Compare Private Health Insurance in United Kingdom

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What is private health insurance in the UK?

Private medical insurance (PMI) pays for treatment in private hospitals and clinics, sitting alongside, not replacing, the NHS. It typically covers the diagnosis and treatment of acute conditions, those that can be cured or improved, giving faster access to specialists, private rooms and a choice of consultant and hospital.

The NHS remains free at the point of use and handles emergencies, chronic conditions and much routine care. PMI is bought mainly for shorter waits, comfort and choice, particularly for planned procedures and specialist referrals.

How the UK health insurance market works

Policies are usually annual and priced individually based on age, location, medical history and the level of cover chosen. Two underwriting approaches dominate: moratorium, which excludes pre-existing conditions from a set look-back period, and full medical underwriting, where you declare your history upfront. Premiums typically rise each year with age and medical inflation.

Cover is modular. Core inpatient and day-patient treatment is standard, while outpatient consultations, diagnostics, mental health, therapies and dental are often optional add-ons that shift the price.

Leading UK health insurers

Bupa UK and AXA Health UK are the two largest providers, with extensive hospital networks. Vitality Health UK is known for wellness-linked rewards that lower premiums for healthy behaviour. Aviva UK is a major all-round insurer, WPA is a long-established not-for-profit provider, Saga Health Insurance targets the over-50s, and Aetna and April Health serve international and specialist segments.

How to choose the right policy

Excess — a higher voluntary excess lowers the premium but means you pay more per claim.

Hospital list — narrower networks are cheaper; premium lists include central London hospitals.

Outpatient cover — full outpatient limits cost more but cover consultations and scans before any admission.

Underwriting — moratorium is simpler to buy; full underwriting gives clarity on what is covered.

What it costs

Premiums vary enormously with age, location and cover, from modest monthly sums for a young adult on a basic plan with a high excess, to several hundred pounds a month for comprehensive family cover for older policyholders. Adding outpatient, mental-health and dental benefits, or choosing a full London hospital list, pushes the price up.

Protections and regulation

PMI is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Complaints can be taken free to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), and if an insurer fails, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects at least 90% of a claim for general insurance with no upper cap. Remember that private cover does not remove your entitlement to NHS care.

Common questions

Are chronic conditions covered? Generally no, PMI focuses on acute, curable conditions; ongoing chronic care stays with the NHS.

Can I keep my GP? Yes, PMI usually starts with a GP referral to a specialist.

Do premiums rise if I claim? Premiums reflect age and overall claims inflation; some insurers apply no-claims discounts.

Can I get cover for cancer treatment? Many policies cover the diagnosis and treatment of new cancers, but the extent, including drugs not routinely funded by the NHS, varies, so check the cancer-cover terms closely.

Does my employer's scheme count? Company health schemes are common and often cheaper than individual cover, but end when you leave, so continuity of underwriting matters if you later buy your own.

Private Health Insurance in United Kingdom — FAQ