Health insurance no cover for swine flu
Yesterday the government admitted there could be 100,000 new cases of swine flu every day in August.
The expected heavy spread of the virus will see a switch in how it is treated by doctors - with health secretary Andy Burnham today outlining a shift from a strategy of containment to one of "treatment".
Doctors will now be told to diagnose swine flu in patients instead of waiting for official laboratory results.
Patients diagnosed with the H1N1 virus will also be instructed to stay at home while arrangements are made to get anti-viral medication to them.
There are currently 7,447 confirmed cases of the virus in the UK, with established hot-spots in London, Scotland and the West Midlands.
Brits with health insurance looking to receive treatment from their provider may well be disappointed.
A representative from Bupa said: "We don't cover emergencies. Treatment would be down to the NHS."
However, she added members would be able to speak to an advisor on the phone if they were worried and the Bupa website offers advice.
While general health insurance will not cover you for the costs of medical treatment due to swine flu, other types of insurance may be able to help.
Life insurance will pay out if the worst really does happen, but income protection plans will probably not, given anyone not working because of the illness should be eventually able to go back to work.
People who are self-employed seem most at risk - with their businesses dependent on them being able to work.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) advises businesses to prepare for the effects of a major outbreak so staff can work from home if needs be.
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