In partnership with
TrustScore 4.7 | 38,886 reviewsWhy buy private health insurance?
There are several reasons why you might consider taking out a private health insurance policy:
Beat the queues
Private health insurance can help you access consultations, scans and surgery more quickly than waiting through standard NHS pathways..
24/7 virtual GP access
Many policies now include unlimited video or phone appointments with UK-based GPs, often available the same day.
Access to advanced treatments
Some private policies include access to treatments, therapies and drugs that might not yet be widely available on the NHS.
Choose when and where you're treated
If you want to be treated at a private hospital or you need specialist treatment, then private healthcare insurance could be an option for you.
What is private health insurance and how does it work?
Private health insurance – also called private medical insurance (PMI) – helps cover the cost of private healthcare for acute conditions.
Acute conditions are illnesses or injuries that:
- Are usually short-term
- Can be treated or cured
- Need medical intervention
Inpatient treatment covers treatment where you're admitted to hospital. Outpatient treatment covers appointments and tests where you don't stay in hospital overnight.
| Inpatient treatment | Outpatient treatment |
|---|---|
| Surgery | Specialist consultations |
| Overnight stays | Scans and diagnostic tests |
| Nursing care | Minor procedures |
| Consultant fees |
Policies can include both types of treatment or offer outpatient cover as an optional extra.
What are the different policy options?
Whether you're buying medical cover yourself or are offered it as a perk at work, there are a number of different options:
- Individual policy – this covers you for treatment if you're ill and injured. It means that you don’t have to join an NHS waiting list but can be seen quickly. You can choose where you want to be treated.
- Joint policy – this covers you and your partner or spouse for healthcare treatment when you need it. A joint policy might be cheaper than two individual policies.
- Family policy – you can add the names of your children or dependants to make sure that they’re covered for any health issues that may arise.
- International health insurance – this covers you and anyone named on the policy if you need medical treatment abroad. It provides emergency, inpatient and outpatient cover if you're living or working abroad. It can be especially useful if you're in countries where medical care is very expensive – like the United States – or where public medical services are very basic.
- Company health insurance – this is sometimes offered to employees and their families. It's usually an optional perk provided by your workplace. Your employer may offer this benefit to you as a free perk or heavily discounted.
"In 2026, health insurance is no longer just about hospital stays. The real value for most people is the 24/7 digital GP access and early diagnostics, which catch problems before they become serious.
"But if you're on a budget, look for 'treatment-only' policies. These cover the big costs like surgery and hospital beds, while you still use the NHS for the initial diagnosis and GP referrals."
How much does health insurance cost?
The price of private health insurance depends on several factors. For example, premiums are often higher in London compared to elsewhere in the country. This is due to higher treatment costs and hospital pricing.
Private healthcare costs tend to rise over time - often called ‘medical inflation’. This tends to lead to premiums increasing each year.
Other factors that can affect your premiums include:
- Your age
- Where you live
- Your medical history
- Whether you smoke
- The level of cover you choose
What are the different types of health insurance underwriting?
There are 2 main types of underwriting when it comes to private medical insurance:
Moratorium underwriting
With moratorium underwriting:
- You don’t complete detailed medical forms
- Pre-existing conditions are automatically excluded initially
Some conditions might become covered later if you remain symptom-free and require no treatments for a set period. This will be outlined in your policy T&Cs.
Full medical underwriting
This involves completing a health questionnaire when you apply.
The insurer then decides:
- Which conditions are covered
- Which are excluded
This provides more clarity upfront about what your policy includes and – just as importantly – what it doesn’t.
How to get cheaper private medical insurance
There are a few things to consider when buying health insurance that can help bring policy prices down:
- Increase your excess
Choosing a higher excess, for example £250 or £500, means you pay more towards treatment costs before your insurer pays out. Increasing your excess can reduce the overall cost of your premium. Just remember that you pay this amount towards any claims you make, so make sure it's an amount you can afford.
- Pay annually instead of monthly
Paying annually generally works out cheaper overall, as monthly instalments tend to include interest and sometimes admin fees. So while paying monthly helps to spread the cost, paying for your annual premium in one go could work out cheaper in the long run. Always compare before you commit to be sure.
- Compare different policy types
Policies with moratorium underwriting offer more limited healthcare cover. This means they're generally cheaper than more comprehensive policies with full medical underwriting. Depending on your needs, it might be more worthwhile taking out a policy with moratorium underwriting.
Can I get cover for pre-existing conditions?
Pre-existing conditions can be one of the biggest limitations of private health insurance. Many insurers won’t cover conditions you already had before taking out the policy.
But it’s important to remember this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get cover.
What are the best health insurance companies in the UK?
We can’t really tell you who the best health insurance companies are, as different providers are known for different strengths. The best insurer for you will depend on your budget, medical needs and the type of cover you want.
Here are some of the main health insurance players in the UK:
Bupa
Bupa are often recognised for strong mental health support and ‘direct access’ services that might allow treatment without a GP referral in some cases.
AXA Health
AXA Health are known for flexible outpatient cover and modular (in other words, ‘build your own’) policy options.
Vitality
Vitality are popular with customers who want lifestyle rewards linked to healthy habits and activity tracking.
Aviva
Aviva offers strong digital features and comprehensive cancer support options.
What does private health insurance cover?
Most private health insurance policies are built around core cover plus optional extras. Of course, policies will vary from provider to provider, so always check the small print thoroughly before you commit.
But generally speaking, you can expect the following to be covered:
Core cover
Inpatient and day-patient treatment
This forms the ‘bedrock’ of most policies. It includes:
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- Nursing care
- Consultant fees
Cancer cover
Many policies include cancer treatment as standard, covering things like:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Diagnostics
- Some advanced drugs and therapies
Virtual GP services
As mentioned, many insurers now include 24/7 digital GP appointments through apps or phone services.
Hospital access
Policies usually provide access to a network of private hospitals, such as:
Outpatient cover
Adding outpatient cover can help speed up the earlier stages of diagnosis and treatment.
This can include:
- MRI and CT scans
- Blood tests and X-rays
- Specialist consultations
Minor outpatient procedures
Optional add-ons
For an additional fee, you may be able to add the following to your PMI policy:
Mental health cover
Some policies include:
- Talking therapies
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Psychiatric treatment
Therapies
Cover might also be available for:
- Physiotherapy
- Osteopathy
- Chiropractic treatment
- Acupuncture
Dental and optical
These are often cashback-style extras helping with costs like:
- Dental check-ups
- Fillings
- Glasses
- Contact lenses
Extended hospital lists
Some insurers allow access to premium central London hospitals for an additional cost.
What isn’t covered?
It’s important to understand what private health insurance usually excludes.
- Chronic conditions
Long-term conditions requiring ongoing management are generally not covered, including diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and high blood pressure.
- Pre-existing conditions
Most policies tend to exclude medical issues you’ve already had symptoms, advice or treatment for.
- Cosmetic surgery
Procedures carried out purely for aesthetic reasons aren’t usually included.
- Emergency care and A&E
Private hospitals don’t provide emergency departments. For serious emergencies, you should still go through the NHS.
- Pregnancy and childbirth
Routine maternity care is usually excluded, although some complications might be covered.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of private health insurance over the NHS?
The benefits you’ll receive from your private health insurance plan will depend on your level of cover. But in general, you’ll be able to:
- Skip NHS waiting lists and receive treatment as and when it’s convenient for you
- Receive fast-track consultations and treatment for short-term medical problems
- Receive private treatment in an NHS or private hospital
- Choose your hospital
- Have access to treatments not covered by the NHS
Generally, people choose private health care over the NHS because they’ll be able to get appointments faster and more conveniently to their schedules.
Getting time to see a specialist after being referred by the GP might also be quicker.
- Most private hospitals give patients a private en-suite room with TV, a selection of food and up-to-date technology.
How does private health insurance work?
Like most other forms of insurance, you get to select the level of cover you need. You can compare health insurance quotes, whether that’s comprehensive cover, or a selection of a few areas.
Depending on your budget, you might wish to add in extras such as blood tests and x-rays, pick which hospitals you’d like access to, and how much excess you wish to pay.
The more comprehensive your cover, the more expensive your premiums are likely to be. So it's important to identify how important each area of cover is to you and whether you would prefer NHS treatment in that case.
Health insurance can also provide cover for cancer treatment, including drugs and therapies that may not be approved for use by the NHS.
In a medical emergency you would still go to A&E. But if you have a health insurance policy, you can be moved to a private hospital if you require further treatment or recovery.
Will my policy cover me outside the UK?
Some standard policies include limited overseas cover for emergencies, although this varies between insurers. Travel insurance is still usually needed for trips abroad.
What to check before taking out health insurance
Before you compare medical insurance suppliers, it’s important to check the following details:
- The level of excess on the policy
- Which hospitals you’re able to be treated in
- The types of patient fees covered
- The kinds of additional benefits that might be included
- Whether any particular illnesses and treatments are not covered
- Any exclusions or limitations to the policy
Do I need a GP referral before receiving private healthcare?
Often, yes. Many insurers require a GP referral before approving specialist treatment, although some providers offer direct access pathways for certain conditions.
Compare private medical insurance
Find quotes in minutes.
