WeCovr's comprehensive guide to affordable cover for people over 60
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped over 750,000 people find the right protection, WeCovr understands the unique priorities of those seeking private medical insurance (PMI) in the UK after 60. This guide offers clear, expert advice on navigating your options and finding peace of mind.
Entering your 60s is a time of new opportunities, whether it's enjoying retirement, travelling more, or spending precious time with family. It's also a time when many of us think more seriously about our health. With NHS waiting lists remaining a significant concern, taking control of your healthcare journey becomes more important than ever.
Private medical insurance offers a powerful way to do just that. It provides a safety net, ensuring you can access prompt diagnosis and high-quality treatment for new, acute medical conditions, bypassing potential delays and getting you back to doing what you love, faster.
Why Consider Private Health Insurance in Your 60s?
While the NHS provides excellent care, it is under undeniable pressure. For those over 60, the potential for long waits for consultations, scans, and treatments can be a source of significant anxiety.
Key Reasons People Over 60 Choose PMI:
- Beat the Queues: The primary driver for most is speed. According to NHS England data, the median waiting time for consultant-led elective care can be many weeks, with millions of people on the overall waiting list. PMI allows you to be seen and treated in a matter of weeks, not months or years.
- Choice and Control: Private health cover gives you more control over your healthcare. You can often choose your specialist or surgeon and select a hospital that is convenient for you from an approved list.
- Comfort and Privacy: Treatment is typically provided in a private hospital room with an en-suite bathroom, offering a more comfortable and restful environment for recovery.
- Access to Specialist Drugs and Treatments: Some advanced drugs or treatments, while approved, may not be readily available on the NHS due to funding decisions. PMI policies can sometimes provide access to these options.
- Peace of Mind: Perhaps the most valuable benefit is knowing you have a plan in place. This reassurance can reduce stress for both you and your loved ones should a health issue arise.
Real-Life Example: Imagine 64-year-old David, a keen gardener, develops severe hip pain. His GP suspects he needs a hip replacement. On the NHS, he could face a wait of over a year. With his PMI policy, David gets a private consultation within two weeks, a diagnosis confirmed by an MRI scan the following week, and surgery scheduled a month later. He is back in his garden in a fraction of the time.
How Does Private Medical Insurance Work in the UK?
Think of private medical insurance as a healthcare subscription. You pay a monthly or annual premium to an insurance company. In return, if you develop a new, eligible medical condition after your policy starts, the insurer pays for your private diagnosis and treatment.
The Typical PMI Journey:
- See Your GP: Your first port of call is usually your NHS GP. They will assess your symptoms and, if necessary, provide an 'open referral' for specialist treatment.
- Contact Your Insurer: You call your PMI provider with the referral details. They will check your policy to confirm you are covered for the condition and treatment.
- Choose Your Specialist: The insurer will provide a list of approved specialists and hospitals. You can then book your appointments at a time and place that suits you.
- Receive Treatment: You undergo your consultations, scans, and treatment in a private facility.
- Bills are Settled: The hospital and specialists bill your insurer directly. Apart from any excess you've chosen to pay, you won't see a bill.
What Does Health Insurance for Over 60s Typically Cover?
Most standard policies are designed to cover acute conditions – illnesses or injuries that are likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery.
Core Cover typically includes:
- In-patient and day-patient treatment: This covers costs when you are admitted to hospital for surgery or procedures, including surgeons' fees, anaesthetists' fees, and hospital charges.
- Cancer cover: This is a cornerstone of most policies. It usually covers the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Some policies offer access to experimental drugs not yet available on the NHS.
Optional Add-ons for More Comprehensive Cover:
You can tailor your policy by adding extra benefits, though this will increase your premium.
- Out-patient cover: This is one of the most popular add-ons. It pays for specialist consultations and diagnostic tests (like MRI, CT, and PET scans) that don't require a hospital stay. Without this, you would rely on the NHS for diagnosis before being able to use your PMI for treatment.
- Therapies: This covers treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic care, which are crucial for recovery from joint or muscle issues.
- Mental health cover: Provides access to psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists to support your mental wellbeing.
- Dental and optical cover: A less common add-on that can help with routine check-ups, glasses, or dental treatment.
| Feature | Core Cover (Typically Included) | Optional Add-on (Increases Premium) |
|---|
| Hospital Stays (In-patient) | ✅ | |
| Cancer Treatment | ✅ | |
| Specialist Consultations | | ✅ |
| Diagnostic Scans (MRI/CT) | | ✅ |
| Physiotherapy | | ✅ |
| Mental Health Support | | ✅ |
The Critical Exclusions: What Is NOT Covered?
This is the single most important aspect to understand before buying a policy. Standard UK private medical insurance does not cover pre-existing or chronic conditions.
- Pre-existing Conditions: These are any diseases, illnesses, or injuries for which you have had symptoms, medication, advice, or treatment before your policy start date. For example, if you have a history of knee trouble, your policy will not cover treatment for that specific knee.
- Chronic Conditions: These are long-term conditions that cannot be cured, only managed. Think of diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, arthritis, or Crohn's disease. The NHS will continue to manage these conditions for you.
PMI is there to protect you against new, unexpected, and curable health problems that arise after you join. Understanding this distinction is key to having the right expectations and avoiding disappointment.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost for Over 60s?
The cost of private health cover increases with age because the statistical risk of needing medical treatment is higher. However, "expensive" is relative, and there are many ways to make it affordable.
For a healthy individual in their early 60s, a basic policy might start from around £70-£90 per month. A more comprehensive policy with out-patient cover could range from £120 to over £250 per month.
These are just guide prices. Your actual premium will depend on several factors.
Key Factors Influencing Your PMI Premiums
| Factor | How It Affects Your Premium | How to Manage the Cost |
|---|
| Age | The older you are, the higher the premium. | The best time to buy is now; it will likely be more expensive next year. |
| Location | Premiums are higher in areas with expensive private hospitals, like Central London. | Choose a provider with a hospital list that excludes the most expensive facilities. |
| Level of Cover | More add-ons (like full out-patient cover) mean higher costs. | Stick to core cover or choose a limited out-patient option (e.g., £500 per year). |
| Excess | This is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim. A higher excess lowers your premium. | Choose a higher excess (£250, £500, or even £1,000) to significantly reduce your monthly payments. |
| Hospital List | Policies with access to all private hospitals are more expensive than those with a limited network. | Select a list that covers good quality local hospitals but excludes pricey city-centre ones. |
| Underwriting | The method used to assess your medical history can impact the price and what's covered. | A specialist broker like WeCovr can explain the pros and cons of each method for your situation. |
How to Find Affordable Health Insurance Over 60
Finding cheap cover isn't the goal; finding good value cover that meets your needs is. Here are proven strategies to secure affordable protection.
- Increase Your Excess: This is the quickest way to lower your premium. If you can afford to pay the first £500 of a claim, your monthly cost will drop significantly.
- Consider a 6-Week Wait Option: Some policies include an option where your private treatment only kicks in if the NHS waiting list for that treatment is longer than six weeks. As waits are often much longer, this can be a savvy way to save money while still having a robust safety net.
- Tailor Your Out-patient Cover: You don't always need unlimited out-patient cover. Capping it at £1,000 or £1,500 per year is often more than enough for initial consultations and diagnostics, and it's much cheaper.
- Choose Your Hospital Network Wisely: Unless you live in Central London and insist on being treated there, you can save money by choosing a "guided" or "local" hospital list.
- Stay Healthy: Some insurers, like Vitality, actively reward healthy lifestyles with lower premiums and other perks. Simple things like regular walks can make a difference.
- Use an Expert Broker: This is arguably the most important step. A specialist PMI broker like WeCovr does the hard work for you. We compare policies from across the market to find the one that best fits your needs and budget. Our service is free to you, as we are paid by the insurer you choose. We provide impartial advice to help you make an informed decision.
Choosing the Right Underwriting Method
When you apply, the insurer will assess your medical history. There are two main ways they do this.
| Underwriting Type | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Moratorium (Most Common) | You don't declare your full medical history upfront. The insurer automatically excludes any condition you've had in the last 5 years. This exclusion can be lifted if you go 2 full years on the policy without symptoms, treatment, or advice for that condition. | Quick and easy application process. Pre-existing conditions can potentially become covered over time. | Less certainty at the start. Claims can be slower as the insurer may need to investigate your medical history. |
| Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) | You complete a detailed health questionnaire. The insurer reviews your history and tells you exactly what is and isn't covered from day one, usually in the form of permanent exclusions. | Complete clarity from the outset. You know exactly where you stand. Claims process is often faster. | The application is longer. Exclusions are typically permanent and will never be covered. |
An expert adviser at WeCovr can help you decide which underwriting method is most suitable for your personal circumstances.
Beyond Insurance: WeCovr's Commitment to Your Wellbeing
We believe that support for our customers goes beyond just arranging a policy. We want to empower you to live a healthier, happier life.
- Complimentary Access to CalorieHero: All WeCovr customers who purchase a PMI or Life Insurance policy gain complimentary access to our revolutionary AI calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of many health conditions that appear in later life, and CalorieHero makes it simple and intuitive.
- Discounts on Other Cover: We value our customers' loyalty. When you take out a policy with us, you become eligible for discounts on other types of insurance you may need, such as life insurance or travel insurance.
- A Focus on Wellness: Throughout this guide, we've touched on proactive health. Here are a few more tips for staying well in your 60s and beyond:
- Stay Active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week. This could be brisk walking, swimming, or cycling. Strength exercises are also vital for bone density and balance.
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. This can help manage weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
- Prioritise Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night. It's crucial for cognitive function, immune health, and physical recovery.
- Travel with Confidence: If you plan to travel, ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance in addition to your UK PMI, as PMI does not cover you abroad.
Is Private Health Insurance Worth It Over 60?
Ultimately, this is a personal decision based on your priorities and financial situation.
Ask yourself:
- How much would a long wait for treatment impact my quality of life, my ability to work (if applicable), or my family?
- Do I have savings I would be willing to use for private treatment, or would I prefer the predictability of a monthly premium?
- How much do I value the peace of mind that comes from knowing I have a plan in place?
For many, the answer is a resounding 'yes'. The security of knowing you can get fast access to high-quality care, when you need it most, is a benefit that's hard to put a price on. With high customer satisfaction ratings and a commitment to clear, honest advice, WeCovr is here to help you explore your options without any pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have a medical examination to get health insurance over 60?
No, it's very rare for UK insurers to require a medical exam. Your application will be assessed based on the underwriting method you choose. With 'Moratorium' underwriting, you answer very few medical questions, while with 'Full Medical Underwriting', you complete a detailed health questionnaire about your history.
Can I still use the NHS if I have private medical insurance?
Absolutely. Private medical insurance is designed to work alongside the NHS, not replace it. You will always have access to the NHS for emergency services (A&E), managing chronic conditions, and any treatments not covered by your policy. Having PMI simply gives you an alternative option for eligible, non-urgent care.
What happens if I develop a chronic condition after I take out the policy?
This is an excellent question. Typically, your policy will cover the initial diagnosis of the condition to find out what is wrong. However, once it is identified as a chronic condition (e.g., diabetes or arthritis), the long-term management and monitoring will be passed back to the NHS. Your PMI policy remains in place to cover any new, unrelated acute conditions you might develop in the future.
Are my premiums fixed for life?
No, premiums are not fixed. They are reviewed annually and will typically increase for two main reasons: age (as you move into a higher age bracket, the risk increases) and medical inflation (the rising cost of private healthcare technology, drugs, and services). Making a claim can also impact your renewal price, depending on whether you have a no-claims discount.
Take the Next Step Towards Peace of Mind
Navigating the world of private medical insurance can feel complex, but it doesn't have to be. The right advice can make all the difference, ensuring you get the cover you need at a price you can afford.
At WeCovr, our friendly, expert advisors are ready to help. We'll listen to your needs, answer your questions, and compare leading UK insurers to find the perfect fit for you.
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