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The offer of medical networks is very wide. Available medical subscriptions differ from each other in the availability of services, and thus in the scope of services offered. Each of the packages differs from the others in the amount of specialist consultations or tests. The choice is not easy. So it’s worth knowing what to look for in order to make the best and informed decision for us.
Private health packages guarantee easy access to private medical care. It is an excellent alternative to public health care, which unfortunately does not meet the expectations of most patients. How to choose the best one from the wide range of medical networks?
Number of specialist doctors
This is one of the most important aspects of a medical subscription. It is worth remembering that the length of the list of specialists who are guaranteed in the package should be the main selection criterion. The longer it is, the wider the scope of medical care. If we choose the basic package, the scope of medical care will be limited. Therefore, people with children should pay special attention to whether the package of their choice includes pediatric, allergological or ENT consultations.
Therefore, before signing the contract, you should ask for the exact list of doctors. It is important that appointments can be made without a referral, because in some medical networks, specific appointments can only be made on the basis of a referral from a family doctor or internist.
Check: Medical plans for the whole family
Fast service
In addition to the long list of doctors, it is also worth paying attention to the duration of services. Unfortunately, despite the insurance, it happens that you have to wait even several weeks for an appointment to the doctor of your choice, which makes the subscription no longer worthwhile. It should be remembered that the main assumption of medical subscriptions is free and quick access to medical care.
Therefore, before we sign the contract, let’s check the duration of the reported service is guaranteed by the contract. Usually it is 1-3 days. In the case of selected specializations, the insurer may stipulate that the waiting time will be extended to several days or a week. Some medical packages contain a provision in the contract regarding the reimbursement of the cost of a private visit arranged by the patient himself, if it is not possible within the period specified in the contract.
Diagnostics
Diagnostics is a very important element of medical care. Therefore, it is not worth ignoring it. Our contract should contain provisions regarding the type of diagnostic tests and the rules for their availability.
Typically, however, medical networks require referrals for examinations from the doctor who provides services within the network. It happens, however, that some facilities also consider referrals from doctors receiving public or private care.
Be sure to read: Medical subscriptions for seniors
Number of outlets
The number of outlets is an important factor that should influence our decision. The distance of the outlets from our place of residence is also important. The number of establishments is important, especially when we travel a lot and often change our place of residence.
The more clinics and doctors provide services as part of the package we choose, the greater the comfort of these services.
Remember that even if we choose an extensive package and we will not be able to use it, such care loses its sense. It is also worth paying attention to the possibility of making home visits.
It is also good to check in how many and in which facilities we can use the cashless services. Usually, most visits are free of charge and only in some cases the insurer will reimburse the costs incurred.
Check: Medical subscriptions – how much does it cost and when does it pay off?
Price and availability of services
The offer of services provided by individual medical networks differs not only in the scope of services, but also in price. The price of the monthly subscription depends on the number of services included in the package and the facilities where they can be used under the policy. In addition, the age of the patient is often also taken into account.
To choose the best medical subscription, it is worth carefully checking the offers available on the market. Remember that choosing the right one takes time.
As part of the basic packages, we usually only gain access to basic medical care, i.e. an internist and basic diagnostic tests. As part of the most extensive packages, you can also take advantage of, for example, surgery or rehabilitation.
Package prices start from a dozen or so zlotys a month. Today, private medical care is standard in many large workplaces. Often, these products are also attached to banking products or telecommunications networks.
Check: How do medical subscriptions work and what do they include?
Adaptation to our needs
The medical subscription can be purchased individually or for the whole family. Then, all family members are covered by care within one monthly contribution. The term family is usually specified in detail in the contract.
The scope of services provided should therefore meet the expectations of all family members. Moreover, let us remember that if we are elderly people, our needs are also different. The age of the patient at the time of concluding the contract should not exceed 70 years.
Limitations in the operation of the contract – grace period
The contract also includes various restrictions related to the use and provision of services. One of them is the grace period, i.e. the time that is to elapse from the conclusion of the contract to, for example, surgery, hospitalization or pregnancy.
If the contract does not contain any provisions regarding the grace period, it should be borne in mind that the formalities related to the conclusion of the contract must be completed before the end of the month. Thanks to this, we will be able to use private medical care from the next month.
In the packages, we often find various restrictions related to the patient’s age. Most medical networks allow people aged 65-70 to take out insurance. The contract will therefore remain in force if it is concluded before that age.
Choosing a health subscription is very important and it is worth approaching it consciously. By taking the right amount of time to select it, we can save a lot of time and money later.
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