TL;DR
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr understands that navigating the world of private medical insurance in the UK can feel complex. One question stands out above all others: are my previous health issues covered? This guide provides the definitive answer.
Key takeaways
- An acute condition is an illness, disease, or injury that is short-lived, likely to respond quickly to treatment, and from which you are expected to return to your previous state of health.
- A chronic condition is an illness that cannot be cured but can be managed through medication, therapies, and check-ups. It is long-lasting and often lifelong.
- Moratorium Underwriting (MORI)
- Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)
- How it works: You do not have to complete a detailed medical questionnaire when you apply. Instead, the insurer applies a blanket exclusion for any medical conditions you've had in the (usually) five years before your policy start date.
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr understands that navigating the world of private medical insurance in the UK can feel complex. One question stands out above all others: are my previous health issues covered? This guide provides the definitive answer.
WeCovr explains how UK PMI handles pre-existing health issues
Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is a powerful tool for taking control of your health. It offers prompt access to specialist consultations, advanced diagnostics, and high-quality private treatment, allowing you to bypass ever-growing NHS waiting lists.
However, a fundamental principle of insurance is that it covers unforeseen future events, not known certainties. This is why the treatment of pre-existing conditions is one of the most critical—and often misunderstood—aspects of any UK health insurance policy.
This comprehensive guide will demystify the rules, explain the jargon, and empower you to make an informed decision about your health cover.
What is a Pre-Existing Condition in the Eyes of an Insurer?
Before we dive deeper, let's establish a clear definition.
In the context of UK private medical insurance, a pre-existing condition is any disease, illness, or injury for which you have experienced symptoms, received medication, sought advice, or required treatment before the start date of your policy.
It doesn't matter whether you received a formal diagnosis or not. If you've had symptoms or consulted a medical professional about an issue, an insurer will consider it pre-existing.
Insurers typically look at your medical history from the last five years, but this can vary.
Common Examples of Pre-Existing Conditions:
| Condition Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal | Joint pain in your knee from a year ago, even without a diagnosis. |
| Respiratory | Asthma that was diagnosed in childhood and requires an occasional inhaler. |
| Cardiovascular | High blood pressure (hypertension) being managed with medication. |
| Mental Health | A course of therapy for anxiety that finished two years ago. |
| Gastrointestinal | Symptoms of IBS for which you saw a GP three years ago. |
| Dermatological | A patch of eczema that occasionally flares up. |
The Golden Rule: Does UK PMI Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
Let's be direct: No, standard private medical insurance policies in the UK do not cover pre-existing conditions.
This is the single most important rule to understand. PMI is designed to cover the cost of treating new, acute medical conditions that arise after your policy has begun. It is not designed to pay for the treatment of health issues you already have.
This is also why PMI typically excludes chronic conditions—long-term illnesses that require ongoing management rather than a curative treatment.
Understanding this distinction is key to setting the right expectations for your private health cover.
Acute vs. Chronic Conditions: A Crucial Distinction for Your Cover
Your PMI policy is built around treating acute conditions. Understanding the difference between acute and chronic is essential to knowing what you can claim for.
- An acute condition is an illness, disease, or injury that is short-lived, likely to respond quickly to treatment, and from which you are expected to return to your previous state of health.
- A chronic condition is an illness that cannot be cured but can be managed through medication, therapies, and check-ups. It is long-lasting and often lifelong.
PMI will not cover the day-to-day management, medication, or routine check-ups for chronic conditions like diabetes or arthritis, even if they are diagnosed after your policy starts.
| Feature | Acute Condition | Chronic Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Onset | Sudden | Gradual or sudden |
| Duration | Short-term (days or weeks) | Long-term (months, years, or lifelong) |
| Treatment Goal | To cure the condition | To manage symptoms and prevent progression |
| PMI Cover | Generally covered (if it's not pre-existing) | Generally not covered (routine management is excluded) |
| Examples | Appendicitis, broken bones, cataracts, hernias, infections requiring hospitalisation. | Diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, arthritis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis. |
An important note: Some policies may offer limited cover for an acute flare-up of a chronic condition. For example, your policy might cover a hospital admission for a severe asthma attack but would not cover the cost of your daily inhalers. This is a complex area, and the experts at WeCovr can help you compare policies to understand these subtle but vital differences.
How Insurers Assess Your Health: The Two Types of Underwriting
When you apply for PMI, the insurer needs to understand your medical history to determine what they will and won't cover. They do this using one of two main methods of underwriting. Choosing between them is one of the biggest decisions you'll make.
- Moratorium Underwriting (MORI)
- Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)
Let's break down how each one works.
1. Moratorium Underwriting: The "Wait and See" Approach
Moratorium underwriting is the most common type for individuals and families in the UK because it's quick and simple to set up.
- How it works: You do not have to complete a detailed medical questionnaire when you apply. Instead, the insurer applies a blanket exclusion for any medical conditions you've had in the (usually) five years before your policy start date.
- The Moratorium Period: The key feature is a "moratorium period," which is typically two years from your policy start date. If you remain completely free of any symptoms, treatment, medication, or medical advice for a specific pre-existing condition for a continuous two-year period after your policy begins, that condition may become eligible for cover in the future.
- When is your history checked? The insurer investigates your medical history at the point you make a claim. This means you might not know for certain if a condition is covered until you need treatment.
Real-Life Example: Sarah's Knee Pain
Sarah had some troublesome knee pain and saw her GP about it 18 months before taking out a moratorium policy. In the first year of her policy, the pain returns. Because this is a pre-existing condition and she has not gone two years symptom-free, her PMI will not cover the consultation or treatment.
However, if Sarah's knee remains perfectly fine for three years after her policy starts and then the pain returns, it is likely her PMI will now cover it, as she has passed the two-year clear period.
| Moratorium Underwriting | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Process | ✅ Fast and easy application with no medical forms. | ❌ Lack of certainty. You don't know what's covered until you claim. |
| Speed | ✅ Cover can often start almost immediately. | ❌ Claims process can be slower as the insurer needs to investigate your history. |
| Convenience | ✅ Less intrusive and requires no paperwork upfront. | ❌ Can lead to disappointing claim denials if the rules aren't understood. |
| Best For | People who are generally healthy, have no significant recent medical history, and prioritise a quick start. |
2. Full Medical Underwriting: The "Clarity from Day One" Approach
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) is a more detailed process, but it offers complete transparency about your cover from the very beginning.
- How it works: You complete a comprehensive health questionnaire as part of your application. You must declare all previous medical conditions, treatments, and consultations.
- The Insurer's Decision: The insurer's underwriting team reviews your application and decides what to do about your pre-existing conditions. They will then issue policy documents that explicitly list any conditions that are permanently excluded from your cover.
- When is your history checked? It's all done upfront. When you need to make a claim, the process is often faster because the insurer already knows your history and what is excluded.
Real-Life Example: David's Back Problem
David has a history of lower back pain, for which he had physiotherapy three years ago. He applies for an FMU policy and declares this on his form. The insurer assesses his case and offers him a policy with a specific exclusion for "any treatment related to the lumbar spine." David accepts.
Two years later, he develops a new shoulder problem. This will be covered because it's a new, unrelated condition. If his back pain returns, he knows he cannot claim for it, so he will use the NHS or self-fund. He has total clarity.
| Full Medical Underwriting | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Process | ✅ Complete certainty. You know exactly what is and isn't covered from day one. | ❌ Longer application process due to form-filling. |
| Speed | ✅ Claims process is generally faster and smoother. | ❌ Insurer may request more information from your GP, slowing down the application. |
| Convenience | ✅ No nasty surprises when you need to use your policy. | ❌ Can feel more intrusive than a moratorium policy. |
| Best For | People who have a known medical history and want absolute clarity on what their policy will cover before they commit. |
Choosing between MORI and FMU is a personal decision. A specialist PMI broker like WeCovr can talk you through the pros and cons based on your unique health history, helping you select the underwriting method that gives you the right balance of convenience and peace of mind.
Are There Any Exceptions for Pre-Existing Conditions?
While the general rule is "no cover," there are a few specific scenarios where cover for a pre-existing condition might be possible.
- After a Moratorium Period: As explained above, this is the most common way a pre-existing condition can become eligible for cover on an individual policy.
- Switching Insurers (CPME Underwriting): If you are already covered by a private medical insurance policy (either individually or through your employer) and wish to switch to a new insurer, you may be able to do so on a "Continued Personal Medical Exclusions" (CPME) or "Switch" basis. This special type of underwriting allows you to carry over the terms of your old policy, meaning any conditions that were previously covered will continue to be covered by the new insurer. This is a fantastic way to shop around for a better deal without losing valuable cover.
- Medical History Disregarded (MHD) Underwriting: This is the 'gold standard' of underwriting but is almost exclusively available only on large corporate group schemes. On an MHD basis, the insurer agrees to cover all eligible medical conditions, regardless of your previous medical history. If your employer offers this, it's an incredibly valuable benefit. It is generally not available for individual or small business policies.
The Importance of Honesty
It can be tempting to omit a past health issue from your application form, especially if it feels minor. This is a significant mistake.
Withholding information about your health is known as "non-disclosure." If an insurer discovers that you were not truthful on your application (which they almost certainly will when they request your medical records during a claim), they have the right to:
- Cancel your policy from the start date, as if it never existed.
- Refuse to pay your claim.
- Demand you repay any money they have already paid out for previous claims.
- Decline to offer you insurance in the future.
The best policy is always complete honesty. This allows the insurer to provide you with a policy that has clear, fair terms you can rely on.
What to Do if You Have Pre-Existing Conditions
Having a pre-existing condition does not mean you can't get private health insurance. It simply means you need to be strategic. Here are your options:
- Rely on the NHS for those conditions: Remember, PMI is designed to work alongside the NHS, not replace it. You can take out a PMI policy to cover new, acute conditions while continuing to use the excellent NHS services for the management of your pre-existing or chronic illnesses.
- Choose a Moratorium Policy: If your condition was minor and occurred some time ago, a moratorium policy may be a great option, as the condition could become eligible for cover in the future.
- Opt for Full Medical Underwriting: This provides you with absolute clarity. You will have a list of exclusions, but you will have peace of mind knowing that everything else is covered.
- Speak to a Broker: This is the most effective path. An expert broker can assess your specific situation, explain which providers might view your condition most favourably, and compare the entire market to find the best value policy that meets your needs.
Beyond Treatment: How PMI and WeCovr Support Your Overall Wellbeing
Modern private medical insurance is about more than just paying for hospital stays. The best PMI providers are increasingly focused on preventative care and holistic wellbeing, giving you tools to stay healthy.
These benefits are often available from day one, regardless of any exclusions on your policy:
- 24/7 Virtual GP Services: Speak to a GP via phone or video call, often within hours, for quick advice and prescriptions.
- Mental Health Support: Access to counselling sessions, therapy apps, and support lines without needing a GP referral.
- Gym Discounts and Fitness Programmes: Many insurers offer significant discounts on gym memberships and wearable tech to encourage an active lifestyle.
- Health and Wellbeing Apps: Tools for mindfulness, nutrition, and fitness tracking.
At WeCovr, we enhance this further. When you arrange your health insurance through us, you get:
- Complimentary access to CalorieHero: Our advanced AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app to help you manage your diet and achieve your health goals.
- Exclusive discounts: Taking out a PMI or Life Insurance policy with us can unlock savings on other types of cover you may need, like home or travel insurance.
Our goal is to provide a complete circle of care, helping you not only get better when you're unwell but also to live a healthier, happier life every day.
Conclusion: Making the Smart Choice for Your Health
So, does private health insurance cover pre-existing conditions in the UK? The straightforward answer is no. Standard policies are designed to cover new, acute conditions that begin after your policy starts.
However, the reality is more nuanced. With options like moratorium underwriting, it's possible for past conditions to become eligible for cover over time. For those seeking absolute clarity from day one, full medical underwriting provides a definitive list of what is and isn't included.
The UK's private healthcare landscape offers incredible choice and quality, but its rules can be complex. You don't have to navigate it alone. An independent, FCA-authorised broker like WeCovr acts as your expert guide. We use our market knowledge to compare policies from all the leading providers, explain the fine print in plain English, and find a solution that fits your health profile and your budget—all at no cost to you.
Protect your health and your peace of mind. Let's find the right cover for you.
Do I need to declare a minor health issue I had many years ago?
What happens if I don't declare a pre-existing condition and try to claim for it?
Can I get private health insurance if I have a chronic illness like diabetes or arthritis?
Is cancer considered a pre-existing condition?
Ready to find out your options? Get a free, no-obligation quote from WeCovr today and let our experts find the perfect private medical insurance policy for you.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics (ONS): Mortality, earnings, and household statistics.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Insurance and consumer protection guidance.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI): Life insurance and protection market publications.
- HMRC: Tax treatment guidance for relevant protection and benefits products.
