Health insurance guides
Clear information about enquiries, insurance terminology and who does what. health-quote.co.uk is an FCA introducer, not a broker. These guides do not provide prices, recommendations or advice.
About enquiries
What happens after a health insurance enquiry?
Sending an enquiry is an introduction to a broker. It does not buy a policy or put insurance cover in place.
Read guideHealth insurance policy terms explained
Cover, exclusions, limits and excess are policy terms. Their exact meaning and operation depend on the insurer’s documents.
Read guideIntroducer, broker and insurer: the difference
health-quote.co.uk introduces enquiries. A broker handles the insurance discussion; an insurer provides the policy.
Read guideHealth insurance basics
What is private medical insurance?
Private medical insurance (PMI) is a policy that can pay towards eligible private treatment for acute conditions, subject to its terms.
Read guideWhat is health insurance in the UK?
In the UK, 'health insurance' usually refers to private medical insurance, which can fund eligible private treatment alongside NHS care.
Read guideHow does private health insurance work in the UK?
A typical private health insurance claim starts with a GP referral, followed by authorisation from the insurer before treatment.
Read guidePrivate health insurance vs private medical insurance
'Private health insurance' and 'private medical insurance' are generally used to mean the same type of policy in the UK.
Read guideWhat does health insurance usually cover?
Health insurance cover varies by policy. Common areas include in-patient and day-patient treatment, with out-patient cover often optional.
Read guideWhat health insurance does not usually cover
Policies list exclusions. Common examples include chronic conditions, pre-existing conditions and emergency care, but terms vary.
Read guideAcute and chronic conditions explained
Insurers usually distinguish acute conditions, which may be covered, from chronic conditions, which are often excluded.
Read guideHealth insurance glossary: common terms
A plain-English glossary of terms found in UK health insurance documents, from excess to underwriting.
Read guideReading a health insurance policy summary
Insurers provide documents that describe the cover. Knowing where to look makes them easier to read.
Read guideWho regulates health insurance in the UK?
Insurers and intermediaries selling health insurance in the UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with insurers also supervised by the PRA.
Read guideIs health insurance compulsory in the UK?
Private health insurance is not compulsory in the UK. NHS care is available to eligible residents whether or not they hold a policy.
Read guideWhat happens when you make a health insurance claim?
Most claims follow a similar route: referral, contacting the insurer, authorisation, treatment and settlement of bills.
Read guideHealth insurance benefit limits explained
Benefit limits cap what a policy pays, either overall, per condition or for particular types of treatment.
Read guideHealth insurance cooling-off period
FCA rules generally give consumers a cancellation period after buying a general insurance policy such as health insurance.
Read guideHow do people get private medical insurance?
Private medical insurance can be bought directly from an insurer, through a broker or provided by an employer.
Read guideCover options explained
In-patient and day-patient cover explained
In-patient and day-patient treatment form the core of many private medical insurance policies.
Read guideOut-patient cover explained
Out-patient cover can pay for consultations, tests and scans that do not need hospital admission.
Read guideCancer cover in health insurance explained
Cancer cover levels vary. Some policies offer extensive cover; others limit treatments, drugs or time periods.
Read guideMental health cover in private health insurance
Mental health cover is often optional, and may be limited to out-patient sessions or a number of in-patient days.
Read guideTherapies cover: physiotherapy and more
Therapies cover can include physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic treatment, often with session or monetary limits.
Read guideThe six-week option explained
The six-week option generally means private treatment is funded only if the NHS cannot provide it within six weeks.
Read guideGuided consultant and hospital options explained
With a guided option, the insurer provides a shortlist of specialists or hospitals for you to choose from.
Read guideHealth insurance hospital lists explained
A hospital list sets out the private hospitals and units where treatment is covered under a policy.
Read guideHealth insurance excess explained
An excess is the part of a claim you pay yourself. How it applies differs between policies.
Read guideCo-payment in health insurance
A co-payment means you pay a percentage of a claim, sometimes up to a maximum amount.
Read guideComprehensive health insurance explained
'Comprehensive' usually describes policies with broader cover options, but the word has no single fixed definition.
Read guideBasic or core health insurance explained
Basic or core cover usually focuses on in-patient and day-patient treatment, with fewer optional extras.
Read guideDental and optical cover options
Dental and optical benefits are often optional add-ons to health insurance or provided by separate plans.
Read guideDigital and virtual GP services with health insurance
Many health insurance policies include access to a remote GP service by phone or video.
Read guideHealth insurance optional extras explained
Optional extras let policies be tailored; common examples include out-patient, therapies, mental health, dental and travel cover.
Read guideUnderwriting and medical history
Moratorium underwriting explained
Under moratorium underwriting, recent conditions are usually excluded at first but may become eligible after a symptom-free period.
Read guideFull medical underwriting explained
With full medical underwriting, you disclose your medical history at the start and the insurer confirms any exclusions upfront.
Read guideContinued personal medical exclusions (CPME)
CPME is a switching option where a new insurer carries over the exclusions from your existing policy.
Read guidePre-existing conditions and health insurance
Pre-existing conditions are not usually covered by private medical insurance, though how they are treated depends on underwriting.
Read guideHealth insurance and diabetes
Diabetes is usually treated as a chronic or pre-existing condition, which affects what a policy covers.
Read guideHealth insurance for smokers
Insurers ask about smoking because it is one of the factors they consider. Our form asks about smoking status for this reason.
Read guideTelling the insurer about your health
Consumers must take reasonable care to answer an insurer's questions accurately, under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012.
Read guideHow insurers check medical history at claim
At claim stage, insurers may ask for GP or specialist reports to check eligibility.
Read guideHealth insurance waiting periods
Some benefits only apply after a waiting period from the start of the policy.
Read guideHealth insurance after a cancer diagnosis
A previous cancer diagnosis is usually treated as a pre-existing condition, which affects cover for that condition.
Read guideHealth insurance with a history of mental health conditions
Past mental health conditions may be excluded under underwriting rules, as with other medical history.
Read guideHealth insurance and high blood pressure
High blood pressure may be considered pre-existing and can affect cover for related conditions.
Read guideCover for different people
Family health insurance explained
Family health insurance usually covers two adults and their children under one policy, though structures vary.
Read guideHealth insurance for couples
A joint policy can cover two adults, with each person's medical history considered individually.
Read guidePrivate health insurance for children
Children are often added to a parent's policy rather than having a standalone policy.
Read guideHealth insurance for over 50s
Age is one factor insurers consider. Many policies are available to people over 50, subject to the insurer's terms.
Read guideHealth insurance for over 60s
People over 60 can generally apply for private medical insurance; terms depend on the insurer.
Read guideHealth insurance for over 70s
Some insurers accept new applicants over 70, while others set lower maximum entry ages.
Read guideHealth insurance after retirement
Retirement can mean leaving an employer scheme. Some schemes offer continuation options when you leave.
Read guideHealth insurance for the self-employed
Self-employed people buy personal policies rather than joining employer schemes.
Read guideHealth insurance for contractors and freelancers
Contractors may hold personal policies or policies through a limited company.
Read guideHealth insurance and pregnancy
Normal pregnancy and childbirth are commonly excluded from private medical insurance, though complications may be covered on some policies.
Read guideHealth insurance for students in the UK
International students usually pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access; private cover is separate.
Read guideHealth insurance for people moving to the UK
People moving to the UK may need to check NHS eligibility and the Immigration Health Surcharge before considering private cover.
Read guideHealth insurance for teachers
Teachers usually buy personal policies, as employer schemes are less common in schools.
Read guideHealth insurance for NHS staff
NHS employees can buy personal private medical insurance like anyone else.
Read guideHealth insurance for individuals
An individual policy covers one person, with options chosen to suit that person.
Read guideHealth insurance and sports injuries
Sports injuries may be covered as acute conditions, but some policies exclude certain sports or professional sport.
Read guideHealth insurance in London
Hospital lists matter in London, as some central London hospitals are only on certain lists.
Read guideHealth insurance in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Private medical insurance is available across the UK; hospital lists and NHS arrangements differ by nation.
Read guideTreatments and diagnostics
Private MRI scans and health insurance
MRI scans may be covered as diagnostic tests under out-patient or diagnostic benefits, subject to referral.
Read guidePrivate hip replacement and health insurance
A hip replacement may be covered as in-patient treatment if the condition is eligible and not excluded.
Read guidePrivate knee replacement and health insurance
Knee surgery may be covered as eligible in-patient treatment, subject to underwriting and policy terms.
Read guidePrivate cataract surgery and health insurance
Cataract surgery is often a day-patient procedure that may be covered if eligible and not excluded.
Read guidePrivate hernia surgery and health insurance
Hernia repair may be covered as day-patient or in-patient treatment under eligible policies.
Read guidePrivate cancer treatment and health insurance
Private cancer treatment under a policy depends on the cancer cover chosen and its limits.
Read guidePrivate diagnostic tests and health insurance
Diagnosis is a key area where out-patient and diagnostic benefits matter.
Read guidePrivate GP appointments and health insurance
Face-to-face private GP visits are not always covered; many policies instead offer a digital GP.
Read guideADHD assessments and health insurance
Cover for ADHD assessments varies and is often limited or excluded, especially for children or developmental conditions.
Read guideMenopause and health insurance
Menopause is a natural process and ongoing management may not be covered, though some insurers offer support services.
Read guidePhysiotherapy and health insurance
Physiotherapy is commonly covered under therapies benefits with limits.
Read guidePrivate psychiatric treatment and health insurance
Psychiatric treatment may be covered under mental health benefits as out-patient, day-patient or in-patient care.
Read guideHeart treatment and health insurance
Cardiac tests and treatment may be covered if eligible, subject to underwriting and policy limits.
Read guideGynaecology and health insurance
Gynaecological consultations, tests and procedures may be covered as acute treatment.
Read guideDermatology and health insurance
Skin conditions may be covered if acute, while chronic conditions such as eczema may be excluded.
Read guideBusiness, employment and tax
Business health insurance explained
Business health insurance is a policy arranged by an employer to cover employees, sometimes with their families.
Read guideHealth insurance for small businesses
Small businesses can arrange group health insurance; minimum numbers of members vary between insurers.
Read guideHow company health insurance works
With company cover, the employer holds the policy and employees are members.
Read guideIs private medical insurance a taxable benefit?
HMRC generally treats employer-paid private medical insurance as a benefit in kind.
Read guideIs health insurance tax-deductible for the self-employed?
Whether a health insurance premium is deductible depends on HMRC rules and how your business is structured.
Read guideInsurance Premium Tax and health insurance
Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) applies to most general insurance premiums in the UK, including private medical insurance.
Read guideGroup health insurance underwriting options
Group schemes may use moratorium, full medical underwriting or 'medical history disregarded' terms.
Read guideHealth insurance when leaving a job
Leaving an employer usually ends company health insurance; some schemes offer an individual continuation option.
Read guideComparing, switching and renewing
Comparing health insurance: what to look at
When comparing health insurance, looking at the cover details is more useful than comparing names alone.
Read guideWhat affects a health insurance quote?
Insurers consider several factors when quoting. We do not give prices, but these factors are commonly used.
Read guideSwitching health insurance providers
Switching may affect how existing conditions are treated, so the underwriting on the new policy matters.
Read guideHealth insurance renewal explained
Policies are usually annual. At renewal the insurer sets terms for the next year.
Read guideNo-claims discount in health insurance
Some insurers use a no-claims discount that can change with the claims you make.
Read guideUsing a health insurance broker
A broker can discuss requirements and explain quotations from the insurers they work with.
Read guideCancelling a health insurance policy
Policies can usually be cancelled, with refund rules set out in the documents.
Read guideMaking a complaint about health insurance
Complaints go first to the firm involved; the Financial Ombudsman Service may then consider unresolved complaints.
Read guideHealth cash plans vs private medical insurance
Health cash plans pay set amounts towards everyday costs; private medical insurance funds eligible treatment.
Read guideNHS and private healthcare
NHS and private healthcare: the differences
The NHS provides care free at the point of use; private healthcare is paid for directly or via insurance.
Read guideNHS waiting times and private healthcare
NHS England publishes referral-to-treatment waiting time statistics. Some people look at private options alongside NHS care.
Read guidePrivate healthcare explained
Private healthcare is medical care delivered outside NHS funding, paid for by the patient or an insurer.
Read guideSelf-pay treatment vs health insurance
Self-pay means paying a hospital directly for treatment; insurance may pay for eligible treatment instead.
Read guidePrivate hospitals in the UK
Private hospitals are run by independent providers. Insurance hospital lists decide which ones a policy covers.
Read guideNHS private patient units explained
Some NHS hospitals have private patient units that may be covered by insurance.
Read guideUsing the NHS while holding health insurance
Holding private cover does not stop you using the NHS. Some policies include a cash benefit for NHS in-patient stays.
Read guideChoosing a specialist for private treatment
Insurers may restrict which specialists you can see or require that fees fall within their limits.
Read guide