State pensioners are being warned about a potential bill of £3,324 and how to avoid it. Pensioners are urged to take action to avoid surprise costs. The state pension age is currently 66, so it's worth thinking about the potential for a large medical bill as you start to collect your state pension or think about your retirement finances. Research from private health insurance provider Howden Life & Health found that the costs can be much more if you don't have insurance in place and have to pay for medical treatment. Analysis from the group found that for over 65s the average cost to get treatment in this way is £3,324. You can also go for a diagnostics-only package with prices starting from £65 a month for individuals and £110 a month for couples. Grace Dowling, head of marketing at Howden, said: "Planning ahead is crucial because private healthcare is significantly easier, cheaper and far less stressful to access when you already have cover in place." Large sums upfront. She warned that if you don't have cover, you can often have to pay "large sums upfront" for scans, consultations or surgery, and you often won't know the full cost until you get your bill. It's also worth taking out a policy sooner rather than later. Ms Dowling said: "Private medical insurance also works best when taken out earlier, before health issues arise. Once symptoms or conditions are present, insurers may exclude them, meaning people who delay can find themselves unprotected precisely when they need help most." The group's research found that people spend nearly £6,000 on average to self-fund private care, with one in seven having to pay bill of more than £15,000. Howden research suggests the most common reasons for claims among over-65s are: Optical treatments, Physiotherapy, Diagnostic tests and scans, Musculoskeletal conditions, Gastrointestinal issues. Ms Dowling said: "These are also areas where NHS waiting lists are often longest. As a result, many over-65s initially turn to the NHS, but prolonged delays - more than one in five patients currently waiting longer than the NHS six-week target - force them to go private to avoid months - or even years - of pain, reduced mobility or uncertainty. Private medical insurance enables faster diagnosis and earlier intervention, which can make a significant difference to outcomes and independence later in life." For the latest money saving tips, shopping and consumer news, go to the new Everything Money website.
