If you've searched online for private health insurance that covers peripheral neuropathy then you are probably for looking for established UK based health insurance companies that will cover peripheral neuropathy.
Our advice when looking for health insurance that covers peripheral neuropathy is to speak to a health insurance broker. Health insurance is incredibly complicated and if you want complete certainty that peripheral neuropathy is covered you should consult with a health insurance broker who can explain which providers will cover this medical condition and which will not.
There are many advantages to using a insurance broker but the biggest by far is that you're using their insurance training at no cost. They are paid by the insurer (Aviva or Bupa etc) rather than you so it costs you no extra to use their brokering services.
- Do you live in many different postcodes? Some will give you a cheaper premium than offers. A insurance broker will be able to advise whats best.
- Do you have a hobby that may invalidate your insurance policy? A broker will know this vital information.
- If you are a couple and one of you has claimed on your policy this year would it be cheaper to separate you both onto two different policies?
- You've lean't you're at risk of developing a certain medical condition and want to know which policy provider offers the biggest amount of cover for it. A broker will know this instantly saving you so much time and effort.
You can call around every health insurance provider you can find and ask if they cover peripheral neuropathy, however this will be a very time consuming process. Each insurer will ask for your medical history because its not normally a simple yes or not if a medical condition is covered or not.
Its much quicker to speak to one medical insurance broker which will know which policy providers on the market cover peripheral neuropathy and under what terms they do or don't cover it.
Peripheral Neuropathy Information
Peripheral neuropathy develops when nerves in the body's extremities – such as the hands, feet and arms – are damaged. The symptoms depend on which nerves are affected.
In the UK, it's estimated that almost 1 in 10 people aged 55 or over are affected by some degree of peripheral neuropathy.
The peripheral nervous system is the network of nerves that lie outside the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).
It includes different types of nerves with their own specific functions, including:
The main symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can include:
These symptoms are usually constant, but may come and go.
Read more about symptoms of peripheral neuropathy
It's important to see your GP if you experience the early symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, such as:
It's also recommended that people at highest risk of peripheral neuropathy, such as people with diabetes, have regular check-ups.
Your GP will ask about your symptoms and may arrange some tests to help identify the underlying cause. You may be referred to hospital to see a neurologist (a specialist in conditions affecting the nervous system).
Generally, the sooner peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed, the better the chance of limiting the damage and preventing further complications.
Read more about diagnosing peripheral neuropathy
In the UK, diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy.
Over time, the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage the nerves. This type of nerve damage is known as diabetic polyneuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy can also have a wide range of other causes. For example, it can be caused by: