Private Health Insurance – The Herceptin Debate

Private health insurance is one way of ensuring you get the drugs your consultant recommends. The Herceptin debate that raged in the media a few years ago illustrates the difficulties some patients face on the NHS. Many women were refused the drug used to treat breast cancer because it had yet to be regulated by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) which advises on the cost-effectiveness of drugs for the NHS.

Private Health Insurance: Only the Best

Private health insurance is one way of side-stepping the costing debate, which many patients felt was a 'postcode lottery' after some women were given the drug in some areas of the UK, while others were denied it. The drug had been licenses for women with advanced stage breast cancer but those with early stage breast cancer were struggling to get it. But many medical experts said Herceptin was very valuable for women with early stage breast cancer.

Private Health Insurance: Putting your Welfare First

Cancer treatment on the NHS is good, but if a patient chooses to use a drug refused to them by the NHS, NHS policy is that the patient must then go on to pay for all NHS treatments. Private health insurance is one way of safeguarding against such financial misery. When you're battling cancer the last thing you want is another battle on your hands if you feel you're not accessing the best treatments available – despite the cost.

NHS Drugs a Postcode Lottery

Many patients ended up going through painful legal challenges against the NHS. One woman Ann Marie Rogers asked a High Court judge to overturn the NHS decision not to give her the drug, but lost her legal challenge, despite the fact other women in her same situation had been given the drug. It's no wonder more people are considering investing in private health insurance in light of such high profile media stories. Cancer campaigners said there were inequalities in accessing Herceptin that turned cancer treatment into a postcode lottery. For those who want to sidestep such misery, private health insurance is an appealing alternative.

Looking for Private Health Insurance? Speak to Right to Health

Right to Health is a leading UK health insurance intermediary, helping individuals and corporations find the best private health insurance cover. With access to the UK’s top health insurance companies, Right to Health has advised thousands of clients and can help you to get great health coverage for a competitive premium. Right to Health is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, which means that you can be confident that the recommendations you are given really are in your best interests. To find out more or to get a review of your current health insurance, call 08000 753 999 or click the Free Online Quote button at the top of the page.

<<back to Health Insurance Articles