The bill of health
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Health insurance helps cover the cost of private treatment for pre-agreed conditions.
You'll sometimes hear it called private medical insurance (PMI), but in most cases the product is the same – although exactly what's covered will vary from policy to policy.
You’ll pay a monthly or annual premium and when you need to access private medical care, your insurance policy will cover some or all of these costs.
Double check you don’t already have health insurance through your employer before taking out your own cover. Some companies offer private healthcare as part of a benefits package. It tends to be for the employee only, but sometimes it extends to your family too.
Health insurance could help you get treatment sooner.
The waiting list for hospital treatment rose to a record of nearly 7.5 million people in May 2023. The 18-week treatment target has not been met since 2016, according to The NHS.
The average waiting list time was 13.6 weeks according to The NHS.
Get quotesTo make sure you choose the right type of health insurance, first work out who you want it to cover:
This is a policy that covers you for private medical care. Your partner and family won’t be covered by your policy.
Family health insurance can cover your whole household for one monthly premium.
You'll all be able to get faster access to a wider range of treatments than you might be offered on the NHS.
A joint policy covers you and your partner.
Again, some employers offer joint health insurance as part of your work benefits so it’s worth checking with them first.
International health insurance covers the cost of treatment for you and your family while you’re living abroad.
It’s different to travel insurance, which will only cover healthcare costs during shorter trips.
It depends on the level of cover you have.
Basic health insurance policies will cover:
Mid-level policies usually include the above, plus:
Comprehensive policies include all of the above, as well as:
Health insurance policies don’t generally cover:
You might think you don't need private health insurance if you’re entitled to treatment on the NHS. But PMI works alongside your NHS treatment, giving you faster access to a greater range of treatments.
You’ll pay monthly or yearly premiums and choose your excess at the outset. The excess is the amount you agree to pay towards your treatment cost.
For example, if your excess is £100 and you have a treatment costing £500, your insurance will cover £400 and you’ll pay the £100 excess yourself.
If you get ill, you’ll need to make an appointment with your GP first.
Tell your GP that you have private medical insurance. They’ll be able to refer you for any private treatment that’s available under your policy.
This depends on your personal circumstances and the level of cover you need.
Your personal circumstances include things like your age, whether you smoke or vape, where you live and your medical history.
Whether you choose a basic, medium or comprehensive policy, your voluntary excess and how many nominated hospitals you choose will all affect the price too.
You might be able to bring your premium down by choosing a six-week wait option on your policy. This means that if the NHS waiting list is less than six weeks for the treatment you need, you’ll have it done on the NHS instead.
Treatment | Cost |
---|---|
Wisdom tooth removal | £2,450 |
Hip replacement | £13,402 |
Knee replacement | £14,449 |
Gall bladder removal | £6,620 |
Cataract surgery | £2,775 |
Slipped disc removal | £8,555 |
Laparoscopic hernia repair | £3,530 |
Colonoscopy | £2,200 |
Gastroscopy | £1,880 |
Carpal tunnel release | £2,088 |
Tonsillectomy | £3,084 |
Knee arthroscopy | £4,220 |
Abdominal hysterectomy | £8,014 |
Shoulder replacement | £13,050 |
According to MyTribe Insurance in August 2023
Getting a health insurance quote online couldn’t be simpler – fill in some details, compare your policy options and pick which one is right for you.
Claiming can be pretty straightforward too. It starts with a GP appointment to get a diagnosis and referral. Then your insurer can check it covers that condition and help you book a consultation where you’ll come up with your treatment plan.
Your insurer will be in touch if there’s any excess to pay.
Compare private health insurance today.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the amount spent on healthcare was equal to £3,227 per person in 2018.
Get quotesPrivate health insurance has its advantages:
But it isn’t a cure-all:
There are a few steps you can take to bring costs down:
Non-smokers usually get a cheaper deal. There are NHS support services that can help you quit
Your company may offer free healthcare – check before you buy a policy
But only if you’d be able to afford to pay that amount upfront
A lump sum generally works out cheaper than monthly premiums
Certain insurers will give you a cheaper deal if you stay fit
Are there any treatments you feel you could cut from your policy?
Compare your options to make sure you’re getting a great deal
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Page last reviewed: 12 August 2023
Page reviewed by: Holly Thomas
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