British news

UK Firms consider top ups market

Insurance firms in the UK believe there is a lucrative market opening up to sell policies to NHS patients after the decision to lift the top-ups ban.

Leading firms including Standard Life, AXA PPP and Bupa are looking into the implications of this week's decision. One firm said it could be bigger than the private medical insurance market, while analysts predicted the top-up ruling could mark a "pivotal point". But union Unison said such developments could endanger the values of the NHS. Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced plans on Tuesday that would mean patients would no longer lose their right to NHS care if they decided to pay privately for drugs not available on the health service.

Only one firm, WPA, is currently offering a top-ups policy.

 

Just 13% of adults have private medical insurance and the leading firms said the opportunity to "mix-and-match" private and NHS care will lead to cheaper policies.

William Laing, of Laing and Buisson, the top market analysts for the private health sector, said: "I would expect to see action in this area. It could be that the announcement is a pivotal point."

Source BBC News