Health insurance guides
Health insurance can be confusing. So we’ve created these guides to help.
Understanding health insurance
Health insurance can be confusing. So, we've created these guides to help you understand every aspect of health insurance.
Most popular
How much is private health insurance?
See example costs and how price is calculated.
How does private health insurance work?
Everything you need to know about how cover works.
Health insurance exclusions
What is and isn’t covered by health insurance?
Recently updated
How to choose health insurance
Learn what to look out for when comparing cover.
How to make health insurance more affordable
See example costs and how price is calculated.
Inpatient and outpatient cover
Find out what these terms mean for your cover.
Health insurance excess
Learn how excess works and how much you should pay.
Do I need private health insurance?
We explain the benefits of health insurance.
Self-employed health insurance
Get better faster and back to work sooner.
Health insurance and conditions
Heart disease and health insurance
Find out what treatment is covered.
Disability and health insurance
Find out if you can get insured and what could be covered.
Cataract removal and health insurance
Find out when cataract surgery is covered.
Pre-existing conditions
Learn about pre-existing conditions and what you're covered for.
More health insurance guides
Types of health insurance
We explain about different types of cover.
Health insurance premiums
Learn how your health insurance premiums are calculated.
Health insurance abroad
Find out how you can access treatment while you're travelling.
Smoking and health insurance
Find out how smoking affects your health insurance policy.
Health insurance in Northern Ireland
Find out why you might want private cover in Northern Ireland.
What does health insurance cover?
Learn how excess works and how much you should pay.
Medical underwriting
Everything you need to know about choosing medical underwriting.
Chat to us about health insurance
Meet our team of health insurance specialists. In this video they explain how easy it is to call and ask whatever’s on your mind.
You can even get a quote without any pressure to buy a policy.
New customers
Call our team on 0800 600 500
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. We may record or monitor our calls
we're on hand to answer any questions and if you want to bounce any ideas and things of what you're looking for we can directly address that and get to the best conclusion for yourself.
There's also different discounts that we offer such as 10% family discount, 5% couples' discount so you just have someone that can guide you right through that journey to make it comfortable and convenient for you, it's a big decision to make so it's having that support with you all the way.
The most common question I get on the phone is that do I have to set up the policy straight away that is not the case, when you do call in we'll run through the quote review over the phone make sure that we have answered every question that you can think of and then we can always get it sent out to you whether that's by post or email.
It can be personalised that one advisor stays with you throughout the whole process and we can also provide our personal email so if you do have any questions once you've come away from the call you can certainly bounce those questions back with us and we can certainly help you straight away replying with that email because it does come through directly to us.
To initially speak to us you don't need anything, you speak to one of our advisors and go through the whole process with you at the point of enrolling on your policy we may ask you for further information on your medical history if needed, but if you have all that information to hand them there's nothing further you'll need.
We can then go through any more questions you have and if you're happy then get the policy set up but it's all up to you and there is no rush.
Already a Bupa customer? We're here to help
Chat to our friendly advisors
Health trends and latest insights
Find articles on everything from getting a good night’s sleep, to going alcohol-free.
Learn more about the latest insights into health and wellbeing.
Speak to our team
New customers
Call 0800 600 500^
Existing customers
Call 0345 609 0111^
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.
Contact us form
If you're not already a Bupa customer and you have a question, complete our contact us form.
^We may record or monitor our calls.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 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 with registration number 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.
© Bupa 2025
Anytime HealthLine is provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ. Bupa Anytime HealthLine is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority.
