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