CS Healthcare - quality cover for less (logo image)
CS Healthcare - for assistance call 0800 917 4325
Frequently Asked Medical Insurance Questions (FAQs)
What is Private Medical Insurance?
Private Medical Insurance is designed to cover the cost of treatment in the comfort of a private hospital facility should you become ill. It works to support the NHS by giving you additional choices and the confidence of fast access to your chosen hospital or specialist. 
The your choice health plan provides you with the flexibility to choose what cover you require at a time and location that suits you giving you the peace of mind that you and your family will be treated in a private environment especially designed to speed up recovery. 
Am I covered for pre-existing medical conditions?
As with most health insurers, CS Healthcare does not cover you for pre-existing medical conditions or chronic conditions which are unlikely to be cured by treatment. Nor does the policy usually cover conditions which are related to pre-existing conditions. A related condition is one which is caused by, or could be the cause of, another condition. 
What Underwriting methods do you use?
Underwriting is the process by which an insurer decides on what terms it will accept a person for cover based on the information they supply. We offer two types of Underwriting by which you can apply for cover. 
Full Medical Underwriting is based on completing a health questionnaire (also known as a Medical History Declaration). You will be asked a number of questions about your health. These will enable us to understand your medical history (and that of any dependant you wish to insure). With this type of underwriting members will know what conditions are covered under the policy. New medical conditions arising after the commencement date of the policy will be covered subject to the policy terms and conditions. For more information, refer to the 'Assessing your health' page on the website. 
Moratorium - with this option you do not need to fill in a health questionnaire. Instead we automatically exclude any pre-existing conditions for which you (and any dependant included in your application) have received treatment and/or medication, or asked advice on, or had symptoms of (whether or not diagnosed), during the five years immediately before your Private Health Insurance cover started. However, if you do not have any symptoms, treatment, medication, or advice for those pre-existing conditions, and any directly related conditions, for two continuous years after your policy starts, then we will reinstate cover for those conditions. 
Am I able to switch to CS Healthcare?
We are committed to making sure you make the right choice when joining CS Healthcare. That is why we try to make the process as easy and transparent as possible, so even if you are currently insured with another provider, you could still benefit from our flexible approach by switching your cover to us. 
The intention of our switch terms is to allow those with current or recent health insurance to join CS Healthcare, in most cases, with the same method of underwriting as your current or previous health insurer. 
It is important to understand there are certain types of treatment and pre-existing medical conditions which may not qualify you for our switch terms. These include, but are not limited to, stroke, cancer (including benign brain tumors) and joint replacement and spinal conditions and any conditions/symptoms which are being investigated or treated. If you do not qualify for our switch terms, we will offer you Full Medical Underwriting as an alternative. We strongly suggest you do not cancel your existing insurance until we have confirmed any personal exclusions which may apply to your policy. For more information, visit our 'Switch health insurance' page. 
How are the premiums calculated?
The prices of our plans are reviewed at the annual renewal date. Premiums are calculated and charged according to individual ages for Essential, Expert Diagnostics and the Heart & Cancer options reflecting people being more likely to claim as they get older. However, age related premium increases stop once members reach the age of 80. Premiums for Therapy & Care and Cash Benefits are at a flat rate and not affected by age. It is important to remember the premium at annual renewal will also reflect the overall cost of claims expenditure and medical inflation e.g. availability of new treatments and improvements in medical technology. 
Do you apply any No Claims Discounts?
The Society believes that rather than confuse you with complicated No Claims Discounts, we prefer to offer consistently low prices instead. We don’t penalise you individually for making a claim, nor do we want to discourage you from doing so. It means you can avoid steep price hikes at renewal time if you happen to make a claim. 
Am I eligible?
The maximum age for joining CS Healthcare is 74 years and 11 months unless you are switching from a previous insurer, in this case the maximum joining age is 69 years and 11 months.  
If you work, or have worked, in any of the following sectors, you and your family are eligible to join CS Healthcare:  
  • Civil service
  • Public service
  • Privatised organisations (former public sector)
  • Charities
  • Armed forces
  • Not-for-profit organisations
  • Voluntary sectors
If you have a family relative who falls into the following relationship criteria and are age 18 years or over, you can also join:  
  • Spouse/Partner
  • Children and partner's children
  • Brother/Sister
  • Charities
  • Parents
How long am I covered for?
Your membership will start on the first day of the month following receipt and acceptance of your completed Proposal Form. Provided you continue to pay the premiums, and adhere to your member responsibilities (please refer to the Member responsibilities’ section of the Policy Document for further details) your cover can continue until you cancel your policy. Premiums are payable monthly or annually. Each monthly premium buys cover for the calendar month in which it is paid. Each annual premium buys cover for the following 12 calendar months after it is paid. If any premium is not paid on the date it is due, cover will stop on that date if the premium is not received within 90 days. No benefit will be payable during this period for which premiums have not been paid, unless a period of free cover applies. Your policy is renewable on an annual basis at which time you have the opportunity to change your level of cover. We will write to you at least 21 days before your renewal date to notify you of any changes that will apply. 
Can I cancel my policy?
You can cancel your membership within 15 days of receiving your policy documentation when you first join the Society or 15 days of receiving your renewal documentation, and receive a full refund, provided you notify us in writing and no claims have been made. Thereafter, you can cancel your policy at anytime in writing and cover will cease at the end of the period for which premium has been paid. If premiums are paid annually then we will refund premiums on a pro-rata basis for whole months only. 
How do I make a claim?
If you need to make a claim you can telephone our Claims Helpline on Monday to Friday 8pm - 6pm for assistance, write to us or email us. It is important that you contact us before visiting a specialist or arranging treatment to check you have adequate cover on your policy. 
Please refer to the 'How to claim for Health Insurance' and 'Claim terms and conditions' section of the Policy Document for details or visit our 'Making a claim' page. 
Do you cover emergency admissions?
You are not covered for emergency admissions that require life saving treatment, including immediate life saving surgery or critical care. Urgent admissions where a patient is admitted to a general ward may be covered provided you no longer require critical care or special monitoring of vital signs. 
Does my policy cover me for treatment abroad?
We will consider requests for treatment within the European Economic Area (EEA), in line with the E112 scheme or Article 49 of the European Community; if there is a medical need such as an unacceptable waiting period to receive treatment within the United Kingdom (UK) or if there is a particular social need which requires an individual to have planned treatment within the EEA. This will be dependent on your UK based Specialist Consultant having consented to the treatment as being appropriate and that you are fit to travel, then consideration to authorisation can be given.  
The planned treatment will only ever be reimbursed up to the value of treatment of the same complexity and value which would have been incurred at one of the hospitals on your hospital list. 
Are you covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)?
We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, and you may be entitled to compensation from the scheme if we are unable to meet our obligations to you. Most types of insurance business are covered for 100% of the first £2,000 of a valid claim and 90% of the remaining amount of the loss within the terms and conditions of your policy. With effect from 1st January 2010, non-compulsory insurance will be covered for 90% of the claim, with no upper limit. Further information about compensation arrangements are available from: 
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme
7th Floor
Lloyds Chambers
Portsoken Street
London
E1 8BN
Telephone: 020 7892 7300
 
Are you regulated?
Civil Service Healthcare Society Limited, Princess House, Horace Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 2SL is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Our FSA registered number is 205346. 
Our permitted business is to provide private medical insurance contracts. 
The membership agreement is governed by and is subject to the law of England and Wales. 
You can check this on the FSA register by visiting the FSA’s website at www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234. 
Happy? You'll find our members are - Once a member 98% find our service 'excellent' or 'good'.
CSH new member surveys carried out in Jan - Dec 2011
Civil Service Healthcare Society Limited incorporated in England and Wales.
Registered Office: Princess House, Horace Rd, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. KT1 2SL.
FSA reg. no. 205346.