Leaving Your Company’s Private Medical Insurance?
Here’s What You Need to Know
Transitioning jobs can be stressful, especially if you are uncertain about your private medical insurance (PMI) coverage. We are here to guide you through the process of leaving your company’s PMI scheme and understanding your options for continuing coverage.
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What Happens to Your Private Medical Insurance After Leaving?
Typically, your company-provided health insurance ends when you leave your job. Any treatment initiated after your departure may not be covered. However, you have the option to continue your coverage on a personal plan, known as a ‘group leaver’ so let’s explore your options.
Here's how:
New Employer Coverage:
If your new job offers PMI, you may be able to transfer coverage. Check with your new employer to see if they match your previous underwriting terms. If not, you need to consider if joining their scheme on a new moratorium (underwriting method) is suitable. Briefly, any symptoms treatment or advice you have had in the 5 years prior, will not be on cover until you have had at least 2 years without treatment or recurring symptoms – including regular medication. If you have had serious treatment during that period, taking out individual cover instead and maintaining pre-existing history may be worth the personal cost.Switch to an Individual Plan:
If your new employer does not offer PMI, you can take out an individual plan through us. This allows you to keep similar coverage, but you will be responsible for the premiums. As with the last situation, the right method of joining comes down to your medical history. You need to speak to a specialist like us, to give you the right advice. You also do not want to limit yourself to only your current provider, as many insurers offer different joining criteria – it really can make all the difference if a claim is successful, so get it right. Transitioning as a group leaver is also one of the most expensive methods of continuing cover.Key PMI Details to Know Before Leaving Your Job
When your part of a company's PMI plan, the employer usually handles the policy details. Before leaving, review the specifics of your coverage, including claims history and benefits. This will help you make informed decisions if you wish to continue or assess the level of coverage you carry, let us give you a second opinion.Will Your Benefits Change?
The answer depends on your new policy. If you switch to a new company’s PMI, your benefits are typically determined by them. With an individual plan through myhealthpal, you have more flexibility to customize your coverage to match your needs. Most policies still include standard inpatient care, but additional services like outpatient or dental treatment might vary.How Much Will Individual Private Medical Insurance Cost?
When switching from a company plan to an individual one, you’ll pay the premiums yourself. Costs depend on your age, location, claims history, and level of coverage. More comprehensive plans cost more, and choosing a lower excess can increase premiums.How to Move to an Individual Plan with myhealthpal
To find the best plan for your needs, it is important to compare options. Our team of independent advisers can help you choose the right plan, whether you want to continue your existing coverage or explore new options. We offer a whole of market assessment; meaning we can consider and quote for every policy combination available.Call us now for a tailor made quote.
Deadlines and Timescales
What you need to be aware of is the amount of time that can pass between leaving a company scheme and starting another. If you are taking out brand new cover (new moratorium) you can set this up whenever you like, just be mindful that if you develop new conditions whilst uninsured, that medical issue enters the moratorium sinbin.
If you are however switching your cover, and continuing your cover for pre-existing conditions, you really do not get long between policies. I would not want to leave it any longer than a couple of weeks between schemes, as the new insurer could reject the continuation, and by then the old insurer could have closed the door on you.
The best thing, like with everything, is to plan ahead and get these things lined up to take over the very next day.
Speak to us about all eventualities and situations, our advice is free of charge.