Chronic vs. Acute medical conditions
Chronic conditions can be contrasted with acute conditions, which are usually of short duration and for which treatment aims to result in a full recovery.
Examples of chronic conditions include diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and some forms of asthma.
Chronic conditions and health insurance in the UK
Private health insurance in the UK usually focuses on providing cover for the treatment of acute conditions, meaning that chronic conditions often aren't covered in the same way. However, many policies will provide coverage for the initial diagnosis and treatment of a condition until it is deemed to be chronic. Once it becomes chronic, the ongoing treatment might shift to the NHS (National Health Service) or out-of-pocket payments, depending on the policy's specifics and any exclusions it might have.
It's important to note that this is a general definition; the specifics can vary among insurance providers. If in doubt, please consult your insurer's policy documentation or contact us, and we will introduce you to a highly-rated broker.
As the founder and editor of myTribe Insurance, the role of Chris Steele is to ensure that the information we provide is of the highest quality and value to those who read it.
