Helping you find the right private healthcare in the Channel Islands
Wherever you're based, having access to private healthcare is essential in protecting your future health.
In the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey), healthcare is operated independently. It isn't part of the NHS and primary care costs are paid for directly by residents.
In Jersey, residents can access free hospital care after establishing residency, in Guernsey, secondary care is run by the Committee for Health and Social Care.
General & Medical offer a range of health insurance options tailored to residents in the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey.
The range of Islands policies provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to residents of the Channel Islands.
What Is Health Insurance for Channel Islands residents?
Also known as Private Medical Insurance (or PMI), Health Insurance is an insurance policy which can cover residents in the Channel Islands for private medical treatment, should you need it. When you take out a policy, you and the insurer agree that should you fall ill or suffer an injury, the policy will attempt to return you to the same level of health you had when you took it out.
Health Insurance has many benefits, including:
- Private treatment for covered conditions
- Faster access to treatments
- Choice of private hospitals
- Digital GP services
- Rewards and discounts
What Makes Up a Channel Islands Health Insurance Policy?
A Health Insurance policy is usually made up of two key elements:
-
Core Cover which comes as standard in your policy, and typically includes in-patient and day-patient treatment, out-patient cover and health support.
-
Optional Extras which cost more, but enhance your cover.
Policies are very flexible and only need include the things which are important to you. Our experts are on the end of the phone if you would like to chat through your options.
Core Cover
Core cover is the basis of any policy; what's included, before you add any optional extras. This can vary between Islands policies, but will often include the following:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| In-patient Cover |
Cover for when you’re admitted to hospital and stay overnight. Cover includes hospital accommodation charges, specialist fees such as consultants, surgeons and anaesthetists, diagnostic tests and scans such as CT, PET or MRI, plus X-rays or physiological tests. |
| Day-patient Cover | Covers you when you’re admitted to hospital and discharged the same day and includes the same benefits as in-patient cover. |
| Out-patient cover |
Covers you when you visit a hospital and return home the same day without being admitted – in other words, you’re not given a hospital bed. Out-patient cover includes the cost of consultations, diagnostic scans/tests and some minor surgical procedures. Some insurers also include physiotherapy in their out-patient cover. What's included in your out-patient cover depends on which policy you choose. |
| Cancer Cover | Islands policies cover treatment for cancer, including: radiotherapy, chemotherapy, post cancer services and palliative treatment. |
| Digital GPs and health support | All Islands policies include access to a digital GP service and a health and wellbeing service. |
| Dental | Islands policies include: In-patient oro-surgical operations/procedures. Some policies include routine dental treatment and dental injury up to £500. |
Optional Extras
The following optional add-ons can enhance your cover:
Pre-Existing Conditions: You can get cover for up to two pre-existing conditions, chosen at outset from a list of defined conditions. Cover is subject to an annual limit of £1,000 per condition, rolling up to £10,000 after 10 continuous years membership with no related claims
Optical: Optical cover can help pay for the cost of eye tests, glasses or contact lenses (usually provided if there has been a change in prescription). Alternatively, you can opt for a more general level of cover, which will pay for some general optical costs.
Mental Health: This option gives members cover for treatment if they are diagnosed with a mental health condition, up to a maximum limit of 48 days per membership year for in-patient and/or day-case treatment, and up to a maximum limit of £2,000 per membership year for out-patient treatment.
Therapies: This covers the cost of physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic treatment. Some insurers include other holistic therapies.
What Conditions Does Health Insurance Cover?
If you’re fit and healthy, Health Insurance covers most acute medical conditions. Commonly covered conditions include:
- Cancer including palliative care, diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc.
- Heart disease including aftercare cover
- Stroke aftercare
- Mental health issues including counselling and psychiatric care
- Complementary therapies such as physiotherapy and osteopathy
- Alternative therapies including acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, etc.
Optional Extras
In addition to the core cover, health insurance usually offers several optional extras - to enhance the cover to suit you, at additional cost. They usually include the following:
- Extended outpatient cover
- Dental and Optical cover
- Mental health cover
- Travel cover
- Therapies cover (such as physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic)
What Does It Not Cover?
Health Insurance is not intended for covering emergencies or chronic conditions. Chronic conditions are long term illnesses which you won’t recover from, such as asthma or arthritis. Typical things which are not regularly covered by a health insurance policy are:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Treatment for Alcoholism or Substance addiction
- Chronic/long-term conditions
- Cosmetic surgery
- Gender reassignment
- HIV/AIDS
- Pregnancy and childbirth
Channel Islands Health Insurance Insurance Underwriting
When you take out a Health Insurance policy there are various ways the policy can be underwritten. It is important to consider which works best for you.
Full medical underwriting
Full medical underwriting (FMU) requires you to provide your complete medical history – and that of all policyholders – when you take out your policy. The information you provide may mean the insurer excludes certain conditions from cover for the lifetime of the policy.
Moratorium underwriting
Moratorium underwriting doesn’t require you to disclose your medical history. However, for two years of your policy you won’t be covered for anything you’ve had symptoms, treatment, medication, diagnostic tests or advice on in the five years before your policy start date.
If, after a two-year consecutive period, you meet certain criteria (usually this includes remaining symptom, treatment, medication or advice free from that condition), then it will become eligible for cover.
Moratorium underwriting offers the potential for pre-existing conditions to be covered after a two-year period. Usay Compare can set up a moratorium policy over the phone to provide you with immediate cover.
Channel Islands Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
How does the healthcare system work in the Channel Islands?
Healthcare is operated independently in the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey). It isn't part of the NHS and primary care costs are paid for directly by residents. Secondary care is run by the Committee for Health and Social Care in Guernsey. In Jersey, residents can access free hospital care after establishing residency. Ambulance transport to A&E is free in Jersey.
How much does healthcare cost in Guernsey?
In Guernsey, a specialist health insurance scheme is run to cover some secondary care costs for residents, who make income-related contributions. However, primary care is paid out-of-pocket, including: GP appointments - approximately £75, nurse consultations - approximately £50 and A&E visits.
How much does healthcare cost in Jersey?
In Jersey, emergency treatment is free for anyone that needs it. Once you're a resident for at least six months and working, you may be eligible for free non-emergency healthcare. All GPs in Jersey are private, meaning you'd pay for your appointments.
Do I need Health Insurance in the Channel Islands?
Health Insurance is worth considering as a resident in the Channel Islands. Whilst the healthcare system does cover many things, private Health Insurance is an option to avoid high costs.
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