Private Medical Insurance (PMI) covers the costs of private medical treatment for curable short term medical conditions, referred to frequently as acute conditions. PMI pays for surgery, specialists, accommodation and nursing at a private hospital or in a private ward of an NHS hospital.
In general, PMI plans do not cover chronic or critical illness which cannot be cured, for example hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, asthma or diabetes. However, in a crisis, most PMI policies will pay the cost of treatment for stabilising a patient and returning them to their previous level of health when possible. If you have a PMI policy when you are diagnosed with hepatitis C, it may cover early investigations and treatment. However, PMI contracts are offered on an annual basis so it is likely that your policy will be changed to limit or exclude payments related to hepatitis C.
One type of PMI policy that you may be offered as someone with hepatitis C is a Moratorium. This is when you are asked to fill in a form, but you are not asked to give details of your medical history. Instead, the insurance company does not cover any medical condition which pre-existed (that usually means in the last five years). These conditions may automatically become eligible for cover, but only if you do not have symptoms, or receive treatment, medication, tests or advice (from your GP or a specialist) for that condition for a continuous period of (usually) two years after your policy has started.
Hepatitis C is a chronic condition that generally requires regular or occasional treatment and medication. Also it is sensible to have regular tests and advice. For this reason a moratorium policy is unwise as it offers a financial incentive for not seeking treatment. This is a high risk insurance option and you should not delay getting medical advice or treatment, simply to get cover.
If your insurance company offers a "moratorium", they will give you printed information explaining how their particular moratorium works. You may also want to ask the insurance company, or salesperson, to explain how it works. Sales people should be asked to clarify Moratorium terms particularly how far back the company considers pre-existing conditions 2 years? 5 years? Since birth?
