Inpatient vs. outpatient cover
What is the difference between in-patient cover and out-patient cover?
When you choose a health insurance policy you'll need to understand the difference between in-patient and out-patient treatment. In-patient covers you for procedures or treatments that need you to stay in hospital overnight. Out-patient covers you for procedures and treatments where you don't stay in overnight or occupy a bed for the day. This is the main difference.
It's important to understand these terms, as they can have an impact on your health insurance policy. This page gives you all of the information you need to understand these common health insurance terms, and how they may affect your policy.
Just to make you aware, health insurance is generally designed to cover conditions that a develop after your policy has started.
Looking for health insurance cover
To find out more about our health insurance cover options or to get a quote call us on 0808 252 0055^
What’s included in in-patient cover?
Inpatient treatment is any treatment that requires you to stay overnight in a hospital or clinic for at least one night.
Inpatient cover on your health insurance policy can cover a wide range of things, including:
- diagnostic tests, such as blood tests during an admission for surgery
- surgeon and anaesthetist fees for surgery, and physician fees for in-patient care
- hospital fees for the treatment itself, including any medications you may require whilst an in-patient
- your stay in hospital as an in-patient
What’s included in out-patient cover?
Out-patient cover is when you don’t need to be admitted to hospital, but you will still attend a hospital or clinic for treatment such as any diagnostic tests, MRI, CT and PET scans or therapies you may need.
Out-patient cover on your health insurance policy mainly covers:
- minor diagnostic tests such as X-rays, blood tests and ultrasounds
- therapy sessions such as physiotherapy
- out-patient consultations
- out-patient MRI, CT and PET scans
It is possible that you could be referred to a hospital or a clinic for in-patient treatment.
In-patient and out-patient cover for cancer treatment
Where cancer cover is included in your policy
When you need support through cancer, we’re here for you. Our cancer care includes:
- fast support through diagnosis, treatment and beyond, including mental health advice from our nurses
- access to breakthrough drugs, often before they are approved by NICE and available on the NHS*
- treatment options at home such as chemotherapy, if your consultant agrees it’s right for you
*Applies to eligible cancer drugs and treatment covered by your policy.
Is in-patient and out-patient cover included on Bupa policies?
Each of our policies include full in-patient cover for all eligible treatment as long as you use a facility from your chosen Bupa network and a Bupa recognised consultant who agrees to charge within Bupa limits (this is called a fee-assured consultant).
With our Comprehensive health insurance cover you’ll be able to choose an annual limit of £500, £1000 or unlimited out-patient cover. If you choose unlimited all of your out-patient fees will be fully covered, as long as you use a fee assured consultant in a network hospital. However your premium may increase as a result. As with in-patient treatment, we’ll only fund eligible treatment when you use Bupa-recognised facilities and consultants.
Sometimes out-patient cover may not be included on basic health insurance policies. If it is included there may be limits applied, meaning you’ll only be covered up to a chosen amount per year. Once you’ve reached your annual limit you’ll need to pay for any further out-patient treatment yourself or use the NHS. That’s why it’s worth checking your health insurance policy to see if out-patient cover is included and if any limits apply.
Interested in private healthcare? We’ve got you covered.
With our family health insurance, if a member of your family gets poorly we’ll make sure they get all the help they need , fast – so you can get right back to being you.
We value families at Bupa, which is why you’ll pay 10% less on your health insurance when compared to buying individual policies for each member of your family.
Terms and conditions apply, see below for details†.
Everything you need to know about health insurance
Our useful guides are here to help you understand the fundamentals of health insurance. Not only that, but we also cover a number of key health topics – such as looking after yourself as a parent and taking care of your children’s health.
Getting health insurance when you’re self-employed
If you’re self-employed you may be considering health insurance to give you peace of mind for your business.
Will I need an excess on my health insurance policy?
Health insurance policies often include an excess. This is fairly standard with most insurance policies, but it’s worth understanding the impact excess can have on your cover.
Do I need private health insurance?
If you’re considering private health insurance, you may be weighing up if you need it or not. We’ve broken down the benefits so you can see if suits your personal needs.
Private health insurance exclusions
Before you take out health insurance, it’s important that you have a thorough understanding of what is and isn’t covered.
Call us
0808 252 0055^
^ Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. We may record or monitor our calls.
^We may record or monitor our calls. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.
Please be aware that information you send to this email address may not be secure unless you send us your email through Egress.
For more information and to sign up for a free Egress account, go to https://switch.egress.com. You will not be charged for sending secure emails to a Bupa email address using the Egress service. You will not be charged for sending secure emails to a Bupa email address using the Egress service.
Terms and conditions
† Families save 10% with Bupa:
10% saving applies to family cover which includes one adult or more and one or more children. The savings apply to family cover with children on their policy compared to the price of individual cover for each family member. Savings only apply to Bupa By You core insurance. We reserve the right to amend or withdraw our family rate at renewal.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.
