There are two types of long term disability insurance. There are those policies that are considered “group” policies. These are usually bought through the workplace or through participation in certain organizations. The other type is “private”. Private long term disability insurance is purchased by the individual and is usually more expensive than policies purchased through group policies.

There are also those group policies that allow participants to add more coverage to an individual policy as long as the person is willing to make the added payment himself. For those who have group coverage this can be a good way to get added protection at discounted prices.

In the area of private long term disability insurance the first thing to understand is that this type of insurance can be expensive. It is almost certainly going to be more expensive than life insurance. However, this type of protection is actually more valuable than life insurance in many ways. Its main value is that it allows you to maintain a close semblance of your lifestyle should you be forced out of work due to illness or injury.

There are some advantages to having private long term disability insurance as well.

The benefits that you receive if you become disabled will be tax-free, as long as you paid the insurance premiums with after-tax money. Another benefit to having private coverage is that the coverage is not bound to your job. In other words, if you change jobs your coverage does not end as would be the case with most group coverage policies.

If your occupation allows for exceptionally high earnings you may need to purchase a special type of private long term disability insurance that will lock in that level of earning should you become disabled. Most group policies use what is known as the “any-occupation” scheme which allows for the less expensive premiums, but also provides a lower amount of benefits. High earners need to take this into consideration when thinking of long term disability insurance.

There are some important things to look for in private disability insurance: You want a policy that is “non-cancellable”. This guarantees that premiums will not be changed as long as you pay them on time and in full. You also want to look for a policy that is to age 65.

You want to avoid policies that are termed as “accident only”. These polices will not pay if you become disabled through illness rather than injury, and some of the accident conditions can be hard to meet.

There are a number of riders that can be bought with most private long term disability insurance and you should go through those carefully as some of them can be very important. Most riders will cost a bit more to implement into the policy but they can be worthwhile should you ever need to use them.

In addition, due to demand, NHS patients must have their treatment when an appointment becomes available, whether it’s convenient or not. With private health cover, you’ll have the flexibility to choose a treatment time which fits in with your life.

Flexible private health insurance doesn’t replace the NHS but it complements it, meaning that if there is a long waiting list for your particular procedure, you may well get it faster privately.

Private health insurance will offer:

Fast access to medical services, including those unavailable on the NHS
Private hospital facilities
Quick treatment for conditions covered by the policy

There are some conditions that won’t be covered by private health insurance. These include:

Pre-existing conditions:

When you are getting medical insurance quotes, check with providers how they define pre-existing conditions as it does vary. Some won’t cover any illness or condition, including related conditions, which you’ve been treated for before. Others will have a moratorium policy, where you must have not been treated for an illness or condition for a specified period such as five years.

Chronic conditions

Most private medical insurance policies don’t include chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes, hypertension and similar conditions that need ongoing care on a long-term basis. The majority also don’t cover what are known as “catastrophic” illnesses such as cancer and HIV.  However, some policies do provide a contribution, for example, to the financial cost of private cancer care following a medical procedure.

In many cases the benefit will be enough to cover the cost of a course of private chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, the benefit provided is unlikely to cover the cost of the latest, most expensive cancer therapies.

Cosmetic surgery

Most policies exclude cosmetic surgery procedures such as breast enlargement, organ transplants and sex changes.

Experimental treatments and drugs

Most policies will exclude treatments or drugs that are still considered experimental.

It is essential that you fully understand what any health insurance policy does and doesn’t cover before you sign up to it. Take professional advice if necessary.

Private disability insurance claims results. Plus, there’s a long list of possible medical expenses. For example: Doctor/Chiropractor, Prescription Drug Bills, Ambulance, Emergency Room Care, Hospital or Clinic, Specialist and/or Dentist, Laboratory Fees and Services, Diagnostic Tests, X-Rays and (CT) Scan, Prosthetic Appliances or Surgical Apparatus (Canes & Crutches), Physical Therapy, Registered and/or Practical Nurse Fees, Gauze and Tape, Ace Bandages all of which the insurance company must pay whether they like it or not!

Also, Creams, Lotions, Ointments, Balms and Salves, etc. (Should the lady in your life apply any of these to your aching body I’m sorry to tell you this but her labor is not an expense you can claim).

YOU MUST BE COMPENSATED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE: It’s true that a very small percentage of motor vehicle accidents cause big, serious injuries but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be paid big, serious bucks!

WHAT TO DO ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL BILLS IF YOU MAKE THE MISTAKE OF OBTAINING LEGAL HELP FROM ATTORNEY I. M. SHARP: Should yours be a case in which there’s no question that you’re not at fault, make it clear to the Legal Beagle you’ve hired, I. M. Sharp, Esquire, that you expect his Contingency Fee will not apply to that which he recovers for the damage to your car, your medical bills, and/or your payment for lost wages. You tell him these are damages you would have collected ANYWAY – - whether he was handling the case for you or if you settled it yourself. Don’t you dare be foolish enough to hand him a huge percentage of that which you were going to be paid by the insurance company, whether Attorney Sharp handled the case or not. To do so is the height of financial stupidity!