What is health insurance?
Health insurance, often called private medical 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 acute 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. We offer different levels of private health insurance cover for you to compare: Comprehensive and Treatment and Care.
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Our health insurance gives you around the clock access to expert advice from the comfort of your own home.
So you can stay in control of your health, wherever you are.
Watch our new advert showcasing the benefits of Bupa health insurance.
What type of health insurance are you looking for?
Our range of cover options allows you to adapt aspects of your health insurance to suit your needs.
Individual health insurance
Couples health insurance
Family health insurance
Business health insurance
Our health insurance benefits
Whether it’s getting the help you need faster, or for cancer care that helps get you there, we’re proud to give you nothing less than health expertise.
We cover more mental health conditions than any other leading UK Insurer†
We’re committed to helping people improve their mental health, which is why we cover more mental health issues than any other leading UK insurer†. We’ve also created a new mental health hub which has lots of useful information about mental health and wellbeing. Anyone can use it, even if you don't have health insurance with us.
Get the help you need faster.
We’re here to help you deal with health issues big and small, sooner rather than later. That’s why you can call us directly for advice and treatment for muscle, bone or joint problems, mental health or cancer from the moment you need it - usually without the need to see a GP first. And rest assured we have specialists who can provide advice and support whenever you need it.††
Access to breakthrough cancer drugs.
Support every step of the way.
If you’re diagnosed with cancer, we'll support you at every stage of your journey for as long as you have Bupa health insurance‡. You’ll also have access to eligible breakthrough cancer drugs and treatments, often before they are available on the NHS or approved by NICE (as long as they’re evidence-based)‡‡.
See a GP within 24 hours from the comfort of your own home.
Imagine if seeing a GP was as easy as checking your bank balance. Or buying a coffee. With Digital GP provided by Babylon†††, it is. The app gives you 24/7 access to GPs with a simple tap of your phone. Just download the app and book a live video consultation at a time to suit you – wherever you are, whatever you want to talk about.
Are you already a member?
If you’ve got Bupa health insurance and need help or treatment, check with Bupa before you visit a GP‡‡ and we can help you get the care you need. We can help with:
Cancer concerns Cardiac Muscles, bones and joints Mental health Moles and skin lesions Other symptoms
Want to keep your private medical cover with us after you leave your current employer?
If you’re leaving or have left your current employer and are worried about your health insurance cover ending, then call us today. We can talk through the options available for you and your family.
Here’s a selection of questions and answers that we’ve already helped our customers with
The cost of your private health insurance cover will depend on two factors: your personal circumstances and the type of private health insurance policy you choose. Other factors that impact the cost of your private health insurance include your age, where you live and if you smoke.
Your health insurance policy is unique to you and the cost will depend on the level of cover you want. For example, you can choose the level of excess you want to pay, and your policy benefit limits.
Alongside our health insurance, we offer a health cash plan, which allows you to spread the cost of some of your everyday health expenses for a regular, monthly premium.
Before you take out health insurance, it’s important to understand how it works. Health insurance covers the cost of private healthcare for conditions that develop after your policy has begun.
Depending on the level of cover, private health insurance may cover you for treatment as an in-patient, out-patient, or day patient. You will usually pay a monthly fee and then make claims for any eligible private healthcare you receive.
One of the main benefits of private healthcare is that you’ll often get access to treatment faster than on the NHS. Health insurance can get you access to new drugs or specialist treatments that aren’t yet available, too.
Most health insurance policies include cover for in-patient and day-patient treatment in private hospitals. More comprehensive health insurance policies will provide additional benefits such as out-patient treatment (scans, tests, x-rays and hospital appointments where you aren't admitted).
Bupa private health insurance policies cover more mental health conditions than any other leading insurer††, offer digital GP appointments and Direct Access to specialist advice and treatment for some conditions.
The best health insurance policies are clear about the exclusions. Most private health policies exclude emergency treatment, maternity care, cosmetic surgery, and treatment for chronic or pre-existing conditions.
Learn more about what’s covered in a typical health insurance policy
Before taking out health insurance, you’ll need to decide what health insurance cover is right for your health and wellbeing needs. Think about what you want from your medical insurance policy – picking the right cover depends on your personal circumstances.
We offer two levels of private health insurance cover: Treatment and Care and Comprehensive. Both policies can be adapted to suit your individual health needs. It’s easy to get a health insurance quote online – all you need to do is fill out a few personal details and some lifestyle questions, which helps us work out the overall cost of your health insurance policy.
Your health insurance policy will begin from the moment you’ve agreed what cover is right for you, and you’ve set up your Direct Debit. Once you’re a Bupa health insurance member, we will send you all the documentation that details what is and isn’t covered. As all our policies are different, so it’s important to check yours thoroughly.
An excess is the amount you’ll have to pay towards your treatment when you make a claim on your health insurance policy. The excess you choose can have a big impact on your policy, especially when it comes to deciding the cost of your cover, so it’s important to understand how it will impact your health insurance.
If you make a claim on your health insurance, the amount of excess on your policy is what you’ll pay towards your treatment or procedure. Not every private health insurance policy will have the same kind of excess, so it’s important to first familiarise yourself with all available excess options from your chosen provider.
Both of our health insurance policies – Treatment and Care and Comprehensive – offer flexible excess options, where you can either choose £0, £100, £150, £200, £250 or £500.
There are a few ways to lower the cost of your health insurance cover, but remember, a cheaper plan might not provide all the cover you need for your health and wellbeing.
You may want to choose a higher excess to reduce the monthly cost of your private health insurance policy. However, you will have to pay this amount if you need treatment. Most policies offer optional extras – such as dental or eyecare cover – if you’re not interested in these, you don’t have to include them on your cover.
If you’re interested in taking out health insurance for you and your loved ones, some health insurance cover will provide discounts if you’re a couple or you insure your family.
Several factors influence the cost of your health insurance. Unhealthy lifestyle choices, like smoking for example, may also increase your monthly premium. So, if you choose to stop smoking, it’s important to tell us, as this may reduce the cost of your cover.
Learn more about how to lower the cost of your private health insurance
Pre-existing conditions, and related ailments are often excluded from your policy because health insurance is designed to treat new conditions that occur after your cover has started. When you take out health insurance cover with us, we’ll normally ask you to fill out a medical history form to help us confirm what your policy will and won’t cover for you.
It's important to understand what won’t be covered on your private health insurance policy. For example, your policy may not cover any chronic conditions you have. A chronic condition is a condition that:
- Needs ongoing or long-term monitoring through consultations, examinations, check-ups and/or tests
- Needs ongoing or long-term control or relief of symptoms
- It has no known cure
- It comes back or is likely to come back
- It continues indefinitely
- It requires your rehabilitation or for you to be specially trained to cope with it
Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim for chronic condition flare-ups.
No – there isn’t an age limit for taking out health insurance cover. To be fair to everyone, age is one of the factors we use to calculate the cost of your policy.
The benefits of taking out health insurance when you get older is the same as with any age. You’ll be covered from diagnosis to treatment for conditions that develop after your policy has begun, and you will have a choice of hospital networks and optional extras, including dental cover.
If you take out family health insurance, we cover children with no upper age limit, providing they remain a resident at the policy holder’s address. Whatever your age, if you are looking to take out health insurance, simply get a quote online.
It’s important to compare different health insurance policies before you decide on the right cover for you. From individual health insurance to family health insurance, first decide on the type of private healthcare that suits your needs.
The best health insurance providers will make it clear what’s available and what isn’t, to help you decide on the best policy. Most health insurance policies will offer standard cover and optional extras, including eyecare cover. It’s important to look at exactly what’s covered – and what isn’t – before you take out health insurance.
You can compare health insurance plans on our website, or you can call us on 0808 115 4494 to find out what we can offer you.
Yes – you can add your partner (providing you both live at the same address) or dependents onto your policy at any time.
The cost of your couple’s health insurance or family health insurance will depend on several factors, including where you live, your ages, your health and how much excess you choose to pay. You can choose to pay for your private healthcare in monthly instalments or annually.
If you’re looking to add someone onto your health insurance policy, simply get a quote online or call us on 0808 115 3157.
Our health insurance cover options
Our private health insurance puts you in control with the choice of two products that you can adapt to suit your needs.
Comprehensive health insurance
Covers private diagnosis and treatment
This is our highest level of health insurance cover that offers private diagnosis, treatment and aftercare for all your eligible medical needs.
Treatment and care health insurance
Covers private treatment only
This cover option is for people who are happy to be diagnosed by the NHS but would like to receive treatment privately.
Learn more about private health insurance
Our useful guides are here to help you understand the fundamentals of health insurance. We also cover a number of key health topics – such as looking after yourself as a parent and taking care of your children’s health.
How to choose health insurance
Knowing what to look for in a policy will help you choose the right cover for you.
Health insurance: what is covered?
See what is and isn't usually covered by health insurance policies.
How does private medical insurance work?
See answers to some common questions about how health insurance works.
Health insurance cost
Find out how much health insurance costs and what you get for your money.
We don’t just provide health insurance.
We have a range of products and services designed with your health in mind.
Health cash plans. Spread the cost.
Pay as you go healthcare.
Health assessments
Call us
01134950976^
^ Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 12:30pm. We may record or monitor our calls.
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
^We may record or monitor our calls. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm.
†As of May 2021, this analysis is based on an internally conducted review of the consumer health insurance market using publicly available information from the major insurers in the UK consumer health insurance market. Combined, Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva and Vitality hold approximately 90% of the Gross Written Premium income of UK PMI providers. Refers to standard mental health cover when this is included in the selected consumer health insurance product.
See PDF How we compare: Individuals (PDF 1MB)
‡With Bupa full cancer cover, there are no limits on how long your treatment lasts or how much it costs, for as long as you have Bupa health cover. If you set a maximum benefit limit, either for each policy year or the full length of time that you’re with us, we’ll cover eligible costs until you reach your limit. You must use a hospital or health centre from the Bupa network and a consultant that we recognise and charges within Bupa rates (a fee-assured consultant).
††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). We can then refer you to a consultant or therapist through the Direct Access service. Always call us first to check your eligibility.
‡‡Access to eligible breakthrough cancer drugs and treatments often before they are available on the NHS or approved by NICE as long as they are evidence-based. Applies to eligible cancer drugs and treatments covered by your policy. Bupa will not fund for genetic testing when used solely for the purpose of screening. Bupa Anytime HealthLine and Digital GP are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority.
†††Customers who live in the Isle of Man, or have a Bupa Standard, Bupa Premium or Bupa Your Choice policy, do not have access to Digital GP provided by Babylon, but can access GP24, provided by HealthHero. Some corporate schemes don't include access to Digital GP or GP24, please check your scheme documents or give us a call.
Digital GP services, Bupa health and wellbeing plans and Bupa Private GP services are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Digital GP services are provided by Babylon Healthcare Services Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 09229684. Registered office: 60 Sloane Avenue, London SW3 3DD
Bupa health and wellbeing plans and Bupa Private GP services are provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ
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.
