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Exclusive Offer* for Private Medical Cover

An exclusive offer to provide private medical plans for members of Childminding UK has been arranged with HMCA, including a £50 gift card or £100 off your first-year subscription upon joining a private medical plan.

For further information and quotations contact HMCA by telephone on 01423 799949 or visit the exclusive HMCA Childminding UK website here

*Exclusive offer available to members of Childminding UK and other selected membership groups.

Private medical cover – your questions answered

HMCA Members has been arranging private medical cover exclusively to membership organisations for more than 45 years. Jane Blackmore, HMCA Member's Association Secretary, answers the most frequently asked questions about private medical insurance.

1. What is private medical insurance? Private medical insurance provides benefits for the treatment of acute conditions following a visit to your GP, where the NHS is unable to provide you with the treatment you need at a time, or location, which is convenient for you. It enables you to be quickly seen by a consultant and, if necessary, admitted to a hospital of your choice, thus avoiding long NHS waiting times.

2. Why take out private medical insurance? The short answer is peace of mind. Waiting weeks or months for NHS tests or treatment can cause anxiety on top of the pain and discomfort of the physical symptoms you may be experiencing. Having private medical insurance avoids this. You receive healthcare as soon as you need it, ensuring the quickest possible return to good health.

3. What does it cover? Generally, private medical insurance covers short-term, curable illnesses that may require a stay in hospital. This can include referral to a specialist and any diagnostic tests that you may need, overnight stays in hospital if you require minor or major surgery, theatre fees, medication and nursing care while you are in hospital. Some outpatient treatments such as physiotherapy may also covered.

4. What is not covered? Visits to a GP or emergency hospital admissions are usually not included in a private medical plan. To keep costs competitive, private medical insurance can exclude treatment for long-term or persistent illnesses. Pre-existing health conditions, maternity care and non-essential cosmetic procedures are not usually covered.

5. Where will I be treated? Patients can choose to be treated in an NHS or private hospital.

If you already have private medical cover and are thinking about transferring, or if you are considering taking out cover for the first time, here are some of the benefits of HMCA Members medical plans.

• The peace of mind that comes from knowing that if you fall ill, you will quickly receive treatment at a time convenient to you and at a hospital of your choice.
• Private health cover arranged by HMCA Members is only offered through membership organisations, enabling HMCA Members to offer medical plans at very competitive rates.
• HMCA Members medical plans have no age limit and you do not have to undergo a medical examination when you join.
• The option to continue cover when you travel abroad on holiday or for business.
• Excellent customer service and your call always answered directly by a member of our team.

If you transfer your existing cover, any future claims made for acute conditions originating at the time you were participating in your previous plan, will be honoured and there will be no break in protection.

If you want to know more, HMCA Members knowledgeable team will answer all your questions about private health cover. They can advise on HMCA Members range of medical plans which have been designed to suit different needs and budgets. This ensures the plan you choose will meet your healthcare needs at a price you can afford. Simply call 01423 799949 where your call will be answered directly by a member of the HMCA Members team or visit here

© HMCA/S PLC (trading as Hospital and Medical Care Association, HMCA and HMCA Members) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN:307587). HMCA/s PLC is a company registered in England, company number: 01362094, registered office: Beech Hall, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 0EA.