How does private health insurance work in the UK?
Private health insurance enables access to high-quality medical care with no delay, making it a very popular choice for people from all walks of life. The market is more competitive than ever nowadays, so it’s relatively easy to find the best health insurance policy within most budgets.
In the UK, there are several excellent health insurance providers. You’re probably familiar with major names like Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, and Vitality Health. However, there are also some lesser-known providers worth considering, such as WPA and The Exeter. It’s important to find the right one that can offer you, unique benefits, or more tailored coverage options to suit your needs.
To make sure you know what you’re paying for before securing a plan of your own, we’re here to explain exactly how private health insurance works in terms of charges, claims, and more.
What does private health insurance cover?
In the UK, private health insurance is designed to cover the cost of private treatment for acute conditions. These are short-term, curable health issues rather than long-term, chronic illnesses that people tend to live with their whole lives.
Private health insurers could also put exclusions on your plan. For example, covering pre-existing conditions can be difficult for some companies, though others may allow it in particular circumstances. Your policies medical underwriting determines which health conditions are covered and which are excluded on a policy.
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What are the benefits of private healthcare?
Some benefits of having private medical insurance include:
- The option to receive specialist drugs and treatment unavailable on the NHS
- Quick access to health care at the point of need rather than waiting for treatment or a diagnosis on an NHS waiting list, which are currently at the highest levels
- Control over where and when you are treated and who by
- Access to a private room rather than being in a busy ward
How much does private health insurance cost?
How much you pay for your health insurance cover will be impacted by a few factors, such as:
- Age
- Postcode
- Medical history
There are also other factors such as the level of cover you choose, the excess on the policy and hospital lists. Adding a six-week option to your policy will likely lower the cost but it always best to seek advice before doing this.
For an accurate cost use our get a quote service.
How do you make a claim on your health insurance?
Each private health insurer will have their own process, in most cases though they will require you to see your GP first for a referral before arranging private treatment.
Some insurers provide online GP appointments, making it quicker to get a referral, while others let you access specialists without one.
Generally, you’ll need approval from your insurer before seeing a specialist or receiving treatment. They will usually pay the healthcare provider directly, but if your policy has an excess or coverage limits, you may need to contribute to the cost.
If you ever need assistance with a claim or contacting your health insurance provider give us a call on 01242 350071. We have set up a specialist team, dedicated to providing support with claims. It’s also a completely free service to both our own clients and even those who do not have a policy with us.
Can I get a private health insurance policy to cover my family?
Yes, most health insurers in the UK provide cover for families. When it comes to cover there are a range of policies available that cover:
- Individuals
- Joint
- Family
- Child
- Over 50s
- Small business
- Large companies
Understanding more about private health insurance in the UK
Throughout this website we have provided additional information about everything you might come across regarding private health insurance. When selecting your cover here are a few things to consider:
