Does PMI Cover Hospital Accommodation for Parents With Sick Children
As an FCA-authorised expert with over 900,000 policies arranged, WeCovr understands that when your child is unwell, your only focus is being by their side. This guide explores how UK private medical insurance can provide vital support, including covering accommodation costs, so you can stay with your child in hospital.
Family-friendly insurers and policies for parents at your childs bedside
When your child requires a hospital stay, the last thing you want to worry about is logistics or expense. The emotional strain is enough. Fortunately, many leading UK private medical insurance (PMI) providers recognise this and include a 'parent accommodation' benefit within their policies.
This benefit is designed specifically to cover the cost of a parent staying in the same hospital as their child, or sometimes in a nearby hotel if a hospital room isn't available. It’s a feature that transforms a good policy into a great one for families, providing peace of mind when it’s needed most.
However, this isn't a standard feature on all plans. It's typically found on more comprehensive policies or offered as an optional add-on. Understanding which insurers offer it and under what conditions is key to choosing the right cover for your family.
Understanding Parent Accommodation in UK Private Medical Insurance
In the world of health insurance, 'parent accommodation' is a specific benefit that pays for one parent to stay overnight with their child while the child is receiving eligible inpatient treatment in a private hospital.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Who is it for? It applies to a parent or legal guardian of a child who is covered by the PMI policy.
- What does it cover? It typically covers the cost of the bed in the child's room. Some policies may extend this to cover a room in a nearby hotel if the hospital cannot accommodate you. Food and other personal expenses are not usually included.
- Are there limits? Yes. Insurers usually place an age limit on the child (often up to 16 or 18) and a financial cap on the benefit, such as £100 per night, up to a maximum number of nights per policy year.
- Is it automatic? No. You must always get pre-authorisation from your insurer before the hospital stay. They need to confirm that the child's treatment is covered and that the parent accommodation benefit is included in your plan.
This benefit is one of the most tangible examples of how private health cover can provide comfort and support beyond just medical treatment.
The Critical Distinction: Acute vs. Chronic Conditions
Before we delve deeper, it's vital to understand a fundamental principle of all standard UK private medical insurance policies. PMI is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after you take out your policy.
- Acute Condition: A disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Examples include infections, hernias, joint replacements, or removing tonsils.
- Chronic Condition: A disease, illness, or injury that has one or more of the following characteristics: it needs ongoing or long-term monitoring, has no known cure, or is likely to recur. Examples include diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and eczema.
PMI does not cover the treatment of chronic conditions. Likewise, pre-existing conditions – any health issue you or your child had before the policy started – are also excluded.
This is why PMI is a perfect partner to the NHS. The NHS provides excellent care for chronic conditions and emergencies, while PMI offers you speed, choice, and comfort for new, treatable (acute) conditions.
Which UK Insurers Offer Parent Accommodation? A Comparative Look
The good news for parents is that most major UK insurers offer some form of parent accommodation benefit. However, the specifics vary significantly. Below is a comparison of what leading providers typically offer.
| Provider | Parent Accommodation Benefit | Child Age Limit | Typical Financial Limit | Key Conditions & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXA Health | Yes | Up to 18 | Up to £150 per night | Covers a single parent-and-child room. If unavailable, may cover a nearby hotel. Included on most personal health plans. |
| Bupa | Yes | Up to 16 | Up to £100 per night | Benefit is paid if the child is an inpatient. Included as standard on Bupa By You Comprehensive policies. |
| Aviva | Yes | Up to 15 | Up to £100 per night | Part of their standard hospital benefit on Healthier Solutions policies. May require the specialist to confirm it's needed. |
| Vitality | Yes | Up to 18 | Usually unlimited (subject to overall policy limits) | Included with their Personal Healthcare plans. Covers one parent in the child's hospital room. Strong focus on family wellness. |
| The Exeter | Yes | Up to 18 | Up to £125 per night | Available on their Health+ policy. The benefit is clear and designed to be straightforward for families. |
Disclaimer: Policy details, limits, and terms are subject to change and depend on the specific plan you choose. This table is for illustrative purposes based on typical 2025 offerings. Always check the policy documents.
As you can see, while the benefit is common, the details matter. An expert PMI broker like WeCovr can navigate these differences for you, ensuring you select a policy that provides the robust family-friendly features you need, at no extra cost to you.
How Does the Parent Accommodation Benefit Work in Practice?
Let's walk through a real-life example to see how this works.
Meet the Patel Family: Priya and her son, 7-year-old Rohan.
- The Problem: Rohan has been suffering from recurrent, severe tonsillitis, affecting his sleep and school attendance.
- GP Visit: Priya takes Rohan to their NHS GP, who agrees that a tonsillectomy is the best course of action. The GP explains the current NHS waiting list for this procedure is around 9 months in their area.
- The PMI Route: The Patels have a comprehensive family policy with private medical insurance. Priya calls her insurer to open a claim.
- Referral: The insurer asks for the GP's open referral letter. Priya sends it over. The insurer's clinical team approves the need for a specialist consultation.
- Choosing a Specialist: The insurer provides a list of approved paediatric ENT surgeons and hospitals near their home. Priya chooses a surgeon with excellent reviews at a nearby private hospital.
- Pre-authorisation: Before the procedure, Priya's insurer issues a pre-authorisation number. Crucially, they confirm that both Rohan's surgery and one parent's accommodation are covered under their plan. They confirm a limit of £125 per night for the parent's stay.
- The Hospital Stay: Rohan is admitted for his tonsillectomy. The hospital provides a private room with a bed for Priya. She is able to stay with him from the moment he is admitted until he is discharged the next day, providing constant comfort and reassurance.
- Billing: The hospital sends all the bills, including the charge for Priya's bed, directly to the insurer. The Patels only have to pay the £250 excess on their policy.
In this scenario, PMI didn't just pay for the surgery. It removed the stress of a long wait and, most importantly, allowed Priya to be a parent first and foremost, focusing entirely on Rohan's comfort and recovery.
What If My Policy Doesn't Cover Parent Accommodation?
If you discover your policy doesn't include this benefit, or the limits are too low, you still have options, though they may involve extra cost or uncertainty.
- Pay Out-of-Pocket: You can ask the private hospital for the cost of a parent bed. This can range from £80 to over £200 per night, depending on the hospital and location.
- Hospital Discretion: Some hospitals may have family rooms or reclining chairs they can offer at no cost, but these are extremely limited and cannot be guaranteed.
- Nearby Hotels: You could book a room in a hotel close to the hospital. This allows you to be nearby but isn't the same as being in the room with your child.
- Charitable Support: Organisations like Ronald McDonald House Charities UK provide free 'home away from home' accommodation for families with children in hospital. However, their houses are located at specific NHS children's hospitals and demand is exceptionally high. They are a vital lifeline but not a guaranteed solution for every family.
This is why proactively choosing a policy with a strong parent accommodation benefit is the most reliable way to ensure you can be there for your child.
Beyond Accommodation: Other Family-Friendly PMI Benefits
A truly family-focused PMI policy offers more than just a bed for the night. The best private health cover providers offer a suite of benefits designed to support your family's overall wellbeing.
1. 24/7 Digital GP Services
Having access to a GP via phone or video call at 3 a.m. when your child has a high fever is invaluable. It avoids a trip to A&E and provides immediate reassurance and advice. Most major insurers now include this as a standard feature.
2. Mental Health Support
With NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) facing record demand, private support can be a lifeline. Many PMI policies now offer:
- Cover for child psychologists and psychiatrists.
- Access to talking therapies for children and teenagers.
- Support lines and resources for parents struggling with the stress of a child's illness.
3. Family & Multi-Person Discounts
Insurers actively encourage families to join. You will almost always receive a discount for adding your partner and/or children to your policy compared to buying individual plans.
4. Wellness Programmes & Incentives
Providers like Vitality have pioneered wellness programmes that reward families for staying active. You can earn points for family walks, bike rides, and healthy eating, which can be converted into cinema tickets, coffees, and even discounts on your next year's premium.
At WeCovr, we enhance this further. When you take out a PMI or Life Insurance policy with us, you get complimentary access to our CalorieHero AI app to help manage your family's nutrition, plus exclusive discounts on other types of cover you might need, like home or travel insurance.
How to Choose the Right Family PMI Policy
Navigating the market can feel overwhelming. Here's a simple, four-step process to find the perfect policy for your family's needs.
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Assess Your Needs and Budget:
- How old are your children? (Check age limits for benefits).
- What is your budget? Think about the monthly premium and the excess you're willing to pay per claim. A higher excess lowers your premium.
- What's most important to you? Is it fast access to specialists, comprehensive cancer cover, or family-friendly benefits like parent accommodation?
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Understand the Core Components:
- Core Cover: This is the foundation, covering inpatient and day-patient treatment (when you need a hospital bed).
- Outpatient Cover: This is a crucial add-on. It covers consultations, diagnostic tests, and scans that don't require a hospital bed. Without this, you'd have to use the NHS for diagnosis before getting private treatment.
- Therapies: Covers treatments like physiotherapy, which is essential for post-operative recovery or sports injuries.
- Mental Health: Often an optional add-on, but increasingly important for families.
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Check the Hospital List: Every insurer has a list of approved hospitals. Ensure the hospitals in your area, particularly those with good paediatric departments, are on your chosen insurer's list. Some policies offer a reduced list to lower the premium.
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Speak to an Independent Broker: This is the single most effective step you can take. A broker like WeCovr works for you, not the insurer.
- We Compare the Entire Market: We analyse policies from all the top UK providers.
- We Explain the Jargon: We translate complex policy documents into plain English.
- We Find the Best Value: We find the policy that best matches your specific needs and budget.
- Our Service is Free: We are paid a commission by the insurer you choose, so our expert advice and support costs you nothing.
The NHS and Private Healthcare: A Partnership for Your Child's Health
It's a common misconception that having PMI means you leave the NHS behind. The reality is that they work together as a powerful team to protect your family's health.
- Emergencies: For any serious accident or emergency, you should always go straight to your local NHS A&E. Private hospitals are not equipped for major trauma or life-threatening situations.
- Chronic Care: The NHS will continue to manage any long-term or chronic conditions your child may have.
- The GP Gateway: Your NHS GP remains your first point of contact and the gateway to specialist care, whether on the NHS or privately.
Think of PMI as a way to bypass the queue for non-urgent, specialist treatment for new, acute conditions. It gives you control over when and where your child is treated, with the added comfort and privacy that the private sector can offer, while the NHS remains a constant, reliable safety net.
Is private medical insurance for children worth it in the UK?
Can I add my newborn baby to my PMI policy?
Does private health insurance cover routine check-ups or vaccinations for children?
Being able to stay by your child's side during a hospital stay isn't a luxury; it's a necessity for their wellbeing and your peace of mind. Choosing a private medical insurance policy that includes this benefit is one of the most caring decisions you can make for your family.
Ready to find the best private health cover for your family? Get a free, no-obligation quote from WeCovr today. Our expert advisors will compare the top UK insurers to find a policy that keeps your loved ones protected.
Related guides
Why private medical insurance and how does it work?
What is Private Medical Insurance?
Private medical insurance (PMI) is a type of health insurance that provides access to private healthcare services in the UK. It covers the cost of private medical treatment, allowing you to bypass NHS waiting lists and receive faster, more convenient care.How does it work?
Private medical insurance works by paying for your private healthcare costs. When you need treatment, you can choose to go private and your insurance will cover the costs, subject to your policy terms and conditions. This can include:• Private consultations with specialists
• Private hospital treatment and surgery
• Diagnostic tests and scans
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Mental health treatment
Your premium depends on factors like your age, health, occupation, and the level of cover you choose. Most policies offer different levels of cover, from basic to comprehensive, allowing you to tailor the policy to your needs and budget.
Questions to ask yourself regarding private medical insurance
Just ask yourself:👉 Are you concerned about NHS waiting times for treatment?
👉 Would you prefer to choose your own consultant and hospital?
👉 Do you want faster access to diagnostic tests and scans?
👉 Would you like private hospital accommodation and better food?
👉 Do you want to avoid the stress of NHS waiting lists?
Many people don't realise that private medical insurance is more affordable than they think, especially when you consider the value of faster treatment and better facilities. A great insurance policy can provide peace of mind and ensure you receive the care you need when you need it.
Benefits offered by private medical insurance
Private medical insurance provides numerous benefits that can significantly improve your healthcare experience and outcomes:Faster Access to Treatment
One of the biggest advantages is avoiding NHS waiting lists. While the NHS provides excellent care, waiting times can be lengthy. With private medical insurance, you can often receive treatment within days or weeks rather than months.
Choice of Consultant and Hospital
You can choose your preferred consultant and hospital, giving you more control over your healthcare journey. This is particularly important for complex treatments where you want a specific specialist.
Better Facilities and Accommodation
Private hospitals typically offer superior facilities, including private rooms, better food, and more comfortable surroundings. This can make your recovery more pleasant and potentially faster.
Advanced Treatments
Private medical insurance often covers treatments and medications not available on the NHS, giving you access to the latest medical advances and technologies.
Mental Health Support
Many policies include comprehensive mental health coverage, providing faster access to therapy and psychiatric care when needed.
Tax Benefits for Business Owners
If you're self-employed or a business owner, private medical insurance premiums can be tax-deductible, making it a cost-effective way to protect your health and your business.
Peace of Mind
Knowing you have access to private healthcare when you need it provides invaluable peace of mind, especially for those with ongoing health conditions or concerns about NHS capacity.
Private medical insurance is particularly valuable for those who want to take control of their healthcare journey and ensure they receive the best possible treatment when they need it most.
Important Fact!
We can look at a more suitable option mid-term!
Why is it important to get private medical insurance early?
👉 Many people are very thankful that they had their private medical insurance cover in place before running into some serious health issues. Private medical insurance is as important as life insurance for protecting your family's finances.👉 We insure our cars, houses, and even our phones! Yet our health is the most precious thing we have.
Easily one of the most important insurance purchases an individual or family can make in their lifetime, the decision to buy private medical insurance can be made much simpler with the help of FCA-authorised advisers. They are the specialists who do the searching and analysis helping people choose between various types of private medical insurance policies available in the market, including different levels of cover and policy types most suitable to the client's individual circumstances.
It certainly won't do any harm if you speak with one of our experienced insurance experts who are passionate about advising people on financial matters related to private medical insurance and are keen to provide you with a free consultation.
You can discuss with them in detail what affordable private medical insurance plan for the necessary peace of mind they would recommend! WeCovr works with some of the best advisers in the market.
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