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Why Might Private Mental Health Cover be Important?

Private mental health cover offers numerous advantages over relying solely on NHS services. As highlighted by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the demand for mental health services has surged, and the NHS is struggling to meet this growing need.

Opting for private health insurance may allow individuals to benefit from:

• Faster Access to Treatment: Private insurers often provide quicker access to mental health professionals, ensuring you receive support when you need it most.
• Broader Treatment Options: Private health insurance usually offers a wider range of treatment modalities, including innovative therapies that may not be available through the NHS.
• Personalised Care: With private cover, you can choose practitioners and treatment plans that best suit your individual needs, leading to a more tailored approach to your mental health.

Understanding Mental Health Cover and Health Insurance

Cover for mental health varies by insurer, but generally includes:

• Standard Treatment Cover: Some insurers provide some level of mental health treatment cover as part of their standard offerings.
• Add-On / Upgrade Options: Customers typically have the option to enhance their cover, particularly for hospital treatments and specialist care.
• Value-Added Benefits: Many insurers now include additional benefits such as talking therapies, access to private GP appointments, as well as gym & fitness discounts - which have been shown to significantly enhance overall well-being and provide a substantial boost to mental health. The value-added benefits can be accessed without affecting no claims bonuses and are available regardless of pre-existing medical history.

Different types of treatment

• Inpatient: An overnight or longer stay in hospital for treatment.
• Daypatient: Admission to hospital, you have your own room, but are discharged the same day.
• Outpatient: No admission to hospital. An appointment with a professional such as a counsellor.

What Mental Health Conditions are Covered Under Health Insurance?

Here’s a quick overview of the common conditions generally covered:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Eating Disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Stress-Related Issues

Conditions Generally Excluded

• Dementia
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Learning Disabilities

Important Notes

• Value-added benefits are often non-contractual agreements, which means they could be withdrawn or altered at any time.
• If mental health treatment is required normally this will be subject to medical underwriting and therefore conditions you were diagnosed with before joining your insurer may be excluded.