As awareness of the self-pay option for private health has grown, the need has emerged for advice and support for people making decisions about the most suitable hospital to use. CareHealth aims to provide much of the relevant background information, but cannot make recommendations tailored to the circumstances of particular individuals. Several advisory services have been set up designed to provide personalised advice. These services claim the following advantages:
Brief details of the main advice services are given below. Some charge an annual fee, while others make no charge to patients. Many, but not all, of the services have agreed commission arrangements with the hospitals they recommend and are therefore effectively acting as brokers. You may wish to check that the service has arrangements with all the major hospital groups and with NHS private patient units. Most of the services focus on UK hospitals, but some specialists are now providing advice on private medical treatment in continental Europe, the US and other parts of the world. Details of selected overseas hospitals are given in private hospitals outside the UK.
Private company. Charges: £60 a year, which covers a household. Service includes 24 hour SharedCare Nurseline. Advises on whether NHS treatment or private treatment represents best option.
Part of Exeter Friendly Society, also a health insurer. Charges: £34.95 a year for individuals, £39.95 for families. Also gives advice on choosing medical insurance. Service includes 24 hour helpline staffed by qualified nurses. Arrangement with Lloyds TSB to offer loans for treatment. Option of setting up a savings account for medical expenses. Requires £5000 initial deposit and pays interest at 1.5% below base rate.
Private company. Stresses personal service. Charges: £15 a year, which covers up to five people. Service includes 365 day a year Post Operative Medical Help line staffed by qualified nurses. Financially independent: does not receive commission from hospitals, but agrees transparent sharing with subscribers of savings obtained on medical expenses.
Confusingly unrelated to Go Private service above. Free service providing access to networks of consultants in private practice, who have been through a quality assessment process. Members also receive 8% discount on consultants' fees. Does not provide personal advice on choosing specific consultant.
Not a personalised self-pay advice service but a guide available by post (£19.99) or by download (£14.99) to hospitals and clinics across Europe which are happy to receive English speaking patients. Claims large savings compared to UK prices. Also advice for NHS patients seeking treatment in Europe. Subscribers also receive access to dedicated medical support line.
Charges no higher than standard rates for treatment. Provides advice to people outside the US seeking hospital treatment in the USA on most suitable hospitals and specialists. Makes arrangements and provides travel itinerary. MedAlliance program ensures close communication with doctors and specialists in patient's own country.