Traditionally, private medical insurance companies would not cover what they deemed to be 'experimental' treatments - but it looks that will be changing, as this article explains.
Private Medical Insurance. Experimental treatments could now be covered.
Author: Emma Mayo
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So what happens if your doctor recommends that the best course of action would be to have a newer type of treatment, rather than a long established standard procedure? For the sake of your health, you will probably be wanting to take your doctor's recommendation. However, many private medical insurance policies simply do not allow for this.
The issue has come to light as a number of people have been recommended experimental treatment, only to find that the insurer will not cover it. These people complained to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) who, in some cases, rules against the insurers. One of the treatments that has emerged as something that should be paid for is a new form of varicose vein surgery. Standard practice in the USA for the last five years, insurers in the UK were refusing to pay out until the FOS made their decision.
A type of larynx surgery which is performed by laser is also now to be insured, as is bladder surgery carried out by keyhole rather than through an open wound, and a new type of spinal treatment which means vastly reduced side effects.