| In 1946, Britain had won World War II, but was still | | | | Ambulance charges, out patient complementary |
| struggling to get its economy back on track after the | | | | medicines and a host of other costs are covered by |
| war had nearly destroyed it. It was a time of | | | | this policy which offers the policy holder the choice of |
| shortages and hardship, and the government of the | | | | either national or local hospital network access. |
| day, in an attempt to make health care available to | | | | 2. Health care select 2. |
| everyone began the National Health Service in 1948. | | | | Much like select 1, this offers in patient, out patient, and |
| When the plan was announced a year earlier, the | | | | day patient coverage as well as psychiatric treatment |
| British United Provident Association (Bupa) was | | | | and a choice of either national or local hospital access. |
| formed to provide people an alternative to the NHS | | | | However, complimentary outpatient medicines are not |
| where they could choose where they would be | | | | covered and there are limitations on the coverage |
| treated, when it would happen and by whom it would | | | | available in specific areas. |
| be done. | | | | 3. Health care select 3. |
| Since then, to setting up hospitals, specialized care | | | | The plan offers high levels of coverage for eligible |
| facilities, insurance and much more, BUPA is today one | | | | treatments, both in and out- patient. However, there |
| of the largest companies in the health care sector. | | | | are limitations on the out patient treatments and |
| Among its portfolio of services, health insurance is one | | | | psychiatric treatment is not covered. The local and |
| of the largest operations. It is today, a true multinational | | | | national hospital network choice is available. |
| organization with operations in three continents where | | | | 4. Health care select 4. |
| it provides health and insurance services to over | | | | This plan is basically a scaled down version of select 3 |
| seven million clients. | | | | with further reductions in the eligibility and coverage of |
| Marketed under the brand name Bupa Heartbeat, the | | | | out treatment costs. In and day patient coverage |
| insurance protection available is offered in a range of | | | | remains extensive. |
| options which are designed to suit the widest possible | | | | 5. Health care select heart and cancer. |
| range of market needs. The options range from basic | | | | This is the most basic of the health coverage plans |
| cover to complete medical expense coverage. Of | | | | and provides for the treatment of acute cancer and |
| course, the premiums will vary depending on the nature | | | | heart conditions. No other medical conditions fall under |
| of the coverage taken and the age and health of the | | | | this form of cover. Hospital treatment coverage is only |
| person or persons being covered. | | | | for the national hospital network. |
| The five levels of coverage broadly work as follows: | | | | Obviously the policy costs increase in accordance with |
| 1. Health Care select 1. | | | | the coverage offered by the plans and studying the |
| This is the most comprehensive of all the policies. It | | | | options in detail keeping in mind ones own and one's |
| provides the widest coverage against costs incurred | | | | family medical history will help in the selection of the |
| for in patient, out patient and day patient treatment for | | | | right plan. |
| any form of sickness, including psychiatric treatment. | | | | |