Choose your policy
Decide the level of cover you want and whether the policy is just for you or also covers family members. Choose your excess and add-ons.
Private health insurance
Get healthcare faster with affordable health insurance plans.
What is health insurance?
Health insurance helps cover the cost of private medical care, so you can access treatment more quickly and choose when and where you’re treated.
You can still use NHS services, but rely on your health insurance for situations where speed, choice or specialist treatment makes a difference. For example, it could get you faster access to surgery and scans, or help you access mental health support.
Most policies cover inpatient and day-patient treatment (such as surgery and hospital stays). You can choose to add outpatient cover, which includes tests, consultations and follow-ups.
Like all insurance, it won’t cover everything. Common exclusions include chronic conditions, emergency care, cosmetic procedures and treatments for pre-existing conditions.
People choose health insurance because it can offer:
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Quicker care
Faster specialist appointments and shorter waiting times.
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24/7 GP access
Virtual appointments and, in some cases, face-to-face support whenever you need it.
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Wider treatment options
Cover for scans, drugs or treatments not always available on the NHS.
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Private facilities
Access to private hospitals, clinics and, in some cases, a private room.
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More control
Greater control over where and when you’re treated.
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Tailored cover
Add options such as cancer care, mental health support or physiotherapy.
How does private health insurance work?
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Apply for cover
Complete an application form. You will need to answer questions about your medical history and any existing conditions.
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Underwriting
The insurer reviews your information. They may ask extra medical questions or request a GP report.
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Policy starts
Once approved, you receive your policy documents showing what is covered, any exclusions, your excess and your premium.
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Pay your premiums
You pay a regular amount, normally monthly. Missing payments could mean your cover stops and future claims are not paid.
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Treatment approved
If you're unwell, contact the insurer. They'll confirm if the condition is covered and give you pre-authorisation to use a private clinic.
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Settle treatment bills
After your treatment, the insurer normally pays your healthcare provider directly, while you pay any agreed excess or co-payment.
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Renew/change policy
Your insurer will tell you the new premium for the next year. You can accept, shop around for a new policy, or cancel.
What does private health insurance cover?
Cover varies by insurer and by the level of policy you choose, but most health insurance plans include a mix of inpatient, day-patient and optional outpatient benefits.
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Generally covered
Inpatient treatment - covers surgery or treatment that requires an overnight stay in hospital e.g. knee surgery requiring recovery in a private hospital
Day-patient treatment - covers procedures where you need a hospital bed but can go home the same day. e.g. minor operations such as hernia repair
Outpatient treatment (if included) - covers consultations, diagnostic tests and scans before or after a referral. e.g. MRI after seeing a consultant
Cancer treatment - many policies include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and follow-up consultations (levels of cover vary, so check your policy wording)
Physiotherapy and therapies (if included) - usually available after a GP or consultant referral e.g. physiotherapy sessions following an injury
Virtual GP services - many modern policies include online GP appointments to speed up access to medical advice
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Not generally covered
Pre-existing medical conditions - anything you had symptoms of before the policy started is often excluded
Chronic conditions - ongoing illnesses such as asthma or diabetes, which need long-term management.
Emergency and A&E treatment - accidents or urgent care are handled by the NHS, not private insurance.
Cosmetic or elective procedures - operations carried out for aesthetic reasons rather than medical necessity
Pregnancy and routine maternity care - standard policies don’t cover check-ups, labour or postnatal care (some offer limited complications cover)
What are the different types of health insurance?
Alongside medical diagnostics and treatment, you can tailor your private healthcare plans to include extras such as dental treatment, eye care, physiotherapy and alternative treatments like acupuncture.
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Individual cover
Get quicker access to medical care and more flexibility over when, where and how you are treated.
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Joint cover
Covers you and your partner. Can be cheaper than getting two individual policies.
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Family cover
Protects your whole family, often at a discounted rate compared to individual policies.
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Child cover
Ensures that your children can receive fast examinations and treatment if they fall ill.
What policy extras can I get with health insurance?
You can usually tailor your health insurance with optional extras to suit your needs and budget. Common add-ons include:
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Dental care
Cover can include routine check-ups, treatment and urgent dental work.
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Eye care
Typically includes eye tests, prescription glasses, and contact lenses.
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Physiotherapy
Cover for sessions to improve movement and reduce pain if you are recovering from an injury or managing a long-term condition.
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Alternative treatments
Some policies let you add treatments such as acupuncture or massage therapy to support your wellbeing.
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Mental health cover
This can include counselling, talking therapies and psychiatric treatment.
What impacts the cost of private health cover?
Private health insurance costs vary from person to person. Several factors can increase what you pay, including:
Age: Premiums usually rise as you get older because you’re more likely to need medical treatment.
Location: Living in London or another large city can mean higher costs due to more expensive private hospitals and clinics.
Cover level: A more comprehensive policy costs more than a basic one, and adding optional extras will also increase the price.
Excess: Choosing a higher excess can lower your premium, but you need to be sure you can afford it if you make a claim.
Lifestyle: For example, smoking often leads to higher premiums because it increases health risks. Cutting down on alcohol may also help reduce costs.
Smoking or vaping could make your health insurance:
9%^ more expensive
Data based on Bupa monthly price estimates for comprehensive health insurance policies for individuals in their 30s.
Your own prices could be higher or lower depending on your individual circumstances and the policy you choose.
💡 Top tip: Tell your insurer if you quit smoking. Some will discount your premiums after you've been tobacco-free for a certain period of time.
How can I get a cheaper health insurance quote?
• Shop around: Comparing quotes gives you a better chance of finding a policy that fits your budget without losing the cover you value.
• Pay a higher excess: Brings premiums down, although it makes claims less affordable.
• Pay annually: Paying once a year can be cheaper than spreading the cost monthly.
• Check employer benefits: Your work may offer benefits such as health cash plans.
• Choose the right level of cover: Fewer optional extras can help keep costs down, as long as it still works for your needs.
• Reduce outpatient cover: Limiting or removing it can lower premiums.
• Consider a six-week option: These policies use private care only if NHS treatment isn’t available within six weeks.
• Quit smoking: Insurers often charge smokers more because of the higher health risks.
Example quote for health insurance
Bupa
Treatment & Care
Great for
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24/7 GP
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Treatment
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Aftercare
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Cancer cover
But be aware that
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Initial diagnostics not included
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Medical exclusions may apply (including pre-existing conditions)
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Accident and emergency treatment not covered
This is for illustrative purposes only. If your circumstances and cover needs differ, your quote may be more or less expensive. Quote from November 2025.
Our expert says…
Around one in six UK adults are currently on an NHS hospital waiting list. Nearly half of them (44%) rated their experience as "poor", according to the Office for National Statistics.
If you want faster access to treatment or greater choice for non-urgent but important procedures like hip/knee replacements, MRI scans or mental health therapy, private health cover could make a big difference. For many, the quicker diagnosis, reduced waiting time and flexibility in care make it worth the cost.
Kara Gammell Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
Compare private medical insurance quotes from 7^ UK providers
Trusted Service Awards Winners
MoneySuperMarket has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
What are the key factors to consider when choosing private health insurance?
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Cover needs
Choose between inpatient-only cover or adding outpatient care like scans and consultations.
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Your budget
Premiums rise with age, so choose a level you can afford long term. Costs can drop with a higher excess or reduced outpatient cover.
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Hospital choice
Policies that include top-tier or London hospitals usually cost more.
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Optional extras
Physio, dental cover or wellness perks can be useful, but only add what you need.
What do I need to get a health insurance quote?
To get accurate, tailored private health insurance quotes, you’ll need to share a few key details. Having these ready will make the process quicker and help ensure the prices you see are correct.
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Personal and medical information
You’ll usually be asked about:
your age
your residency status
whether you smoke
your general health
any long-term or recent medical conditions
If you’re adding family members, you’ll need the same details for them too.
Insurers use this information to assess risk, and giving accurate answers helps avoid problems if you need to make a claim.
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The type of cover you want
Think about the level of protection you’re looking for, such as:
inpatient or day-patient treatment only
outpatient cover (for tests and consultations)
cancer cover
therapies such as physiotherapy
hospital or consultant preferences
Choosing this upfront helps match you with the right level of cover and avoids paying for benefits you may not need.
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Your preferences and budget
Once you provide these details, you’ll be shown quotes from a range of UK health insurance providers so you can compare cover and prices in one place.
For each policy, you will be able to select:
what excess you'd like to pay
if you'd like any optional add-ons
which hospitals or providers you’d prefer to use
This helps tailor the quote to your budget and treatment preferences.
Is there an age limit for health insurance?
No, private health insurance in the UK doesn’t have a strict age limit, but your age will affect the cost. Premiums generally rise as you get older.
Is it better to pay monthly or annually for health insurance?
Paying annually is usually cheaper than paying monthly, as many insurers add interest to monthly instalments. It also reduces the risk of missing a payment and having your policy lapse.
Does health insurance cover cancer treatment?
Most comprehensive health insurance policies cover cancer care, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
Some policies have annual limits (e.g. £30,000 per person) while others offer unlimited cancer cover, depending on the level of protection you select.
Can I get health insurance with a pre-existing medical condition?
You can usually still buy health insurance if you have a pre-existing condition, but it’s unlikely that treatment for that condition will be covered.
Some insurers may include minor pre-existing conditions after a symptom-free period (often around five years, though this varies). Always check how your insurer defines a pre-existing condition.
Do I need to review my health insurance every year?
It’s sensible to review your policy annually. Auto-renewal can be convenient, but premiums often increase at renewal. Comparing quotes can help ensure you stay on the best deal for your needs.
Can I add other people to my health insurance policy?
Yes. Many insurers offer joint health insurance for couples, and most allow you to add children to create a family policy. Check your provider’s rules and compare options if you want wider cover.
Are there age limits for taking out health insurance?
You usually need to be over 18 to buy your own policy, but children can be added to a parent or guardian’s plan. Some insurers have upper age limits for new customers, and premiums generally rise with age.
Do I need a medical exam for health insurance?
Typically not. Most health insurers ask you to complete a medical questionnaire rather than undergo a medical exam. In some cases they may request a GP report.
Do I need an excess on my health insurance policy?
Most health insurance policies include an excess. Some apply it once per policy year, while others charge it per claim. Higher excesses usually mean lower monthly premiums.
What is the difference between health insurance and critical illness cover?
Health insurance pays for private medical treatment.
Critical illness cover pays you a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness listed in your policy. It’s designed for financial support, not medical treatment.
Are health insurance premiums tax-deductible?
If you buy health insurance for yourself, premiums are usually not tax-deductible. This is also the case if you are buying self-employed health insurance.
Employers may be able to treat staff health insurance as a business expense. For detailed guidance, check with HMRC.
Does health insurance cover treatment abroad?
Most UK health insurance won’t cover healthcare treatment abroad, except in limited emergency cases. Always check your policy.
For international travel, you’ll still need travel insurance with medical cover.
What's the difference between private health insurance and a healthcare cash plan?
Health insurance is not the same as a healthcare cash plan, and you can have both at the same time.
A healthcare cash plan helps with the cost of routine, everyday healthcare such as eye tests, dental check-ups or prescriptions. You pay a monthly fee and claim back set amounts for these services.
Private health insurance is different - it covers treatment for new medical conditions that develop after your policy starts, giving you quicker access to private care. Cash plans work alongside the NHS, while health insurance helps you receive private diagnosis and treatment.
Do I need private health insurance if I'm covered through my work?
If your employer provides health insurance, you may not need a separate policy - but check what’s included. Workplace schemes may not cover extras such as dental care or physiotherapy.
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Is health insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
No, at this time health insurance is not an eligible product for unlocking our SuperSaveClub rewards. It is also not included in our Price Promise.
Reviewed on 11 Dec 2025 by
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
Accurate as of September 2025
Bupa gives approximate costs for comprehensive health cover for an individual in their 30's of £44.33 a month for a non-smoker and £48.41 a month for a smoker. Individuals may find cheaper or more expensive cover.
Data from https://www.bupa.co.uk/health/health-insurance/understanding-health-insurance/smoking. Data sourced November 2025.