What is the difference between in-patient and out-patient healthcare? Understanding the differences will help you get the right private health plan.
The cheapest private health plans will typically offer out-patient cover only.
However, the cheapest plan on the surface could end up costing you more in the long run in out of pocket medical expenses.
If you move overseas, your employer will typically offer a level of private health cover, but this might cover out-patient costs only. Therefore, you might not have an adequate level of cover for yourself and your family.
Understanding the differences between in-patient and out-patient healthcare will help you get the right private health plan.
If you go into hospital for an overnight stay, you're an in-patient. Your stay might last one night, or you might be in hospital for several weeks. The length of your hospital stay will depend on the treatment you need and the extent to which your doctors wish to observe your recovery.
Sometimes, you might be admitted to hospital during the day. In these instances, although you are an in-patient, some hospitals will differentiate between an overnight admission by calling you a day-patient.
Private health plans will often treat in-patient and day-patient care as the same but be sure to check the details of your plan.
In contrast, if a consultation or treatment doesn't require hospital admission, you're an out-patient.
Typically, appointments where you attend a hospital or clinic for check-ups or aftercare following treatment would fall under out-patient care. In some locations, you won't attend hospital to undergo out-patient care, but a specialist clinic or general practitioner. However, many hospitals in countries around the world also offer comprehensive out-patient care and have specific out-patient departments for this purpose.
You might also be classed as an out-patient if you attend hospital for emergency treatment but leave on the same day without being formally admitted.
It is also possible that you might need to stay in hospital overnight to undergo observation. When looking for a private health plan, it’s worth checking how admission for observation is treated from an out-patient or in-patient perspective, as it can be a grey area.
Other than the cost, which we'll explore shortly, whether you're an in-patient or an out-patient shouldn't make much difference from your perspective. Sometimes, you might have the choice of receiving out-patient treatment rather than being admitted to hospital. When given a choice, people usually choose out-patient treatment as it means they don’t have to spend a night away from home and their families.
On other occasions, whether you will be an in-patient or an out-patient may depend on the specific treatment you need, as well as how your doctor wishes to treat you.
If you add dental care to your health plan, you will usually receive dental treatment as an out-patient. You'd also typically visit a dental surgery rather than a hospital, unless, for example, you were in hospital because of an injury. However, in some countries, you may attend hospital for specific dental procedures, like orthodontic work or x-rays.
Maternity care will be a mix of both in-patient and out-patient care.
Out-patient care is cheaper as costs typically only need to cover the doctor and any tests you need to undergo. When you're admitted to hospital as an in-patient, factors like the use of facilities and any equipment necessary to monitor your health come into play on top of what out-patient care would cost.
If you’re an in-patient, your medical costs will continue to grow for each additional night you need to spend in hospital; private hospitals typically have a per day or per stay charge. However, your out of pocket costs will depend on your deductible.
Remember:
The availability of beds and the type of hospital you are treated in may also influence costs.
For example, the World Health Organization’s most recent data for Europe suggests there are just under 400,000 private hospital beds for in-patients across the continent. Yet, availability differs from country to country, while both for-profit and not-for-profit private hospitals are included in the data.
Adding in-patient cover to your private health plan will increase your premium. Still, it could protect you against vast out of pocket costs in the event you need in-patient care.
You should also check how your deductible applies to different types of care.
For example, with a Now Health International plan, your deductible will typically apply only to in-patient treatment or dental and maternity care. Instead, you may have an out-patient per visit excess payable for out-patient treatment depending on the options you choose when you take out your plan.
Take the time to choose the right private health plan for yourself and your family. Not only will this help you relocate with peace of mind, but it will also ensure you can get the treatment you need when you need it and be covered for your medical expenses.
While an out-patient only plan may be more affordable, you should consider adding in-patient care to your plan, too.