagnostic tests, MRI and CT scans

Level 2

24/7 GP access
Up to eight physio sessions
Online health check, vitamin D and cholesterol tests
Private nurse helpline, cancer nurse support
+ Diagnosis – consultations, diagnostic tests, MRI and CT scans
+ Treatment – specialists, surgeons, room, dressings and drugs

Level 1

24/7 GP access
Unlimited physio sessions
Online health check, vitamin D, cholesterol, and diabetes tests
Private nurse helpline, cancer nurse support
+ Diagnosis – consultations, diagnostic tests, MRI, and CT scans
+ Treatment – specialists, surgeons, room, dressings, and drugs

Why choose health trusts?

Health trusts are a flexible alternative suited to larger organisations paying more than £250,000 for annual PMI cover.

Tailored cover to suit your organisation
Premiums directly fund claims
Excess funds are refunded to the organisation at the end of the year
Significant cost saving when compared to Group PMI

Why choose health cash plans?

Common treatment fees are covered, e.g. routine dental check-ups, contact lenses, and optician costs
Plans also cover many common treatments such as physiotherapy, health, wellbeing treatments, and chiropody
No GP referral needed
Can be used alongside existing PMI schemes