private insurance plans

[gamecockfan]

Do many Scottish companies offer private health insurance plans to their employees or do most people simply use the national plan? If one obtains private policies would this generally be through their employers or completely on their own?

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

Private health insurance in Scotland is normally offered as a package of benefits to an employee through their employer. They are quite popular and have a lot of perceived value to the employee. The more senior position you hold the more likely these types of policies are extended to not only the employee but also their direct family.

It is normally classed as a benefit in kind so the employee has to pay tax on the contributions made. Some employers will also cover this cost to essentially make it free to the employee.

 

[stressmom]

and why can't the United States have plans like these instead of ours where we struggle to pay premiums from month and God forbid we get sick- then may lose what coverage we have altogether and never be able to regain insurance again?

 

[Former Member 1]

Well, it has to be said, that these plans whilst not all that rare are not at all common either. There are certain industries where it's seen as a standard perk others (like teaching) where it's virtually unheard of.

Another point is that private plan or not we already pay into a compulsory health plan. Although over the years its scope and purpose has become abused and perverted by successive administrations. Whether the premium is met by employer or employee it's ultimately part of the renumeration package and in the final analysis we pay twice for the same thing...

And from the employers perspective this is particularly galling. The value of paying for an employees health insurance is essentially contained in the concept of your employee gets 'broken' you've got maintenance cover t0 make sure they get 'fixed' and put back into service quickly... That's only necessary because the NHS doesn't work as well as it did (say) 25 or 30 years ago....

 

[Brian]

Private healthcare as Matt rightly points out is mostly found in the private sector and normally only for key employees, although it has diversified a bit in the past few years. I have private medical cover myself which come is useful lately when I had to get some dental treatment. Normal dentist said three months but when I called my insurers they got me an appointment within two weeks!

Brian IFA

 

[TomB]

That makes me sick, that, NHS dentist that have 3 month waiting lists but if you pay to go private they'll see you the next week.

Why do we bother paying National Insurance in this country to then have to pay for our treatment on top of it privately.

lets face it the way this country is going, were all going to end up on NHs waiting lists for months, with no teeth working until they day we pop our cloggs.

I got a sales call for dental insurance, a few weeks ago telling my all the benefits, i said why should i pay, i already pay national Insurance, why should i fork out more money for something i should be entitled to already, not surprisingly she was experience difficulties with her phone and had to cut me off

honestly sometimes i really think its time to emigrate from the UK

 

[AnnitaF]

Thanks for the helpful info!

 

[Okdar]

Private health insurance in Scotland is normally offered as a package of benefits to an employee through their employer.

 

[Ford Jones]

In Scotland, as in the rest of the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) provides publicly funded healthcare services that are available to all residents. However, private health insurance is also an option for those who want to access certain medical services and benefits that might not be covered by the NHS or who prefer quicker access to care.
Here are some points to consider regarding private health insurance in Scotland:

1. Private Health Insurance Usage: Private health insurance is less common in Scotland than in some other countries, such as the United States, where private insurance is more prevalent due to the nature of the healthcare system. In the UK, including Scotland, most people rely on the NHS for their healthcare needs.
2. Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance: While private health insurance might not be as common as in some other countries, there are employers in Scotland that offer private health insurance as part of their employee benefits package. This can be seen more often in larger companies or industries where employee benefits are competitive.
3. Individual Purchases: Some individuals, including those who are self-employed or who work for smaller companies that don't offer private health insurance, might choose to purchase private health insurance on their own. This can provide them with access to private medical facilities, shorter wait times for non-urgent procedures, and other perks.
4. Supplementary Health Insurance: Some individuals might opt for supplementary health insurance policies that cover specific services not fully covered by the NHS, such as dental or optical care.
5. Hybrid Approach: Some people might choose to maintain their access to NHS services for most of their healthcare needs while also having private health insurance for specific situations, such as elective procedures or specialist consultations.
6. Personal Choice: The decision to obtain private health insurance is often a personal one, influenced by factors such as financial considerations, health needs, and personal preferences.

It's important to note that the healthcare landscape can change over time, and preferences can vary among individuals and businesses. If you're considering private health insurance in Scotland, it's advisable to research different providers, policy options, and costs, and to consult with insurance experts to make an informed decision based on your needs and circumstances.