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24 January 2026
Hub page introduction, criteria and FAQs added
13 December 2024
First Published
A quick overview of private health insurance
Private health insurance (also known as Private Medical Insurance or PMI) is a policy designed to cover the cost of private medical treatment for "acute" conditions that start after your policy begins. It allows you to bypass NHS waiting lists, choose your specialist, and stay in a private hospital.
You can read more about how it works in our complete guide to private health insurance.
Key features of private health insurance
Here is a rundown of the key components of private health insurance and the rules around it:
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Can be purchased as Individual, Joint, or Family cover
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Policyholders pay a monthly or annual premium while the plan is active
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Most policies offer a choice of Hospital Lists (e.g., local only vs nationwide including Central London) which impacts the price
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You can choose between Full Medical Underwriting (disclose history upfront) or Moratorium Underwriting (automatic exclusions for recent conditions)
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Covers Acute Conditions (curable illnesses) but generally excludes Chronic Conditions (long-term incurable issues like diabetes or arthritis)
Eligibility criteria and other requirements
To qualify for private health insurance in the UK, you generally need to be a permanent resident of the UK and be registered with a UK GP.
You will usually need to be over the age of 18 to hold a policy, though children can be added as dependents. Many insurers have an upper age limit for new joiners (often 75 or 80), but will allow existing customers to renew regardless of age.
The following table highlights the factors that impact a policy’s cost and likelihood of acceptance:
|
Factor |
Impact & Key Insurer Checks |
|
Age |
Premiums increase as you get older because the statistical risk of needing treatment rises. |
|
Location |
Postcode pricing applies. Central London hospitals are significantly more expensive, increasing premiums if included. |
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Smoking & Vaping |
Smokers (including vapers) typically pay higher premiums due to increased health risks. |
|
BMI & Health |
High BMI or medical history may lead to specific exclusions or higher premiums ("loading"). |
|
Underwriting Type |
"Moratorium" is often cheaper and faster to start but leaves coverage for past conditions uncertain until you claim. |
|
Excess |
Agreeing to pay a higher excess (e.g., £500) per claim can significantly reduce your monthly premium. |
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FAQs
Generally, no. Standard PMI is designed to cover new conditions that arise after you take out the policy. If you have had symptoms, treatment, or advice for a condition in the past 5 years, it will likely be excluded. However, if you choose Moratorium Underwriting, some insurers may agree to cover a pre-existing condition in the future if you go 2 years completely symptom-free and treatment-free after the policy starts.
Yes, in most cases. You usually need to see your GP (NHS or private) first. If they cannot treat you, they will provide a "referral letter" to a specialist. You then contact your insurer to authorise the claim before booking the appointment. Some modern policies offer "Digital GP" apps that can provide referrals without waiting for your local doctor.
For individuals, no. You pay for the policy out of your taxed income. For businesses, yes. If a limited company pays for employees' health insurance, it is a tax-deductible business expense. However, it is treated as a "Benefit in Kind" for the employee, meaning they will pay some personal tax on the value of the benefit.
THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.
IF YOU ARE THINKING OF CONSOLIDATING EXISTING BORROWING YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT YOU MAY BE EXTENDING THE TERMS OF THE DEBT AND INCREASING THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU REPAY.
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