If you need Deep Brain Stimulation, waiting for diagnosis and treatment can be stressful. This guide explains the conditions that commonly lead to it and how private medical insurance can help you get seen and treated sooner.
What conditions lead to Deep Brain Stimulation?
Parkinson's Disease & Essential Tremor
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) involves surgically implanting electrodes in specific brain regions – the subthalamic nucleus for Parkinson's disease, the thalamus for essential tremor – connected to a pulse generator in the chest. Electrical stimulation modulates abnormal neural circuits, dramatically reducing tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia in Parkinson's, and eliminating disabling tremor in essential tremor. It is the most effective neurosurgical treatment for movement disorders.
How private health insurance can help with Deep Brain Stimulation
PMI enables access to specialist movement disorder neurologists and neurosurgeons, rapid assessment, the DBS implantation procedure at a specialist centre, and post-operative programming and follow-up – life-changing intervention without an 18-month wait.
Depending on your policy, cover can include:
- Faster access to a specialist consultant
- Diagnostic scans such as MRI, CT, ultrasound and X-ray
- A choice of consultant and private hospital from your insurer's list
- Surgery, hospital stay and, where included, post-treatment physiotherapy or rehabilitation
Cover, limits and exclusions vary between insurers and plans. Most policies don't cover pre-existing or chronic conditions, and you'll usually need a GP referral before claiming. Always check what your policy covers before starting treatment.
How it works
- Get a quote – tell us about yourself and what you want covered, using the form on this page.
- Compare policies – an adviser compares plans from leading UK insurers and recommends suitable options.
- Get covered – choose your plan and start cover once your insurer confirms it. Claims are then made through your insurer.
Want to know more? Read our guides to individual health insurance and family health insurance.
