AXA PPP healthcare has introduced First Healthcare, a private medical insurance plan exclusively for children. AXA said that First Healthcare has been designed to offer reassurance to parents at a price of GBP9.99 a month.

The plan covers early access to consultations with an experienced specialist as well as out-patient tests and scans to establish diagnosis. And, if hospital treatment is required as an in-patient or a day-patient, First Healthcare pays for private treatment straight away provided the National Health Service (NHS) cannot see the child within six weeks of when treatment should take place. This arrangement, which allows the NHS to take care of urgently needed treatment while avoiding delays, helps keep premiums low, said the company.

Additional features include the cost of parent accommodation when they need to stay with a child under 11 in hospital overnight and telephone access to a qualified and experienced team of healthcare professionals 24 hours a day all year round.

Geoff Salter, head of product management at AXA PPP healthcare, said: First Healthcare is for people who may not be able to afford private healthcare cover for their whole family but who want to make sure their children are covered. It will give parents peace of mind knowing that their children can be seen promptly as a private patient.