Freedom Health Insurance launches Freedom Diagnostics for faster access to scans
Freedom Health Insurance has launched Freedom Diagnostics, a new service giving eligible members a more straightforward route to booking and paying for private X-ray and ultrasound scans.
The new service, arranged by Scan.com, sits within Freedom 360, the insurer's wider health and wellbeing toolkit. Freedom Diagnostics is designed to reduce the friction of arranging private diagnostic imaging, from finding a provider to understanding how costs are covered.
How Freedom Diagnostics works
Members can be referred for a scan through Freedom Digital GP, Freedom Physiotherapy, or their own GP. Once referred, the member sends their referral to Freedom's claims team, who check whether the scan is eligible under the policy and, if approved, register the member with Scan.com. The member then receives a booking link to choose a scanning centre and appointment time that suits them.
After the scan, a Scan.com clinician then calls the member to talk through the findings and any next steps, and also provides a copy of the report.
Scan.com's network spans more than 300 scanning centres across the UK. According to figures supplied by Scan.com, 95% of patients are scanned within 30 miles of their location, with a typical wait of around three days between referral and appointment.
Who can use it, and what it covers
Freedom Diagnostics is available to eligible members on Freedom Elite, Freedom Essentials and Freedom Worldwide UK policies that include outpatient cover, but it is not available on Freedom Worldwide Non-EEA policies.
The service covers X-ray and ultrasound scans, and not other types of scans, such as an MRI or CT. The costs are deducted from the outpatient diagnostic testing limit set out in the member's policy documents. Members are not obliged to use Scan.com and can still choose their own provider if they prefer.
Freedom Diagnostics joins a growing list of services available through Freedom 360, which can also include Freedom Digital GP, Freedom Dermatology, Freedom Cancer Care and Freedom Physiotherapy, depending on the policy.
Chris Steele, founder and editor of myTribe Insurance Experts, said:
"Waiting for diagnostic scans can be hugely frustrating for some people when trying to get answers about their health, so a service that aims to get members scanned within days rather than weeks is a welcome addition. Adding a simpler route to private X-ray and ultrasound imaging, backed by proper clinical support, should make this an appealing service for Freedom Health Insurance policyholders.”
Further reading: Freedom Health Insurance review
