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 digital healthcare
- Physiotherapy for muscle, bone or joint conditions
- Out-patient care such as scans, tests, x-rays and hospital appointments where you aren’t admitted
Are there any additional benefits to health insurance?
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
Some questions you could ask include:
- Will I need to see your GP first?
- Does the insurance provider offer access to a GP who can refer me if I need specialist help?
- Are there limits to the amount of cover I can claim each year?
- Does the provider offer ongoing treatment for mental health issues?
- Will I get a discount on cover if you insure your family?
- What private hospitals do I have access to?
What's not covered on any policy?
The best health insurance plans will make it really clear what is and isn t included in your cover.
None of our policies cover:
- Life events such as pregnancy, menopause or ageing
- Allergies and food intolerances
- Conditions you had before your policy started
These are sometimes known as pre-existing conditions. Your policy usually won’t cover injuries or conditions you had before your cover started. - Ongoing health issues with no known cure
These are sometimes known as chronic conditions. Diabetes and asthma are examples of ongoing health issues with no known cure. Your policy usually won’t cover treatment related to ongoing or chronic issues.
There are some exceptions. Bupa may cover ongoing care for mental health or cancer. Even if there is no cure.
There are other exceptions to the rules that might apply to you. So, if you have a question, it s worth getting in touch.
What's not covered on our Treatment and Care policy?
Our Treatment and Care policy also has these three exclusions. These are as well as the exclusions that apply to all policies.
-
Out-patient appointments before treatment
These are appointments that a GP or specialist might recommend that you have before you’re diagnosed. You might have these at a hospital, but you wouldn’t need to be admitted for the day or stay overnight. These appointments would help with diagnosis. - Tests before treatment
These are tests that a GP or specialist might recommend before you’re diagnosed. The tests would help to diagnose what’s wrong with you. - Scans before treatment
These are scans that a GP or specialist might recommend before you’re diagnosed. The scans would help to diagnose what’s wrong with you.
Our Treatment and Care policy is designed for those who are happy to be diagnosed by the NHS or pay as you go healthcare.
It doesn’t cover appointments, scans or tests that you may need before you are diagnosed. If you’d like to include these, see our Comprehensive health insurance.
What are Bupa's health insurance benefits?
Bupa private medical insurance is designed to suit your health and wellbeing needs, and you can expect all of this and more:
- 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†. - Day and night access to healthcare
Save time with our digital appointments in the My Bupa App. Speak to GPs, nurses, physios and mental health specialists. Book video or audio appointments during the day and evenings, on weekends or bank holidays. - 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, bones 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. Or, if you do need to see a GP, we'll let you know.
Compare Bupa health insurance
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Speak to our team
New customers
Call 0800 600 500^
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.
Existing customers
Call 0345 609 0111
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 4pm and bank holidays 8am to 1pm.
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Contact us form
If you’re not already a Bupa customer and you have a question, complete our contact us form.
†As of September 2024, 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)
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.
