Hi,, Is top-up insurance really necessary?. I have been told / heard if you have an accident and go to hospital by ambulance its all paid for. If you have cancer its paid for or is this not true.? It doesn;t really cover dentist or opticians either.

Thanks for any replies

It isn't necessary until you need it and then if you don't have it it is too late.

We don't have it and maybe the savings will pay for the time when we might have wanted it, or not.

I am retired, do I need to pay top up for hospital cover. I have been told the UK goverment will pay for it, not sure this is true.

I have cover which I have used but do not wish to continue pay it if the UK will pay.

Not had it for the three years we have been here then started with pain under my ribs to the point i knew something was wrong. Got my topup sorted and its a good job too as after scans and a visit with the surgeon which all cost i have gallbladder disease and surgery a week tomorrow. like the other post says if you dont have it when you need it its to late. if i didnt have it i would be looking at a couple of grand and if all doesnt go to plan even more.

As I understand it, the state only pays about 70% of most health bills. (assuming you are covered by the state scheme). Also, the reimbursements are based on the state's opinion of what the service should cost, so if the service provider charges 3 times this, you may only get reimbursed 70% of a third of the cost. For example, the state reckons a dental crown should cost 74 Euros. The dentist charges you 350. The state reimburses 70% of 74 Euros, so you end up paying around 300 Euros. Or if you can't afford it, you lose the tooth.Many top specialists and surgeons charge 4 times the state rates, so you may end up waiting ages, or having to accept poorer care if you don't have money or insurance.Having said that, many long term life changing illnesses are covered 100%, and car insurance covers care after road accidents.
As has been said, and like all insurance, on average you gain by not having insurance. On average. If you are unlucky, you might really suffer through not having it. Or you might pay it all your life and never suffer a days ill health. Companies set premiums so that average claims are less than average premiums, the difference is their profit, and tax.
So, do you feel lucky? Well, do you?

hi

i had an accident that shattered my leg and a fracture to the skull spent time in hospital then months of daily nurse, physio,hospital outpatient visits, equipment, medicines and dressings uk paid two thirds of the cost but my insurance paid the rest if i had had to pay it would have cost me about 14000e my insurance costs about 700e a year i assumed that as i had claimed the insurers would put the premium up the next year but the insurance man was horrified i had suggested it, said that that was what insurance was for and the premium would only ever increase because of age have also had small claims over the years for minor illnesses, dental treatment (free for basics-major work costs something but much cheaper than uk) so really is worth every euro

Fruitstall, I agree, that says it all.