Health insurance
What is health insurance?
Health insurance is an insurance policy that covers the costs of private healthcare, from diagnosis to treatment. You will pay a monthly subscription that covers all or some of the cost of treatment for conditions that develop after your health insurance policy has begun.
You may take out private health insurance because it gives you quick access to medical treatment. The level of cover you get will depend on the policy you take out. We have two different levels of private health insurance cover: Treatment and Care, and Comprehensive.
For fast access to treatment
We want to make sure you can get the help you need as quickly as possible. That’s why we can give you fast access to treatment with our health insurance.
If you’re worried it’s cancer, you can speak to us directly without seeing your GP first. Depending on your health insurance cover and the nature of your symptoms, we could even refer you to a consultant there and then†. So you could soon be back to doing the things you love, with those you love.
About our medical cover
Our health insurance puts you in control with the choice of two products that you can adapt to suit your needs.
Comprehensive
Rated 5 Star by Defaqto, this is our highest level of health insurance cover that opens the door to private diagnosis, treatment and aftercare for all your eligible medical needs.
Treatment and care
This cover option is for people who are happy to be diagnosed by the NHS but would like to receive treatment privately.
Our health insurance benefits
For detecting cancer as early as possible
Depending on your health insurance cover and the nature of your symptoms, we could even refer you to a consultant there and then.
For breakthrough drugs and treatment within your reach
For going further than funding treatment
For getting the help you need faster
You can call us for direct access to advice and treatment for muscle, bone or joint problems, mental health, cancer or cataracts from the moment you need it – usually without the need to see a GP first†. Our dedicated team of trained advisers will be able to give you clear advice on what to do next.
For fast help with muscle, bone and joint problems
For healthcare that rewards you
Your hospital network
Learn more
Medical history
Policy summary
You can find independent information about the quality and cost of private treatment available from doctors and hospitals from the Private Healthcare Information Network: www.phin.org.uk
Here’s a selection of questions and answers that we’ve already helped our customers with.
Health insurance covers treatment for acute conditions that develop after your policy has started. An acute condition is a disease, illness or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment which aims to return you to the state of health you were in before suffering the condition, or which leads to your full recovery.
You can compare our different levels of cover by taking a look over our Comprehensive page and our Treatment and Care page.
To help you decide which cover will be right for you, as a starting point, think about your lifestyle, budget and the areas of your life that concern you the most. Comprehensive covers medical costs from diagnosis and treatment to aftercare. If you choose Comprehensive and full cancer cover, it includes diagnosis, eligible treatment and aftercare.
If you choose Comprehensive and full cancer cover, it includes diagnosis, eligible treatment and aftercare. Alternatively if you choose NHS Cancer Cover Plus, cover is only available if the radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgical operation you need to treat your cancer is not available under the NHS.
Treatment and care covers eligible treatment and following this, any consultations, diagnostic tests and scans that are needed after you have received your treatment.
If you’d like to speak to us about health insurance call 0808 159 2103^ and we can talk you through some suitable options. Alternatively you can get a quote online now.
If you want to learn more about health insurance and how it works, take a look over our health insurance guide.
As a starting point, think about your lifestyle, budget and the areas of your health that concern you the most. Comprehensive covers medical costs from diagnosis to eligible treatment.
If you choose Comprehensive and full cancer cover, it includes diagnosis and eligible treatment. Alternatively if you choose NHS Cancer Cover Plus, cover is only available if the radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgical operation you need to treat your cancer is not available under the NHS.
Treatment and care covers eligible treatment and following this, any consultations, diagnostic tests and scans that are needed after you have received your treatment.
If you’d like to speak to us about health insurance call 0808 256 9436^ and we can talk you through some suitable options. Alternatively you can get a quote online now.
You can get a quote online now for our Comprehensive cover. If you’re interested in Treatment and Care give us a call on 0808 159 2103^
If you want to learn more about health insurance and how it works, take a look over our health insurance guide.
Bupa By You covers you for new conditions that occur once your cover has started - so you won't be able to use it for medical conditions that were apparent before you took out cover. There are also certain conditions that, whichever plan you choose, will not be covered, for example chronic long-standing conditions or cosmetic surgery. Details of the full list of exclusions can be found in the policy benefits and terms (PDF, 229KB) that will also be sent to you once you have taken your cover out.
You'll be covered from the moment you have agreed on the level of cover that's right for you and you've set up your monthly Direct Debit. Once your cover has started, you can cancel it within 21 days and as long as you haven't made any claims we'll refund all of your subscriptions for that month or year. You'll be sent all of the documentation that details what is and isn't covered and how you get in touch with us should you need to claim. You can also find this information in our policy benefits and terms (PDF, 229KB).
Each year before your renewal we'll send your renewal details including your new subscription price.
If you’ve been part of a company health insurance scheme but you’re leaving it now, you can still have Bupa health insurance.
Anything that was excluded on your company scheme would remain excluded on Bupa By You. When joining Bupa By You as a company leaver, you will be required to meet our of eligibility criteria.
Find out more about leaving your company scheme, or call us today on 0800 606 570 ^ to talk through your health insurance options.
^ We may record or monitor our calls. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm. Our Christmas opening hours are: 24th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 31st of December, 8am to 4pm. We will be closed on the 25th, 26th, 30th Dec and 1st Jan.
*Direct Access telephone services are available as long as the symptoms are covered under the policy. If your cover excludes conditions you had before your policy started, we’ll ask you to provide evidence from your GP that your symptoms are not pre-existing for a period of up to two years from policy start date (or five years in the case of mental health) before we can refer you to a consultant or therapist through the Direct Access service. Always call us first to check your eligibility.
Bupa Anytime Helpline is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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.
