How to choose health insurance
Choosing health insurance may seem daunting. But knowing
what to look for in a policy can make all the difference.
That's where we can help.
Edited by Zach Lucas, health
insurance expert at Bupa
Last updated 28 May 2024
4 minute read
How to find health insurance that's right for you
Start by thinking about what you'd like to get from your policy. Your choice should depend on your lifestyle, who you want to cover, and what aspects of health you care most about.
Which health insurance benefits are most important for you?
- Physiotherapy
- Mental health support
- Cancer cover
- Cover for private treatment
- Cover for private diagnosis
- A choice of private hospitals
- Online appointments
- Free online fitness classes or meditation programmes
Look at different levels of cover so you can compare the benefits on offer. Then get quotes from a few different companies. This will help you to compare the costs and weigh these against the benefits.
Look out for discounts
Some providers offer family discounts or couples’ discounts for joint policies. It may work out cheaper to take out a policy with your partner or family.
Once you’ve chosen a policy, check any exclusions or limits that might apply. And make sure you understand how the excess works.
Compare Bupa coverDo I need cover for private diagnosis?
Some policies offer cover for both private diagnosis and private treatment. Some policies only cover private treatment.
If your policy only covers private treatment, you’ll need to get any diagnoses you need through the NHS. Once you’ve been diagnosed, you can then use private healthcare for your treatment.
Policies that only cover private treatment can be cheaper. So, if you’re happy to be diagnosed by the NHS, this could be an option for you.
Cover for private diagnosis means that you can use private healthcare for any tests, scans, or consultant appointments you need. If you’d like access to this, make sure you choose a policy that covers private diagnosis.
What if I already have a health condition?
Health insurance doesn't cover conditions or injuries you had before your policy started. Insurance providers call these ‘pre-existing conditions.’
If you’d like treatment for an existing problem, health insurance usually can't help.
You could try pay as you go healthcare. This is another way to access private healthcare without using health insurance.
Make sure you understand what’s covered by a policy before you buy it. If you already have a health issue, it’s really important to check how this might affect your cover.
Should I add an excess?
Choosing to add an excess can reduce the cost of your policy. But it’s important to remember that you will have to pay your excess if you need treatment.
Read about how excess works in our guide to health insurance excess.
Limits you should look out for
Some health insurance offers completely unlimited cover. Some have unlimited cover for certain conditions such as cancer or mental health issues. But many policies have limits on some types of treatment.
Some health cover has limits on the amount you can claim each year for outpatient treatment. Some have limits on certain therapies.
If you have a limit on certain kinds of treatment, once this limit has been reached, you will have to pay for any more care that you need. Or you will need to use the NHS.
You are often able to add a limit for outpatient cover when you take out a policy. Outpatient means that you are treated in a hospital or clinic but do not stay overnight. This can include diagnostic tests, consultant appointments, or physiotherapy.
Choosing a lower limit for outpatient treatment can reduce the cost of your policy. But, if you needed further outpatient treatment after reaching this limit, you would need to pay for that yourself.
Tip
It’s important to fully understand any limits before you take out health insurance. If you need help, speak to the provider before you buy.
Do you get perks with health insurance?
Many providers offer extra benefits or perks with their health insurance. You might be offered cheaper gym membership or rewards packages. Some offer online GP appointments or access to free online fitness classes.
Tip
It's a good idea to compare the packages on offer to find one that will benefit you.
When looking at any special offers or perks, it’s important to remember what you originally wanted to get out of your health insurance. You’ll need to weigh any perks against the overall quality of the cover the insurer is offering so that you find the best fit for you.
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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.
