What does health insurance cover?
We’ve put together a checklist of what’s usually covered by private health insurance, and what might be excluded, so you can choose the best health insurance for you.
Health insurance: what is covered?
Different health insurance policies offer different benefits. Think about your needs, and choose a policy that offers the right cover for you.
Most policies include cover for:
- Treatment in private hospitals
- Private consultations
- Access to Bupa Blua Health, our digital GP service
- Physiotherapy for muscle, bone or joint conditions
- Out-patient care such as scans, tests, x-rays and hospital appointments where you aren’t admitted
When considering the best health insurance policies, you need to think about what is important to you. For example, more comprehensive policies may give some of these additional benefits:
- Mental Health cover
- NHS hospital cash benefit
- Parent accommodation
When you compare health insurance, you might need to consider the needs of family members too. Some providers offer discounts if you insure your family
Questions to ask when comparing health insurance cover
1. Does the insurance provider offer access to a GP who can refer you if you need specialist help?
2. Are there limits to the amount of cover you can claim each year?
3. Does the provider offer ongoing treatment for mental health issues?
4. Will you get a discount on cover if you insure your family?
What’s not covered?
The best health insurance plans will make it really clear what is and isn’t included in your cover.
You can see what is and isn’t covered on Bupa’s policies on our Compare health insurance page.
What does Bupa cover?
Bupa health insurance covers all the things we’ve discussed above but there are also some things we do a bit differently.
Mental health
Your emotional wellbeing is as important as your physical health. That’s why we cover more mental health conditions than any other leading UK insurer.†
Talk to a GP online, anytime of day or night
Most Bupa cover includes Bupa Blua Health, or another digital GP service‡. This means you can talk to a GP within 24 hours – day or night. Book a video or phone call from home, work or wherever. And if you’re happy to pay for a private prescription, you can pay to have it delivered to your door.
Our cancer cover
Our cancer cover can offer some cancer drugs and treatments before they’re available on the NHS. Helping you get the medicines you need, faster. Any drugs or treatments will need to be evidence-based and covered by your policy.
Direct access to care
If you’re worried about cancer, mental health or muscles and joints, you can call our Direct Access team. We’ll check that your symptoms are covered and give you clear advice on what to do next. We could refer you to a specialist on the call if your symptoms are covered by your policy. Or, if you do need to see a GP, we’ll let you know.
Call us
0808 250 9047^
^ Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. We may record or monitor our calls.
††As of February 2023, this comparison to other products in the market is based on Bupa’s and Defaqto’s interpretation of the differences between the Bupa’s Bupa By You health insurance and other health insurance products offering mental health cover. The comparison excludes any special offers or promotions which may temporarily alter the cover offered. Cover comparison information is for personal use and guidance only and does not constitute any contractual representation, warranty or obligation by either Bupa or Defaqto about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability of the comparison. Neither party accepts any liability for errors, omissions, direct or consequential loss in relation to this comparison.
See PDF How we compare: Individuals (PDF 1MB)
‡ Customers who live on the Isle of Man, or have a Bupa Standard, Bupa Premium or Bupa Your Choice policy, do not have access to Bupa Blua Health, but can access GP24 provided by HealthHero. Some corporate schemes don't include access to Bupa Blua Health or GP24, so please check your scheme documents or give us a call.
Bupa Blua Health is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Bupa Blua Health is provided by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, registered in England and Wales with number 3829851. Digital GP services are powered by eMed Healthcare UK Limited, registered in England and Wales with number 15086104, Registered Office: 184-192 Drummond Street, London, England, NW1 3HP.
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.
