Private Medical Insurance Explained

Private Medical Insurance Explained

Compare the UK's leading PMI providers, understand your options, and get independent advice tailored to your needs and budget.

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Jump to: What PMI Covers How It Works Provider Comparison Underwriting Types Added Benefits Individual vs Group Independent Advice FAQs

What Does Private Medical Insurance Cover?

PMI gives you access to private healthcare, bypassing NHS waiting lists. Here are the core areas typically covered:

🏥

Inpatient Treatment

Surgery, hospital stays, specialist consultations, and nursing care in a private hospital of your choice.

🩺

Outpatient Care

Specialist consultations, follow-up appointments, and diagnostic tests without an overnight stay.

🧠

Mental Health

Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric treatment, counselling, and therapy sessions — increasingly standard across leading providers.

🎗️

Cancer Care

Comprehensive cancer cover including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and specialist oncology consultations.

🦴

Physiotherapy

Musculoskeletal treatment, post-operative physiotherapy, and rehabilitation — often with a set number of sessions per year.

🔬

Diagnostics

MRI scans, CT scans, X-rays, blood tests, and pathology — fast access to results without NHS delays.

How Does Private Medical Insurance Work?

1

Choose Your Plan

Work with an independent adviser to compare providers, levels of cover, excesses, and premiums. Select the policy that fits your health needs and budget.

2

Pay Your Premium

Pay monthly or annually. Premiums are based on your age, health history, chosen cover level, and excess. No-claims discounts can reduce costs over time.

3

See Your GP

When you need treatment, visit your GP for a referral (or use your insurer's direct access service for some conditions). Your insurer will confirm what is covered.

4

Make a Claim

Contact your insurer to pre-authorise treatment. They will confirm cover and arrange payment directly to the hospital or specialist in most cases.

5

Receive Treatment

Access private hospitals, specialist consultants, and faster diagnosis — on your schedule, not the NHS waiting list.

UK PMI Provider Comparison

A summary of the UK's leading private medical insurance providers. Costs are indicative — your premium will depend on age, health, and cover level.

Feature Bupa AXA Health Vitality Aviva WPA Cigna
Cancer Cover ✅ Comprehensive ✅ Comprehensive ✅ Full ✅ Full ✅ Full ✅ Full
Mental Health ✅ In & Outpatient ✅ In & Outpatient ✅ Strong ✅ Included ✅ Included ✅ Included
Outpatient Cover Optional add-on Optional add-on Included Optional add-on Flexible Flexible
Dental Add-on ✅ Available ✅ Available ✅ Available ✅ Available ✅ Available ❌ Not standard
No-Claims Discount ✅ Up to 65% ✅ Up to 65% ✅ Rewards-based ✅ Up to 70% ✅ Available ✅ Available
Digital GP Access ✅ Bupa Blua ✅ AXA Doctor ✅ Vitality GP ✅ Aviva DigiCare ✅ Included ✅ Included
Approx. Monthly Cost* £60–£180 £55–£170 £50–£160 £55–£175 £60–£190 £65–£200

*Indicative costs for a healthy adult aged 30–45. Actual premiums vary. Always obtain a personalised quote.

Understanding PMI Underwriting Types

How your policy handles pre-existing conditions depends on the underwriting method. Tap each type to learn more.

🔒 Moratorium Underwriting ＋
Automatically excludes any medical condition you have experienced in the 5 years before your policy starts. If you remain symptom-free and treatment-free for 2 consecutive years after the policy begins, that condition may then become eligible for cover. No medical questionnaire required at outset — quick and simple to set up.
📋 Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) ＋
You complete a detailed medical questionnaire at the start. The insurer reviews your full health history and specifies exactly which conditions are excluded from day one. This gives you certainty about what is and is not covered, and can sometimes result in fewer exclusions than moratorium for people with a clean recent history.
🔄 Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME) ＋
Used when switching providers. Your existing exclusions from your previous policy are carried across to the new policy. This allows you to switch insurer without losing continuity of cover or gaining new exclusions. Ideal for those who have been insured for some time and want to move to a better-value policy.
✅ Medical History Disregarded (MHD) ＋
All pre-existing conditions are covered from day one — no exclusions based on health history. This underwriting type is typically only available through employer group schemes with a minimum number of members. It is the most comprehensive form of underwriting and is particularly valuable for those with ongoing health conditions.

Added-Value Benefits

Modern PMI policies include a range of wellbeing benefits beyond core medical cover:

📞

24/7 GP Helpline

Speak to a qualified GP by phone or video at any time — no appointment needed.

🧘

Mental Health Support

Access to counselling, CBT, and psychiatric services — often with direct referral, no GP needed.

🏋️

Gym & Fitness Discounts

Discounted gym memberships, fitness trackers, and wellness apps — particularly strong with Vitality.

🔬

Health Assessments

Annual health MOTs, blood tests, and screening programmes to catch issues early.

🩺

Second Medical Opinion

Access to leading specialists for a second opinion on a diagnosis or treatment plan.

💊

Prescription Support

Some policies include private prescription services and medication delivery.

Individual vs Group PMI

👤 Individual PMI

  • Purchased personally — full control over cover level and provider
  • Underwritten on your own health history (moratorium or FMU)
  • Pre-existing conditions typically excluded initially
  • Premiums increase with age and claims history
  • Portable — stays with you regardless of employment
  • Can cover your whole family on one policy

🏢 Group PMI

  • Provided by an employer as a workplace benefit
  • Often uses Medical History Disregarded (MHD) underwriting
  • Pre-existing conditions may be covered from day one
  • Premiums paid by employer (may be a taxable benefit)
  • Cover ends when you leave the employer
  • Less flexibility over provider and cover level

Why Independent PMI Advice Matters

With dozens of policies, providers, and underwriting options available, choosing the right PMI can be complex. An independent adviser searches the whole market — not just one provider — to find the policy that genuinely fits your health needs, lifestyle, and budget.

At That's Family Finance, we are not tied to any single insurer. We compare Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, Aviva, WPA, Cigna, and more to find you the best value cover with no hidden bias.

Speak to an Independent Adviser

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Private Medical Insurance cover? ＋
PMI typically covers inpatient treatment (surgery, hospital stays), outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests (MRI, CT scans, blood tests), cancer care, mental health treatment, and physiotherapy. The exact cover depends on your policy and provider.
Is Private Medical Insurance worth it in the UK? ＋
PMI is worth it if you want faster access to specialists, choice of hospital, and treatment without NHS waiting lists. It is particularly valuable for those with busy lifestyles, families, or those who want certainty about their healthcare.
How much does Private Medical Insurance cost? ＋
Costs vary based on age, health history, level of cover, and provider. Individuals typically pay £50–£200 per month. Families may pay £150–£500+ per month. An independent adviser can find the most competitive premium for your circumstances.
Can I get PMI with pre-existing conditions? ＋
Yes, but pre-existing conditions are often excluded under standard underwriting. Medical History Disregarded (MHD) policies — usually available through group schemes — may cover pre-existing conditions. An independent adviser can identify the most suitable option for you.
What is the difference between individual and group PMI? ＋
Individual PMI is purchased personally and underwritten on your own health history. Group PMI is provided by an employer and often includes Medical History Disregarded underwriting, meaning pre-existing conditions may be covered from day one.
What is moratorium underwriting? ＋
Moratorium underwriting automatically excludes conditions you have had in the past 5 years. If you remain symptom-free for 2 consecutive years after the policy starts, that condition may then become covered. No medical questionnaire is required at outset.
Which is the best PMI provider in the UK? ＋
The best provider depends on your individual needs, budget, and health history. Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, Aviva, WPA, and Cigna are all leading UK providers. An independent adviser can compare all options and recommend the most suitable policy for you.
Does PMI cover mental health treatment? ＋
Many PMI policies now include mental health cover, including inpatient and outpatient psychiatric treatment. The level of cover varies by provider and policy tier. Vitality and Bupa are particularly well regarded for mental health benefits.

📍 UK-Wide PMI Advice

That's Family Finance provides independent private medical insurance advice to individuals, families, and businesses across the United Kingdom — from London and Manchester to Edinburgh, Cardiff, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, and beyond. Whether you are looking for individual cover, family PMI, or a group scheme for your employees, our advisers are here to help you find the right policy at the right price. We work with all leading UK insurers and are not tied to any single provider.

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Important Information: That's Family Finance is an introducer and marketing service. Private Medical Insurance advice is provided by FCA-regulated advisers. This page is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding of current products and legislation, which may change. Premium costs shown are indicative only and are not guaranteed. You should always obtain a personalised quotation. Your eligibility for cover and the terms of any policy will depend on your individual circumstances and health history. That's Family Finance is not responsible for the products or services of third-party insurers mentioned on this page.