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Health insurance, often called private medical insurance, is an insurance policy that covers the costs of private healthcare, from diagnosis to treatment. It 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 health insurance as it gives you quick access to medical treatment.

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.

The level of cover you’ll get will depend on the policy you take out. For some policies, you’ll need to go through initial diagnosis and get a referral from the NHS before you’re able to claim any private treatment. Other more comprehensive policies include consultations and tests to help diagnose your condition. 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.

There are general exclusions which are not covered as standard within our health insurance policies, for example the long-term treatment and monitoring of chronic conditions, (except mental health and cancer) or cosmetic surgery.

We’ll also need to know about any pre-existing conditions or symptoms you may have. Pre-existing conditions won’t affect the cost of your policy, but they may affect what your policy will cover you for.

Details of the full list of exclusions can be found in the Bupa By You policy benefits and terms (PDF, 0.9MB).

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Whether it’s getting the help you need faster, or for cancer care, we’re proud to give you nothing less than health expertise.

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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 will 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. For rolling moratorium underwritten members we will ask for evidence each time you claim for a condition not claimed for before. Always call us first to check your eligibility.

††As of September 2023, this comparison to other products in the market is based on Bupa’s and Defaqto’s interpretation of the differences between 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 (PDF 0.1MB)

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, Everyday Rewards by Bupa and Digital GP are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority.

†††Customers who live on the Isle of Man do not have access to Bupa Blua Health, but can access GP24 provided by HealthHero. Some corporate schemes don't include access to Bupa Blua Health or GP24, so please check your scheme documents or give us a call.

†††† Bupa Blua Health prescriptions are private, so you’ll need to pay for your medication. There’s no extra charge for ‘click and collect’ from a local pharmacy or for delivery to your door. Collection is usually available with 60 minutes, depending on your pharmacy opening hours, and selected pharmacies are open at weekends. Depending on your location, delivery to your door can be within 24 or 48 hours (other than on bank holidays).

Everyday Rewards by Bupa is promoted by Bupa Investments Limited, 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ and administered by Paragon Customer Communications Limited, Evolution House, 12 Choats Road, Barking, Dagenham, RM9 6BF. Terms and conditions can be found at bupa-rewards.bupa.co.uk/terms-conditions

Bupa Investments Limited and Paragon Customer Communications Limited will use your information for the purposes of the administration of Everyday Rewards. For details of how your information will be processed by Bupa, please visit:bupa.co.uk/privacy

Bupa Anytime HealthLine is provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ

Bupa Blua Health is provided by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, registered in England and Wales with number 3829851. Digital GP services are powered by eMed Healthcare UK Limited, registered in England and Wales with number 15086104, Registered Office: 184-192 Drummond Street, London, England, NW1 3HP.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland introduces Bupa health insurance.

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. 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.

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