Britain has said that it will not commit itself to financing a health tourism free-for-all proposal that will give people the right to go for the best and fastest treatment in European countries.

The proposal for free cross-border health care was put forward by the European Commission this week and it would guarantee that the cost of treatment in other EU countries will be reimbursed by the patient’s own health scheme back home.

The plan comes after years of legal cases in which European courts ruled that freedom to cross EU borders for treatment should be a right for all.

Before this development the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) was often relied on for emergency care across the EU for patients who fell ill abroad.

However, only those with health insurance at home could be eligible to use the EHIC in the event of emergency treatment.

Reacting cautiously to the proposal, the Department of Health said it was only a draft Directive and that it would be subject to change during negotiations on the issue between EU health ministers.

“The Government is clear that health tourism will not be funded by the NHS. We are also absolutely committed to ensuring that, where UK patients choose to travel abroad for care, the NHS retains the ability to decide what care it would fund,” said a Department of Health spokesman.

The number of Brits taking out private medical insurance (PMI) has dramatically increased in recent years according to consumer website fool.co.uk.

Additionally, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said the number of people covered by PMI in 2007 broke the 7 million barrier.

Individuals have sought health insurance privately, and businesses have also wised up to the demand for PMI. Many companies now offer private health care as a benefit for employees.

Bupa suggests this trend will continue in 2008. It reports that there has been a 20% increase in sales in the first three months of this year despite widespread belt-tightening.

If you’re concerned that you might not get the care you need from your local hospital, PMI might buy you some peace of mind.

But fool.co.uk says that while people should be able to get the treatments they need on the NHS, there is no guarantee that they will get them straightaway. At the same time, PMI could cut down the waiting time. The website says that there are also some drugs the NHS won’t approve, which are available to those who opt for private care.

The price of PMI can start from around £12 per month (£2.77 a week), though £30 per month might be a more reasonable estimate, depending upon age and health.

It’s one of life’s simple truths; we can all get sick and hurt at any moment. Hopefully these moments will be few and far between but when they happen we want the best of care. With the National Health Service being over so overburdened the average outpatient waits up to 7 weeks for an appointment leaving many people gritting their teeth and suffering as they wait for care. Sadly, for most people, the idea of private medical care seems far too expensive and out of reach to provide an alternative but that needn’t be the case.

Health insurance is a guarantee that medical care will be available for you the moment you need it and will provide it to you in the most convenient way for you.

Private medical insurance will cover the costs of medical treatments for short term medical conditions referred to as ‘acute conditions’. 

How much does health insurance cost?

The cost of health insurance varies depending on insurer, level of coverage, whether an individual or group are covered, and the health of the person looking to be insured.

The more comprehensive the cover, the higher the cost will be. If you want to be treated in the best private hospitals then the cost will also rise.

Your premium will also rise annual in line with medical inflation which tends to run at a faster rate than regular inflation. This is due to the relatively high turn over of new treatments being invented. Your age will also, inevitably, play a part in how much your insurance costs.  Most insurers will bracket people into age groups of about 4 or 5 years and the older you are the costlier insurance will be.

You may also be offered a no claims discount, although this policy varies.

What types of health insurance are there?

There are a variety of policies available with different levels of coverage, these include:

• Private Medical Insurance: provides funds for consultations, tests and operations you need. You should be able to choose where you would like to be treated and when.
• Critical Illness: covers patients who are suddenly diagnosed with a severe illness, who are paid a tax-free lump sum of money that can be used according to the patient’s wishes.
• Income Protection: pays up to 65% of the patient’s previous income should they become unable to work due to accident or sickness.
• The Health Trust Fund: is low cost cover, comprehensive access to medical facilities, no excess payments, no automatic premium increases and no age loading.
• Cash Plans: provide cash for the medical expenses. These can include dental, optical or nursing benefits.
• Ex-Pat Insurance: is intended for anyone planning to live or work abroad for an extended period of time.
• Travel Insurance: provides medical coverage for people making short trips or extended stays in another country.

Unfortunately there are certain illnesses and conditions that are excluded from health insurance coverage. These exclusions vary from policy to policy but generally are:

• Any pre-existing condition – diagnosed or not before taking up the policy.
• Alcoholism or drug abuse
• Dental treatment
• GP Services
• HIV or AIDS – Not obtained through a blood transfusion.
• Hazardous Sports – Such as boxing, boxing, caving, climbing, horse-racing, jet skiing, martial arts, mountaineering, off-piste skiing, pot-holing, power-boat racing, under-water diving, yacht racing or any race, trial or timed motor sport.
• Infertility
• Normal Pregnancy
• Sterilisation
• Treatment overseas
• Cosmetic surgery
• Self-Inflicted injuries – Intentional only.

Expatriates living on the Costa Blanca in Spain will not longer get free healthcare, according to international health insurance news. International health experts are advising expatriate Britons to take out private health insurance policies to ensure that they are covered.

Some half a million UK expats on the Costa Brava, the vast majority of whom are under 50, and all other European residents of the Valencia region will now be denied heath care.

The provincial government of the region previously provided free healthcare to all expats, with the aim of encouraging house price investment. However, with house prices falling the concession has been withdrawn,

According to a report from the health ministry of the region, it was said:  It is costing us an extra £ 1bn (£790m) annually to look after a million new residents as well as long-stay tourists and our services are at saturation point. Some come to Spain to have their heart operation or hip replacement here at a better standard and more quickly than in their own country.