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How to Avoid Overpaying for Private Health Insurance in 2025

How to Avoid Overpaying for Private Health Insurance in 2025

With NHS waiting lists remaining a significant concern, securing the right private medical insurance in the UK is a priority for many families. Yet, how do you ensure you get the best value? As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 800,000 policies, our experts at WeCovr know it's about smart strategies, not just hunting for the cheapest price. This guide reveals how to avoid overpaying for your private health cover in 2025.

Strategies for policy comparison, negotiating premiums, and leveraging group cover for best value

The world of private medical insurance (PMI) can seem complex, with premiums influenced by everything from your age and postcode to the finer details of your cover. However, by understanding three core areas, you can take control and secure a policy that offers robust protection without breaking the bank.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore:

  1. Effective Policy Comparison: How to look beyond the headline price and compare the crucial elements that determine a policy's true value.
  2. Proactive Premium Management: Actionable steps you can take every year to keep your renewal costs in check.
  3. The Power of Group Cover: Uncovering the often-overlooked savings available through company health schemes, even for the smallest businesses.

Mastering these strategies will empower you to navigate the market with confidence and find the optimal balance between cost and comprehensive care.

Understanding What You're Paying For: The Anatomy of a PMI Policy

Before you can spot a good deal, you need to know what you're buying. A private medical insurance policy isn't a single product; it's a package of core benefits and optional extras. Understanding the difference is the first step to avoiding paying for things you don't need.

The Core of Every Policy: In-Patient and Day-Patient Care

At its heart, every UK PMI policy is designed to cover the costs of treatment when you are admitted to a hospital. This is known as in-patient (requiring an overnight stay) or day-patient (admitted for a procedure but not staying overnight) care.

This core cover typically includes:

  • Hospital accommodation costs
  • Surgeons', anaesthetists', and physicians' fees
  • Diagnostic tests and scans (like MRI and CT scans) while you are in hospital
  • Cancer treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy (often a comprehensive part of core cover)

Crucial Exclusion: Pre-existing and Chronic Conditions

This is the single most important concept to understand about UK private medical insurance. Standard policies are designed to cover acute conditions – illnesses or injuries that are short-term, responsive to treatment, and likely to resolve.

They are not designed to cover:

  • Pre-existing conditions: Any illness, disease, or injury for which you have experienced symptoms, received medication, or sought advice before your policy start date.
  • Chronic conditions: Long-term illnesses that cannot be cured, only managed. Examples include diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and arthritis.

While PMI won't cover the routine management of a chronic condition, it may cover an acute flare-up if the policy terms allow. Always clarify this with your adviser.

Customising Your Cover: The Optional Extras

This is where you can tailor a policy to your needs and, crucially, manage your premium. Common optional extras include:

  • Out-patient Cover: This pays for consultations and diagnostic tests that do not require a hospital admission. It's one of the most significant levers for controlling cost. You can choose different limits (e.g., £500, £1,000, £1,500, or fully comprehensive).
  • Therapies Cover: This includes treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic care.
  • Mental Health Cover: Provides access to psychiatrists and therapists. While some core policies offer limited mental health support, this extra extends it significantly.
  • Dental and Optical Cover: Helps with routine check-ups, treatments, and the cost of glasses or contact lenses.
FeatureCore Cover (Typically Included)Optional Extra (Adds to Cost)How it Affects Your Premium
In-patient/Day-patient Care✅The fundamental cost of the policy.
Comprehensive Cancer Care✅Usually included, but check the level of cover.
Out-patient Consultations & Scans✅High Impact. Removing or limiting this significantly reduces cost.
Physiotherapy & Other Therapies✅Medium Impact. Useful but can be removed to save money.
Mental Health SupportLimited✅ (for extended cover)Medium Impact. Increasingly popular and valuable.
Dental & Optical✅Low to Medium Impact. Often a 'cashback' style benefit.

Strategy 1: Master the Art of Policy Comparison

Simply typing "best private health insurance UK" into a search engine and clicking the first result is the quickest way to overpay. A truly effective comparison goes deeper.

Why You Shouldn't Go Direct to an Insurer

Approaching an insurer like Bupa, Aviva, or AXA Health directly may seem straightforward, but it has major drawbacks:

  • Biased Advice: They can only sell you their own products, which may not be the best fit or value for your specific needs.
  • Limited View: You have no way of knowing if a competitor offers superior cover for the same price, or the same cover for less.
  • No Extra Savings: You won't get a cheaper price by going direct. The price is the same, or sometimes higher, than through a broker.

The Power of an Independent PMI Broker

An independent, whole-of-market broker works for you, not the insurance company. A specialist broker like WeCovr provides several key advantages, all at no cost to you (they are paid a commission by the insurer you choose).

  1. Impartial Advice: As they are FCA-authorised, they must recommend a policy based on your needs, not on who pays the highest commission.
  2. Market Access: They compare policies and prices from across the market, including deals you may not find on your own.
  3. Expert Guidance: They can demystify the jargon around underwriting, hospital lists, and excess levels, helping you make informed choices.

Key Levers to Adjust for Best Value

When comparing policies with your broker, these are the five key elements you will discuss to tailor the premium:

1. Your Hospital List Insurers group UK private hospitals into tiers. A policy that gives you access to expensive hospitals in Central London will cost far more than one limited to your local private facilities. Be realistic about where you would want to be treated.

2. Your Excess An excess is the amount you agree to pay towards the cost of a claim. It's payable once per policy year, per person. Increasing your excess from £0 or £100 to £250 or £500 can create substantial premium savings.

Example: Impact of Excess on a Monthly Premium

Excess AmountEstimated Monthly PremiumAnnual Saving vs. £0 Excess
£0£85£0
£250£74£132
£500£65£240
£1,000£55£360

Note: Figures are illustrative for a 40-year-old. Actual savings will vary.

3. Out-patient Cover Limit As shown earlier, this is a major cost driver. Ask yourself: do you need unlimited out-patient cover? Often, a limit of £1,000 is more than enough to cover the consultations and diagnostics for a typical claim, and it costs much less than a fully comprehensive option.

4. The '6-Week Wait' Option This is a clever compromise. You agree that for in-patient treatment, if the NHS can provide it within six weeks of when it is recommended, you will use the NHS. If the NHS waiting list is longer than six weeks (which, for many procedures, it is), your private cover kicks in immediately. This can reduce your premium by 20-25%.

5. Underwriting Type This determines how the insurer treats your past medical history.

Underwriting TypeHow it WorksBest For
Moratorium (Mori)No initial health questionnaire. The insurer automatically excludes conditions you've had symptoms or treatment for in the last 5 years. If you then go 2 full years on the policy without any trouble from that condition, it may become eligible for cover.People who are generally healthy and want a quick and simple application. It's the most common type in the UK.
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)You complete a detailed health questionnaire. The insurer assesses your history and lists specific, permanent exclusions on your policy from day one.People who want absolute clarity on what is and isn't covered from the start, or who have historical conditions from over 5 years ago that they want to be sure are covered.
Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME)Used when switching insurers. Your new provider agrees to carry over the same exclusions you had on your old policy, ensuring no loss of cover for conditions you've developed while insured.Anyone with an existing PMI policy who wants to shop around for a better price without losing their current underwriting terms.

Choosing the right underwriting is crucial. A broker's expertise is invaluable here to ensure you don't inadvertently lose cover or choose a more expensive option than you need.

Strategy 2: Actively Manage and 'Negotiate' Your Premium

Your PMI premium is not set in stone. While you can't haggle in the traditional sense, you can take active steps each year to ensure you're not paying the "loyalty tax" – the ever-increasing price of staying with the same provider without question.

Never, Ever Auto-Renew

Your renewal price will almost always increase each year due to:

  • Your Age: You move into the next age bracket, which carries a higher risk profile.
  • Medical Inflation: The cost of new drugs, technologies, and hospital fees rises faster than general inflation, typically by 8-10% per year.
  • Your Claims: If you've made a claim, your No Claims Discount may be affected.

Always review your cover 3-4 weeks before your renewal date.

Your Annual Review Checklist

At renewal, work with your broker to ask these questions:

  • Can I increase my excess? Your financial situation may have changed, and you might be comfortable paying a higher excess in return for a lower monthly premium.
  • Can I downgrade my hospital list? Do you still need that expensive London hospital option if you live in Leeds?
  • Can I reduce my out-patient limit? If you haven't used your full out-patient limit, could you reduce it?
  • Is a 6-week wait option now suitable for me?
  • What are other insurers offering? This is the most powerful question. A broker like WeCovr can perform a full market review to see if a competitor can offer the same or better cover for less. Switching insurers (using CPME underwriting) is often the most effective way to combat a steep renewal increase.

Embrace Healthy Living Incentives

Some insurers actively reward you for being healthy. Providers like Vitality have built their entire model around this, offering discounts on your premium and other rewards (like cinema tickets or coffee) for tracking your physical activity.

This aligns perfectly with our ethos at WeCovr. That's why all our health and life insurance clients receive complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. By making it easier to manage your diet and health, you not only improve your wellbeing but can also directly benefit from lower insurance costs with certain providers.

Strategy 3: Leverage Group Cover for Significant Savings

For many, the most cost-effective way to get private health cover is through an employer. If you run a business, even a very small one, this is an option you cannot afford to ignore.

For Employees: Your Company Scheme

If your employer offers a group health insurance scheme, it is almost always your best bet.

  • Lower Cost: The premium is subsidised or fully paid by your employer.
  • Better Terms: Group schemes often have more generous underwriting, especially Medical History Disregarded (MHD). This is the gold standard of underwriting, where the insurer agrees to cover all eligible conditions, regardless of your prior medical history (except for chronic conditions). This is rarely available on individual policies.
  • Easy to Join: You are typically just added to the policy without complex forms.

Check if you can add your partner or children to the scheme; even if you have to contribute to their cover, it's often cheaper than a separate individual policy.

For Business Owners: The Small Group Advantage

Many company directors and self-employed people assume they need an individual policy. However, if you run your own limited company, even with just one other employee (which could be your spouse!), you can set up a small group scheme.

Why is a 2-person group scheme better than two individual policies?

  • Cost-Effective: Insurers see it as a more stable, lower-risk proposition, often resulting in a lower combined premium.
  • Better Underwriting: Some insurers offer MHD underwriting for schemes with as few as 5 or 10 employees, but even a 2-person scheme can often access better terms than an individual policy.
  • Business Expense: The premiums are a legitimate, tax-deductible business expense.

A specialist PMI broker like WeCovr can quickly assess whether an individual or small group policy is the right route for you.

FeatureIndividual PMIGroup PMI (Company Scheme)
CostPaid for by you personally, post-tax.Paid by the business, pre-tax. Often cheaper per person.
UnderwritingUsually Moratorium or FMU. Pre-existing conditions are excluded.Often Medical History Disregarded (MHD) for larger groups. Even small groups can get better terms.
AdministrationYou manage the policy and renewal yourself.The company (or their broker) manages the scheme.
Best ForIndividuals, sole traders without staff, or those whose employer doesn't offer a scheme.Employees, company directors, and businesses of any size (from 2+ employees).

The demand for private medical insurance is set to continue growing in 2025. With the NHS elective care waiting list in England remaining stubbornly high – affecting over 6.29 million people across 7.54 million treatment pathways as of Spring 2024, according to NHS England data – individuals and businesses are increasingly viewing PMI as an essential tool for health security and business continuity.

This high demand, coupled with persistent medical inflation, means premiums are likely to continue their upward trend. This makes the strategies outlined in this article more critical than ever.

Beyond insurance, taking proactive steps for your health is the ultimate long-term strategy. Insurers favour healthy applicants, and a healthy lifestyle reduces your chances of needing to claim in the first place.

  • Balanced Diet: Use tools like WeCovr's CalorieHero app to understand your nutritional intake.
  • Regular Activity: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week, as recommended by the NHS.
  • Prioritise Sleep: Good quality sleep is foundational to physical and mental resilience.
  • Manage Stress: Find healthy coping mechanisms, and don't be afraid to use the mental health support services included in many PMI policies.

By combining a savvy approach to buying insurance with a proactive approach to your own health, you create a powerful formula for wellbeing and financial security. Furthermore, when you arrange your PMI policy through WeCovr, you may also be eligible for discounts on other essential cover, such as life insurance or income protection, creating even greater value.

Can I get private health insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?

Yes, you can still get a policy, but it's crucial to understand that standard UK private medical insurance is designed for new, acute conditions that arise after you join. Your pre-existing condition, and any related health issues, will be excluded from cover. For example, if you have a history of knee pain, the policy would not cover consultations, scans, or surgery related to that knee.

Is it cheaper to buy PMI directly from an insurer?

No, this is a common misconception. The price you pay is typically the same whether you go direct or use an independent broker like WeCovr. In fact, brokers can sometimes access preferential rates that aren't available to the public. The key benefit of a broker is that you receive free, impartial advice comparing the whole market to find the best value, something you do not get by going direct to a single insurer.

How much does private medical insurance cost in the UK?

The cost of private health cover varies significantly based on personal factors. Key influences include your age, your location (premiums are higher in London), your smoking status, and the level of cover you choose. A basic policy for a healthy person in their 20s or 30s could start from around £30-£40 per month, while a comprehensive policy for someone in their 50s or 60s could be £150 per month or more. The best way to get an accurate figure is to get a tailored quote.

What is a '6-week wait' option and does it save money?

A '6-week wait' option is a feature you can add to your policy to reduce your premium, often by 20-25%. With this option, when you need in-patient treatment, you will use the NHS if they can treat you within six weeks. If the NHS waiting list for your procedure is longer than six weeks, your private medical insurance policy will kick in, and you can proceed with private treatment immediately. Given current NHS waiting times, this is often a very effective way to save money without significantly compromising your access to prompt care.

Ready to find the right private health insurance without overpaying? Let our FCA-authorised experts at WeCovr do the hard work for you. We compare leading UK providers to find a policy that fits your needs and your budget.

Get your free, no-obligation quote today and see how much you could save.

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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!

There is no need to wait until the renewal of your current policy.
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.

By tapping the button below, you can book a free call with them in less than 30 seconds right now:

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Any questions?

Life Insurance and Private Medical Insurance cover you for two different purposes, so you will need to assess your needs but may wish to consider holding the two policies. Private Medical Insurance covers you if you get sick or need treatment and want or need to go privately. Life Insurance covers you in the case of death, giving a payout to family/those left behind.

Health insurance covers conditions that develop after your policy starts. Pre-existing conditions are typically not covered, and insurers may exclude related issues. Some policies may cover symptoms of pre-existing conditions under specific circumstances. Always review your policy's exclusions. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions may be available if you currently hold a medical insurance policy or are transitioning from a company scheme. However, if you have never had medical insurance before or if your policy is not active at the moment, pre-existing conditions will not be covered. This limitation exists because health insurance is primarily intended to protect against unexpected health issues. To simplify, it's akin to getting into a car accident and then trying to obtain insurance coverage afterward to repair the vehicle — insurance companies typically do not cover such claims. Nevertheless, there is an option to gain coverage for pre-existing conditions after a two-year waiting period, subject to specific rules and conditions.

If you prefer to get straight into treatment in the private sector without the long waiting times with the NHS, or you just prefer the private sector anyway, without having to pay it all yourself, then you would need to have Private Medical Insurance to cover it. Sometimes treatments and drugs that are not covered by the NHS can be covered by Private Medical Insurance.

It's free to use WeCovr to find health insurance - we never charge you for quotes. Health or private medical insurance is an investment that can pay for itself the first time you might need medical treatment.

It depends on your personal choice and preferences. If you are prepared to limit yourself to NHS-covered treatments only and can or want to endure long waiting times to get into treatment, then yes, NHS might work for you. Your cover there is free. If you don't want to be exposed to long waiting times or if your treatment is not covered by the NHS, then you would benefit from Private Medical Insurance.

Private Medical Insurance is an important financial product that insurance companies take a lot of care and diligence so speaking to real human beings ensures that they understand your requirements fully so that you can get the right cover.

All of our partners are carefully vetted and authorised by the FCA, which means they are held to the highest standards that the FCA expects from them and treat all customers fairly!

Our revenue comes from commissions paid by the insurance providers when a policy is taken out through us. Essentially, when you choose to secure a policy from one of the providers we work with, they compensate us for facilitating the transaction. It's important to note that this commission does not impact the premium you pay. We remain committed to providing transparent and unbiased quotes to help you find the best insurance options tailored to your needs.

The cost of private health insurance depends on several factors, including your age, location, smoking status, and the type of policy you choose. Your health insurance policy is tailored to your needs, and the cost can vary based on the level of cover you require, such as the amount of excess and specific treatment allowances.

Private health insurance covers you for conditions that arise after your policy begins. You pay a monthly fee and can make claims for private healthcare covered by your policy. One of the main benefits of private healthcare is quicker access to treatment compared to the NHS, along with access to new drugs or specialist treatments.

Most health insurance covers private hospital stays and may include outpatient treatments like scans, tests, or appointments. Policies vary in coverage, and exclusions often include emergency treatment, maternity care, cosmetic surgery, and ongoing conditions present before the policy started.

Unfortunately, you cannot pay extra to have a pre-existing condition covered as part of your health insurance policy. However, you have access to support from a nurse or digital GP. If you have questions about what is covered under your policy, please contact us for clarification.

Your health insurance policy begins once you've selected your policy and set up your payment. After setup, you'll receive your cover documents detailing what is and isn't covered. It's important to review these details carefully as policies differ.

An excess is the amount you contribute towards treatment when you make a claim. Choosing a higher excess can reduce your policy's monthly cost but requires a larger contribution when claiming. WeCovr's experts will offer you flexible excess options depending on your preferences.

To reduce health insurance costs, consider choosing a higher excess, which lowers the monthly premium. However, ensure the plan still meets your needs. Other factors affecting cost include lifestyle choices like smoking and potential savings for couples or family plans.

There is no age limit for taking out health insurance, but age influences the policy's cost. The benefits of health insurance are consistent regardless of age. If you're considering health insurance, you can get a quote from WeCovr's experts regardless of your age.

Let WeCovr's experts do the legwork for you and compare health insurance plans at no cost to you to find the best fit for your needs. Consider individual, couple, or family plans and review coverage details thoroughly before choosing. WeCovr provides transparent information on coverage options for easy comparison.

Yes, you can add your partner (if you live at the same address) or dependents to your policy at any time. The cost of couple's or family health insurance depends on factors like location, age, health, and chosen excess. Contact WeCovr or your insurer for assistance in adding someone to your policy.

While WeCovr's private health insurance plans are tailored for the UK, we offer global health insurance options for those living or working abroad. For holiday coverage, travel insurance is recommended.

Comprehensive cover provides extensive benefits, including full outpatient services such as consultations, diagnostic tests, physiotherapy, and mental health therapies. Our team at WeCovr can assist in understanding the various coverage levels available.

Private health insurance typically does not cover dental treatment. However, WeCovr's experts can guide you to dental insurance policies offered by our partner insurers. Reach out to us to explore these options.

Yes, private health insurance covers cancer treatment from diagnosis through treatment. At WeCovr, we can help you navigate the cancer cover options that suit your needs.

At WeCovr, you have flexibility in adjusting your cover. Speak to our experts within 21 days of receiving your paperwork or at policy renewal to make changes.

Accessing a private GP appointment is fast and convenient with WeCovr's services, available through your digital platform provided under your chosen insurance plan.

Yes, family members on the same policy can potentially have different levels of cover tailored to their individual needs.

WeCovr works with insurers offering a range of cover levels to accommodate different budgets and needs. Our experts can discuss these options with you.

Discovering healthcare facilities and specialists is easy with WeCovr's resources. Contact us for personalised assistance by tapping one of the buttons above or below and filling in a few details for personalised assistance.

Fee-assured consultants provides transparency and no hidden costs for clients.

WeCovr prioritises mental health support with comprehensive coverage and access to specialist advice and services.

Children up to a certain age can be included in your policy, and we offer discounts for family coverage.

Like most health insurance plans, premiums may increase annually due to factors such as age and medical cost inflation.

The cost of health insurance varies based on several factors. Connect with our experts by tapping a button below and get your own personalised quote.

Private health insurance offers quicker access to consultations, treatments, and personalised care compared to the NHS.

Yes, WeCovr's experts can guide you which health insurance plans include coverage for physiotherapy treatments.

Immediate access to certain services like our digital GP app is available upon enrolment.

You can obtain a range of suitable quotes easily by tapping one of the buttons above or below and filling in a few details for personalised assistance.

Health insurance covers new conditions that arise after the policy starts. Pre-existing conditions and certain exclusions may apply.

WeCovr's experts help you arrange health insurance that simplifies access to private healthcare services, including consultations and treatments.

Outpatient cover includes consultations, physiotherapy, and mental health therapies outside hospital admissions.

Yes, you can use your health insurance cover immediately. You have access to a nurse through your helpline and can consult with a GP using the digital GP app. If you need to make a claim right away, we may require a medical report from your GP. Health insurance is designed to cover new conditions that arise after the policy has started.

No, health insurance does not cover A&E (Accident and Emergency) visits. Private hospitals do not typically have the facilities for handling A&E cases. In case of an emergency, please dial 999 or use the NHS emergency services. However, if you require follow-up treatment after an emergency situation, your private medical insurance may be able to assist.

Yes, many insurers offer rewards in leisure, wellbeing, and health. Speak to WeCovr's experts or visit your insurer's website for more details on member rewards.

You may continue your cover or get another own personal policy. If you continue your cover, existing or ongoing medical conditions might be covered depending on the level of cover you choose. Contact our friendly experts to discuss your options and find the right option for you.

You can tap one of the buttons above or below and fill in a quick form to arrange a call with us to discuss your options.

Your cover may be similar but not identical. We will help you find the right level of cover that suits your needs, and ongoing medical conditions may be covered. Contact our friendly advisers to explore all available options.

No, the price won't be the same as before since employers often contribute to the cost of employee cover. Additionally, different cover levels and medical histories may affect the price. Contact WeCovr's experts for detailed information.

You have a few weeks or months from leaving your job to decide to continue with your insurer or change to another one. Your policy may start the day after you left your work policy, and our experts can guide you through other available options.

After leaving your job, contact WeCovr's experts with your leave date to discuss available options.

Yes, ongoing treatment may be covered on your new personal policy, although it could affect the price. Contact our experts for personalised advice on your options.

Details on paying excess fees will be provided when you contact your insurer for treatment authorisation.

No, there is no excess fee for utilising these services.

Excess adjustments can be made at specific intervals during your policy term.

No claims discounts can impact renewal costs based on claims history.

Pre-existing conditions typically aren't covered but can be discussed with our healthcare specialists.

This involves health-related questions before policy enrolment to determine coverage.

Moratorium underwriting simplifies enrolment but may require health disclosures during claims.

Claims may require additional information if under moratorium underwriting.

Pre-existing conditions refer to medical issues existing before policy inception. A pre-existing condition is anything you've previously had medical treatment for, such as diabetes, heart disease, or asthma. Most insurance providers consider any condition you've had symptoms or treatment for in the past five years as pre-existing. Our experts at WeCovr can help you understand how pre-existing conditions affect your policy options.

While some insurance providers automatically renew your private healthcare cover, it's beneficial to compare policies when yours is about to end. This ensures you're still getting the best deal for the coverage you need. Our experts at WeCovr can assist you in finding the right policy for you.

Typically, you must be over 18 to take out your own policy, but minors can usually be included in a family policy. There may also be an upper age limit for private health insurance, and premiums typically increase with age. Our experts at WeCovr can provide guidance on age-related policy aspects.

Paying for health insurance annually often results in savings compared to monthly payments. However, this depends on your insurance provider. For help determining the most cost-effective option, consider consulting our experts at WeCovr.

If your employer offers private health insurance as part of your benefits package, you likely don't need additional cover. However, there may be limits on the cover you receive, and it may not extend to your entire family. Remember, any insurance you get through work only covers you while you're employed there.

If you don't have pre-existing conditions, a medical exam is usually not required. You'll just need to complete a medical history form and select your level of cover. However, if you're older, have a pre-existing condition, or lead an unhealthy lifestyle, a medical exam may be necessary. Our experts at WeCovr can clarify the requirements of different policies.

Many private health insurance providers now offer GP services, either digitally or face-to-face. This means you can often get a private GP appointment quickly, sometimes even on the same day. Our experts at WeCovr can help you find policies that offer GP services.

With private health insurance, you can often secure a GP appointment much quicker than with traditional methods, sometimes even on the same day. Our experts at WeCovr can help you find policies that offer quick GP appointment services.

Inpatient care refers to any treatment requiring a stay in a hospital or clinic for at least one night. Outpatient care refers to treatments or tests that don't require hospital admission, such as minor diagnostic tests or physiotherapy sessions. Our experts at WeCovr can help you understand the different types of care and find a policy that suits your needs.

Private health insurance covers your medical treatment if you fall ill, while critical illness cover provides additional financial help if you develop one of the critical illnesses listed in the policy, such as covering loss of income if you're unable to work. For assistance in understanding the differences and finding the right coverage, consult our experts at WeCovr.

Health insurance policies are designed for cover in the UK. For cover abroad, consider travel insurance for short trips or international health insurance for longer stays or if you have a holiday home overseas. Our experts at WeCovr can guide you in finding the appropriate coverage for your travel needs.

If your employer provides health insurance, it's considered a 'benefit in kind' and is not tax deductible. Your employer should calculate the tax you owe for your health insurance premiums and deduct it from your pay. There are some exceptions for small companies. For more information on tax implications, consider reaching out to our experts at WeCovr.

When you purchase a policy, you choose how much excess you pay, which is your contribution to the cost of treatment if you make a claim. The higher your excess, the lower your premium is likely to be. Our experts at WeCovr can help you understand how excess works and choose the right level for you.

These are two methods of underwriting a health insurance policy, relating to how insurance providers consider your pre-existing medical conditions when you take out cover. For help understanding the differences and choosing the right option for you, consult our experts at WeCovr.

Some private health insurance providers offer a no-claims discount, similar to car insurance. Every year you don't make a claim gives you an extra year of no-claims discount, potentially reducing your premium when you renew. Our experts at WeCovr can help you find policies that offer no-claims discounts.

To find the best health insurance for you, compare various policies to find one that offers the features you need at a price you can afford. Consider your personal circumstances and what you want from your policy. Our experts at WeCovr can assist you in evaluating your options and selecting the right coverage for you.

If you need treatment, a GP referral is not always necessary. However, this depends on how you plan to pay for your treatment. Most hospitals will allow you to book appointments with a consultant without a GP referral if you are paying out-of-pocket. If you have private medical insurance, you'll need to check the terms of your policy to see whether your insurer requires you to consult with a GP first (most insurers do). Some policies offer a direct booking system without a referral for certain conditions, such as counseling for mental health issues.

Yes, you can obtain financing for a loan to cover the cost of surgery. Many private healthcare companies have partnerships with finance companies to allow you to spread the cost of private treatment over time. You could also explore getting an ordinary loan from your bank if this option proves to be more cost-effective for you.

WeCovr has conducted extensive research into the cost of private health insurance in the UK. Click the link to find out more detailed information.

Yes, you can continue to receive treatment through the NHS even if you have private health insurance and have received private treatment in the past. This could be for rehabilitation after private surgery or for treatment that is not covered by your health insurance policy. For example, some cosmetic surgeries may be available through the NHS but are generally not covered by private medical insurance.

This is a difficult question to answer definitively. There are certain services that cannot be obtained privately, such as emergency treatment at an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. Many NHS consultants also practice privately, so you could potentially see the same consultant regardless of whether you choose private or public healthcare. However, private healthcare typically offers shorter waiting times, guaranteed private rooms, and more relaxed visiting hours. Additionally, you may have access to treatments and drugs that are not routinely available through the NHS.

Yes, you can self-refer to a private specialist without the need for a GP referral. However, the British Medical Association believes that in most cases, it is best practice to start with your GP, as they are familiar with your medical history.

Yes, if you have a health concern and pay for private tests and scans but cannot afford to have private surgery, you should be able to have your test results transferred to an NHS provider for treatment.

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