Do I need private health insurance?
Private health insurance can get you faster access to specialists and treatment. If you become unwell or you’re injured, it can help you get better sooner.
Edited by Zach Lucas, health insurance expert at Bupa Last updated 28 May 2024
2 minute read
Do I need health insurance?
UK residents have access to free healthcare from the NHS. If you’re happy to use this, you don’t need private health insurance. But, if you’d like to get treatment fast and have more choice, private health insurance can help.
Private health insurance gives you access to private healthcare. This means you can get treatment fast and that you can be treated in private hospitals or clinics.
You’ll also have more choice about which specialists you see, and you can choose appointment times that suit you.
Benefits of private health insurance
- Fast diagnosis
- Fast access to consultants and other specialists
- Fast access to treatment
- Treatment in private hospitals or private clinics
- A choice of specialists and consultants
- A choice of private hospitals
- Access to online appointments with GPs, physiotherapists, and mental health specialists.
- Access to free online wellbeing programmes like fitness or meditation classes.
If you want fast access to treatment, private health insurance could be right for you. It can give you peace of mind, that should you need help with your health, you can get diagnosed and treated faster.
Tip
It’s important to research your options and consider your budget. Get a range of quotes and compare cover. Consider the benefits and costs of policies so you can find the right cover for you.
What isn’t covered by health insurance?
Private health insurance usually won’t cover conditions you already have. It also doesn't cover ongoing or long-term conditions. This includes conditions that don’t have a cure, like asthma, arthritis, or diabetes.
If you need help with existing health issues, you could try pay as you go healthcare. This is a way to access private healthcare without insurance.
Is health insurance worth it?
It’s up to you to weigh the benefits against the costs and decide whether health insurance is right for you.
Health insurance is of course more expensive than using the NHS, which is mostly free. But for your money, you’ll get faster access to treatment and a choice of specialists and consultants.
Private health insurance can also offer you comforts like a private room, or treatment in your local private hospital.
Some health insurance also offers access to new drugs or specialist treatments before they’re available on the NHS.
Tip
It’s a good idea to get quotes and compare the cost and benefits of a few policies. See our helpful guide on how to choose health insurance.
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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.
