Most consultants are concerned, quite rightly, with how and why a patient has chosen to see them. Before asking the question why and how does a patient choose you as a consultant an early question is asked. Why have the patients taken out private medical insurance originally?
Why go private?
There are three major reasons.
Empirical research on the patients of MHM clients indicates whilst most private healthcare originates via a patient’s employer, even if the insurance is paid for privately, the number one reason for holding private healthcare cover is to avoid and cut short NHS waiting lists. This is the primary reason patients have private medical insurance cover.
But whilst private health cover gives a prompt access to treatment, the second reason for having private healthcare insurance is that it offers the additional benefit of when and where the patient may be treated. Aligned to this is the ability to recover, if surgery is necessary, in a private suite, which is more convenient to both the patient and his/her family.
Thirdly, and finally, private insurance offers a choice of a consultant to the patient.
Before considering why a patient should choose to see you as a consultant, it is equally useful to consider why the patient has private medical insurance in the first place.
The major reasons patients choose to take out or receive private medical insurance are, in the main, three:
- Avoiding NHS waiting lists
- To choose a time and location best suited to them for surgery
- The option of seeing a consultant of their choice