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Who is this guide for?
This guide is for individuals, couples and families who are considering private health insurance and want to understand how it works before choosing a policy.
We explain the different types of cover available, what private health insurance may include, what can affect the cost of a policy and the key things to consider when comparing UK providers.
Whether you are looking at health insurance for the first time, reviewing your current cover or exploring options later in life, this guide is designed to help you make a more informed decision.
What is Private Health Insurance?
Private health insurance, also known as private medical insurance (PMI), is a type of insurance policy designed to help pay for eligible private healthcare.
Instead of paying the full cost of private treatment yourself, you pay a regular monthly premium to a health insurance provider. If you need medical care that is covered by your policy, your insurer may contribute towards the cost of consultations, tests, treatment or hospital care.
Private health insurance does not replace the NHS. It works alongside NHS services by giving you additional options for accessing certain types of healthcare privately.
The exact benefits available depend on your insurer, policy type and the level of cover you choose.
Key Things to Know
Cover levels and benefits vary between insurers
Monthly premiums depend on your personal circumstances
You can adjust options such as excess and outpatient cover
Comparing providers can help you understand available options
How Does Private Health Insurance Work?
Private health insurance works by covering eligible medical costs included within your policy.
After choosing your cover and setting up a policy, you pay a monthly premium to your insurer. If you develop a new medical condition and need treatment, you contact your insurer who will explain the claims process and what options may be available.
The process varies between insurers, but private health insurance usually follows four main steps.
Choose Your Level Of Cover
Select the type of private health insurance policy that suits your requirements. You can choose different levels of cover and adjust options such as outpatient treatment, excess and hospital access.
Pay A Monthly Premium
Your monthly premium keeps your policy active. The cost can vary depending on factors such as your age, location, cover options and personal circumstances.
Make A Claim Through Your Insurer
If you need eligible private treatment, you contact your insurer who will explain the claims process and confirm what is covered by your policy.
Access Private Healthcare
Depending on your cover, you may be able to access private consultations, diagnostic tests, specialists or hospital treatment.
What Does Private Health Insurance Cover?
The cover included with private health insurance depends on your chosen provider, policy and level of protection. Different insurers offer different benefits, so it is important to check exactly what is included before choosing a policy.
Most private health insurance policies are designed to help with the cost of eligible private medical treatment. This may include access to specialists, diagnostic tests, hospital treatment and other healthcare services depending on your cover.
Some policies focus mainly on inpatient treatment, while more comprehensive health insurance plans may include additional options such as outpatient appointments, therapies and enhanced cancer care.
You can usually adjust your policy by adding or removing certain benefits, changing your excess amount or selecting different hospital options to suit your needs and budget.
The exact benefits available will depend on your chosen insurer, policy and cover options.
Generally Included (Depending On Your Level Of Cover)
Private Consultations - Many health insurance policies can provide access to private specialist consultations when you are referred for an eligible medical condition.
Diagnostic Tests & Scans - Depending on your cover, your policy may include diagnostic tests such as blood tests, X-rays, MRI scans or other investigations recommended by a specialist.
Private Hospital Treatment - Health insurance may help cover eligible private hospital treatment, including operations, procedures and inpatient care included within your policy.
Cancer Cover - Many private health insurance providers offer cancer cover options. Benefits vary but may include access to eligible treatments, specialist care and support services.
Mental Health Support - Some policies include mental health benefits, which may provide access to approved specialists, therapy options or support services depending on your chosen cover.
Therapies - Additional therapies such as physiotherapy, osteopathy or chiropractic treatment may be available with some policies or added as optional benefits.
💡 Simple Health Cover Insight
From the enquiries we see, many people initially focus on monthly cost, but factors such as outpatient limits, excess levels and hospital lists can significantly affect the type of cover available.
Generally Not Included:
Emergency Treatment - Private health insurance does not usually replace NHS emergency services such as A&E.
Pre-Existing Conditions - Existing medical conditions may not always be covered depending on your insurer, policy and underwriting method.
Routine Pregnancy And Childbirth - Most standard policies do not usually cover normal pregnancy and childbirth.
Cosmetic Treatment - Treatment chosen mainly for cosmetic reasons is typically excluded.
Long-Term Chronic Conditions - Ongoing management of chronic conditions may not usually be covered.
⚖️ Things to Consider Before Choosing Cover
Private health insurance can provide access to additional healthcare options, but it is important to understand how policies work before choosing cover.
- Cover levels, exclusions and policy features vary between providers.
- Pre-existing medical conditions may not always be covered.
- Private health insurance does not usually replace emergency NHS services.
- The lowest monthly premium may not always provide the most suitable level of cover.
How Much Does Private Health Insurance Cost?
Private health insurance costs vary depending on your personal circumstances, the insurer you choose and the level of cover included in your policy.
There is no single fixed price for private health insurance because providers calculate premiums based on several different factors, including your age, location, medical history and the options you select.
A basic policy designed to cover eligible inpatient treatment will usually cost less than a comprehensive policy that includes wider benefits such as outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests and additional treatment options.
The best way to understand how much private health insurance may cost for you is to compare quotes based on your own circumstances and the level of cover you need.
What Affects The Cost Of Private Health Insurance?
Private health insurance providers consider a range of factors when calculating your monthly premium.
Private health insurance policies can usually be adjusted to help control your monthly premium. The cheapest policy is not always the most suitable option, but changing certain features may help you reduce costs while keeping the benefits that matter most to you.
Before removing cover, it is important to understand how each option affects the healthcare services and treatment choices available through your policy.
Here are some common ways people reduce the cost of private health insurance.
Your Age
Your age is one of the biggest factors affecting the cost of private health insurance. As people get older, they are statistically more likely to need medical treatment, which means premiums usually increase with age.
Someone buying health insurance in their 30s will typically pay less than someone arranging cover in their 50s or 60s.
Your Location
Where you live can affect your private health insurance premium.
Healthcare costs vary across the UK, and treatment in some areas, particularly locations with higher private hospital costs, may increase the price of cover. Some insurers allow you to choose different hospital lists, which may affect your monthly premium.
Your Level Of Cover
The amount of protection you choose has a significant impact on price. Lower-cost policies may focus mainly on inpatient treatment, while more comprehensive options can include additional benefits such as:
- Specialist consultations
- Diagnostic tests and scans
- Outpatient treatment
- Therapies
- Mental health support
Choosing more benefits usually increases the monthly premium.
Your Excess Amount
Many health insurance policies allow you to choose an excess.
An excess is the amount you agree to contribute towards an eligible claim before your insurer pays the remaining covered costs. Choosing a higher excess can often reduce your monthly premium, but it means you may pay more yourself if you need treatment.
Outpatient Cover Options
Outpatient cover is one of the biggest areas where policies differ. Some people choose limited outpatient cover to reduce their monthly cost, while others prefer more comprehensive outpatient benefits.
Outpatient services may include:
- Specialist appointments
- Diagnostic tests
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- MRI or CT scans
The options available vary depending on your insurer and policy.
Compare Different Health Insurance Providers
Different insurers calculate prices in different ways, so the cheapest provider for one person may not be the cheapest provider for another.
Comparing private health insurance quotes allows you to review:
- Monthly premiums
- Cover levels
- Hospital options
- Policy benefits
- Excess choices
Checking multiple providers can help you find cover that matches your healthcare needs and budget.
Review Your Policy Regularly
Your healthcare needs can change over time, so it can be useful to review your private health insurance policy each year. You may find that some options are no longer needed, or that another provider offers a policy better suited to your circumstances.
When reviewing your cover, compare both the monthly cost and the benefits included rather than focusing only on price.
💡 Simple Health Cover Insight
Many people focus only on finding the cheapest monthly premium, but the lowest price does not always provide the most suitable cover. Changing options such as your excess, hospital list and outpatient benefits can often have a significant impact on both price and the level of protection available.
Small changes to your policy options can sometimes make a noticeable difference to your monthly premium. Comparing providers and adjusting your excess, outpatient cover and hospital options can help you find suitable cover at a cost that works for you.
Is Cheap Private Health Insurance Worth It?
Choosing cheaper private health insurance may reduce your monthly premium, but it is important to understand what is included and excluded.
A lower-cost policy may still provide valuable protection, but it may have:
Lower outpatient limits
Fewer hospital options
Reduced additional benefits
Higher excess amounts
For some people this may be suitable, especially if they mainly want protection against larger unexpected medical costs.
Others may prefer a more comprehensive policy with wider treatment options.
Compare Private Health Insurance Providers
There are several private health insurance providers available in the UK, each offering different policy options, benefits and levels of cover.
The best private health insurance provider will depend on your personal circumstances, healthcare priorities and budget. Some people may prefer a lower monthly premium, while others may want wider hospital access, enhanced cancer cover or additional health and wellbeing benefits.
When comparing providers, it is important to consider more than just the monthly price.
Compare Private Health Insurance Providers
Policy Benefits
Different providers may include different levels of cover for consultations, diagnostic tests, treatments, therapies and additional healthcare services.
Hospital Access
Some policies provide access to a wider choice of private hospitals and specialists, while others use selected hospital lists to help manage costs.
Cancer Cover Options
Cancer benefits can vary between providers. Some policies may include access to specialist treatments, drugs or support services depending on the terms of the policy.
Digital Healthcare Services
Some insurers include online GP appointments, health apps, wellbeing tools or digital healthcare services as part of their policies.
Claims Process & Customer Support
How you access treatment, make a claim and receive support can differ between insurance companies.
💡 Simple Health Cover Insight
There is no single best private health insurance provider for everyone. Comparing several insurers can help you understand which policy options, benefits and prices are available based on your individual needs.
Popular UK Private Health Insurance Providers Include:
AXA Health
AXA Health is one of the largest private healthcare providers in the UK, offering a range of individual, family and business health insurance policies.
Options may include private specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, hospital treatment and additional wellbeing services depending on the policy selected.
Read AXA Health review →
Bupa
Bupa is one of the UK's best-known healthcare companies and provides private health insurance alongside other healthcare services.
Bupa health insurance policies can include access to private hospitals, consultants, cancer care options and digital health services depending on your chosen cover.
Read Bupa health insurance review →
Aviva
Aviva offers private health insurance policies designed to give customers access to eligible private healthcare and treatment options.
Policies may include benefits such as specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, hospital treatment and optional extras depending on your requirements.
Read Aviva health insurance review →
Vitality
Vitality combines private health insurance with a focus on health and lifestyle rewards.
Alongside eligible private healthcare benefits, Vitality policies may include incentives linked to healthy activities and wellbeing.
Read Vitality health insurance review →
WPA
WPA provides private medical insurance for individuals, families and businesses, with a focus on flexible healthcare options.
Depending on the policy chosen, WPA cover may include private consultations, diagnostics, hospital treatment and additional healthcare benefits.
Read WPA health insurance review →
The Exeter
The Exeter offers health insurance products including private medical insurance with a focus on flexible cover options.
Policies may provide access to private healthcare services, specialist treatment and support depending on the level of cover selected.
Read The Exeter health insurance review →
Freedom Health
Freedom Health Insurance is a UK-based provider offering private medical insurance for individuals, families and businesses.
Customers can choose different cover options depending on their healthcare needs, preferred benefits and budget.
Read Freedom Health insurance review →
Health-on-Line
Health-on-Line is a UK health insurance provider offering private medical insurance policies and is part of AXA Health.
Customers can choose flexible cover options depending on their healthcare needs, budget and the level of protection required.
Read Health-on-Line insurance review →
Types Of Private Health Insurance Policies
Private health insurance policies can be arranged in different ways depending on who needs cover. While many benefits and options are similar, the right type of policy will depend on your personal circumstances, who you want to include and how you plan to use private healthcare.
Most providers offer options for individuals, couples, families and businesses, with the ability to adjust the level of cover, excess and additional benefits.
Individual Private Health Insurance
Individual private health insurance is designed to cover one person. It allows you to choose a policy based on your own healthcare needs, budget and preferred level of protection.
A personal health insurance policy may help you access eligible private consultations, diagnostic tests and treatment without relying solely on NHS waiting times. You can usually adjust options such as your excess, outpatient cover and hospital access.
Couples Private Health Insurance
Couples health insurance allows two people to be covered under one policy. This is commonly used by partners who want to manage their private healthcare cover together.
A couples policy may be more convenient than managing two separate policies, although the cost will depend on factors such as each person's age, medical history and chosen cover options.
Family Private Health Insurance
Family health insurance is designed to cover multiple family members under one policy, usually including parents and children.
These policies can help families access eligible private healthcare services, including consultations, tests and treatment. The benefits available will depend on the insurer and the level of family cover selected.
Some providers allow you to add children to a policy or customise benefits depending on your family's healthcare needs.
Over 50s Private Health Insurance
Private health insurance for over 50s works in a similar way to standard health insurance but is often considered by people who want additional healthcare options later in life.
As you get older, your monthly premium may increase because age is one of the factors insurers use when calculating prices.
Comparing providers can be particularly important because costs, benefits and acceptance criteria may vary between insurers.
Business Health Insurance
Business health insurance, sometimes called company health insurance, allows employers to provide private healthcare benefits for employees.
Companies may use health insurance as part of an employee benefits package, helping staff access eligible private healthcare services when needed.
Business policies can vary depending on the number of employees, chosen benefits and level of cover provided.
💡 Simple Health Cover Insight
The best type of private health insurance depends on who you need to cover and what benefits are most important to you. Comparing different policy types can help you find an option suited to your healthcare needs and budget.