Bupa Health Insurance

Bupa is a household name, synonymous with healthcare and health insurance, with over 31 million customers and around 83,000 employees across the globe. Bupa is a private company limited by guarantee, with no shareholders. Bupa reinvests all profits back into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers. Health insurance accounts for the majority of the business, but they also operate some clinics, dental centres and hospitals. Bupa’s origins and global headquarters are in the UK, in London.

The History of Bupa

Bupa – originally called the Biritsh United Provident Association - was founded on 3 April 1947, with the founding purpose to ‘prevent, relieve and cure sickness and ill-health of every kind’. Prior to the initiation of Britain’s NHS in 1947, the Country’s health system functioned on a part voluntary and part state funded basis. At the core of this health system model was the creation of Provident clubs, which originated in the early 1920’s. The first of these clubs, the British Provident Association, was brought to the surface by eminent doctors and those who ran hospitals to help provide treatment for industrial workers and individuals on modest incomes in times of sickness.

The growth of the British Provident Association was immense and its success spurred the creation of the Oxford Provident Association. Then the Second World War threw the system into flux when an increased demand for a ‘free’ national health system, financed from general taxation, grew.

In 1945, legislation nationalised local authority and voluntary hospitals and free medical treatment was made available to all British residents. Nonetheless, it still preserved the voluntary system and allowed people to make arrangements for private treatment. This in turn led to the 1946 meeting of 89 organisations, including 32 provident associations. Following this meeting, in 1947, seventeen of the associations joined forces as a company limited by guarantee, and named themselves the British United Provident Association Limited, or Bupa as it is now commonly known.

Bupa Insurance Policy Review

Bupa offers two types of health insurance, comprehensive and treatment and care. Comprehensive health insurance covers both private diagnosis and treatment. Treatment and Care cover is for people who are happy to be diagnosed by the NHS but would like to receive treatment privately.

Bupa Core Cover

Included as a base to your cover are the following benefits. Additional optional extras are available to enhance your policy to suit your individual requirements (these are listed below).

Benefit	Details
In-patient treatment	Hospital charges, surgeons/anaesthetics/specialist consultants fees will all be paid in full. Up to 28 days a year of mental health treatment and all tests and scans such as MRIs, X-rays, PET scans and CT scans will be paid in full for Comprehensive. For Treatment & Care plans this will be limited to six months after inpatient treatment.
Out-patient treatment	Bupa By You Comprehensive cover pays for all eligible outpatient treatment in full up to your chosen limit. The Treatment & Care policy covers only inpatient treatment. Outpatient cover limit choices are: £500, £1000, Unlimited Comprehensive cover also includes out-patient therapies such as physiotherapy for eligible treatment. Either paid in full or up to your combined out-patient benefit limit.
Home Treatment	Treatment at home is available for certain eligible treatments such as chemotherapy.
Private Ambulance	Private ambulance if you need eligible private in or day patient treatment and an ambulance is medically necessary for travel.
Parent Accommodation	Bupa will pay for each night a parent needs to stay in hospital with their child, if the child is covered under the health insurance policy and is under 17 years of age.
Dental Care	One Bupa Dental Care appointment every year, for everyone on your policy. Everyone covered on the policy has a £300 allowance each towards restorative treatments, which includes things like crowns, fillings or bridges.

Bupa Optional Extras

Additional optional extras are available to enhance your policy to suit your individual requirements:

Optional Benefit	Details
Complementary Therapies	Such as osteopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture
Dental Cover 20	Routine check-ups, fllings and emergency treatment

Optional Benefit

Details

Complementary Therapies

Such as osteopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture

Dental Cover 20

Routine check-ups, fllings and emergency treatment

Accident and emergency treatment
Allergies, allergic disorders or food intolerances
Birth control, conception, sexual problems and gender reassignment
Chronic conditions
Cosmetic treatment
Contamination, wars, riots and some terrorist acts
Treatment for Alcoholism or Substance abuse
Pregnancy and childbirth
Infertility treatment
Overseas treatment and repatriation
Pre-existing conditions
Gender reassignment

Factors that Impact the Pricing of Bupa Health Insurance

As with all health insurance providers, Bupa Health Insurance has a variety of factors that can impact the cost of your private health insurance, some within your control and some beyond it.

Bupa offers two ‘core’ policies, including "Treatment and Care", an entry-level option, and "Comprehensive", which gives you access to a broader range of treatments and coverage.

As well as these initial types, here are some factors Bupa considers when they create a quote for you:

Your age: Health insurance premiums typically rise as you age, particularly as you approach and enter retirement. It’s beneficial to secure insurance early to manage costs effectively.
Your employment status: Whether you’re a student, in full-time employment, or happily retired will impact the price of your health insurance cover.
Where you live: People living in big cities, like London, Manchester, and Birmingham often face higher medical treatment costs which can reflect in higher insurance premiums.
Your excess: A higher excess generally lowers your premiums at Bupa.
Consultant choice: Bupa, like other leading insurers, offers options concerning consultant access. You can choose a restricted network for potential savings or opt for unrestricted access.
Hospital list: Bupa has an approved list of hospitals you can attend on both the ‘Treatment and Care’ option and their ‘Comprehensive’ plans. Costs vary across private hospitals, especially those in central London. Adding other hospitals outside of this list can increase costs.
No-claims discount: Bupa provides a no-claims discount that grows with each claim-free year. The more years you have with no-claims, the cheaper your insurance will be.
Additional cover: Expanding your coverage to include add-ons such as mental health cover, dental cover, and therapy cover will increase your Bupa premium.
Inflation and rising costs: The general increase in the cost of goods and services, including medical treatments, contributes to the annual rise in health insurance costs.
Your personal medical history: Factors such as having pre-existing conditions, being a smoker, or living an unhealthy lifestyle may affect your policy costs.
Dependents: Adding family members such as your partner or your kids to your policy will increase the overall cost (see below for more information about family cover and cover for couples).

Understanding these factors can help you tailor your Bupa health insurance policy to meet your needs while managing costs effectively. For a personalised Bupa quote based on your circumstances, reach out to our expert advisors who can discuss your individual pricing and options.

Average Bupa Health Insurance Pricing Across Various Age Groups in 2024

Your age plays a significant role in setting the cost of your Bupa personal health insurance. As we age, our healthcare needs tend to increase because our bodies might need more attention due to age-related health issues.

Therefore, health insurance premiums with Bupa are generally higher for older individuals compared to younger ones. Another key point to keep in mind is that Bupa health insurance mainly covers new medical conditions that develop after you sign up, not pre-existing conditions.

Age influences health insurance premiums because insurers view older individuals as higher risk, which is why premiums increase with age. To see how this affects costs, check out the table below for the average cost of Bupa health insurance by age group in 2024.

Average Cost of Bupa Health Insurance in 2024

Applicants' Age	Monthly Premium
30-years-old	£22.29
40-years-old	£30
50-years-old	£42.47
60-years-old	£57.05
70-years-old	£89.69

Bupa Health Insurance Cost For Families

For young or expanding families, opting for family private health insurance with Bupa is a wise decision. It ensures that every family member, from the youngest to the oldest, receives quick and effective medical care without breaking the bank.

Having one policy for the entire family simplifies managing everything from emergencies to routine health check-ups, including mental health cover, cancer cover, therapy cover, and dental care. Choosing to invest in family health insurance, regardless of the provider, is a smart move that helps keep your loved ones healthy and ensures that everyone has access to quality private medical care whenever it's needed.

Curious about the cost? Check the table below for the average rates for Bupa Health Insurance for a family of three or four in 2024. Remember — with Bupa, you only pay for the oldest child, so these average figures are the same.

How Much Does Bupa Health Insurance Cost for a Family of 3?

Applicants' Age	Monthly Premium
30-years-old	£54.26
40-years-old	£69.68
50-years-old	£94.62
60-years-old	£123.78
70-years-old	£189.06

How Much Does Bupa Health Insurance Cost for a Family of 4?

The price at Bupa for a family of 3 and of 4 is the same, because adding more than one child under 20 years old to your policy means you'll only pay for the eldest. This means that you can have a family of 5, 6, or more children without paying extra.

Applicants' Age	Monthly Premium
30-years-old	£54.26
40-years-old	£69.68
50-years-old	£94.62
60-years-old	£123.78
70-years-old	£189.06

Bupa Health Insurance Cost For Couples

Bupa offers comprehensive protection that covers both preventative care and treatments for sudden illnesses, providing peace of mind for couples looking for private health insurance.

By combining your coverage into one plan, you often reduce paperwork and might even save on premiums compared to individual policies. This means you and your partner can manage your health needs together, making it easier to coordinate appointments and treatments.

With Bupa, you’re not just investing in health insurance; you’re investing in a healthier, worry-free life together, ensuring that both of you have the support you need when it matters most.

But how much does Bupa Health Insurance cost for couples? Check out our estimates in the table below.

How Much Does Bupa Health Insurance Cost for Couples?

Applicants' Age	Monthly Premium
30-years-old	£44.58
40-years-old	£60
50-years-old	£84.94
60-years-old	£114.10
70-years-old	£179.38

Disclaimer — *Prices based on a new moratorium policy mid-level 200 excess outside London, April 2024 start date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Bupa cover cancer care?

Bupa offer three different levels of cancer cover on their Bupa By You policies: Full Cancer Cover and No Cancer Cover. Bupa’s full cancer cover option covers you for all eligible inpatient and outpatient treatment. The No Cancer Cover option covers you for no cancer treatment, therefore you would use the NHS. More on cancer cover.

Does Bupa offer a Digital GP?

Bupa offer a 24/7 virtual GP app accessible to all policy holders. The app aims to give you an appointment within two hours of requesting one. Not only does the app allow you to speak to a GP from the comfort of your own home, but you can also book an appointment with an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and a Prescribing Pharmacist.

Does Bupa cover Mental Health?

Bupa claim to cover more mental health conditions than any other insurer. Bupa By You covers all mental health conditions except dementia, learning, behavioural and developmental conditions. Bupa have a dedicated helpline team of mental health support nurses who will be able to guide you and offer advice.

What does Bupa not cover?

Like most leading insurers, Bupa health insurance is intended to cover acute conditions as opposed to chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Acute flare ups may be covered, providing it is not excluded in the underwriting. All exclusions will be listed in your policy documents.

What are Bupa’s excess options?

Bupa's excess options range from £0 to £2,000. The excess is only to be paid once per year, meaning you can have multiple claims but only have to pay your excess once. The excess options you choose will impact the premium you pay – the higher your excess, the lower the premium you pay will be.

What does Bupa outpatient cover?

Comprehensive cover pays for all medical care not requiring a hospital bed, up to your outpatient limit. When setting up your policy you can choose the level of cover you wish, starting at £500 to unlimited cover. This will cover you for consultations, tests and scans, mental health treatment and therapies. Should you opt for Bupa’s “Treatment and Care” option, you will be covered for your inpatient treatment and therapies such as physiotherapy.

Why Compare Health & Life Insurance with us?

Here at Usay Compare, we can help you to compare prices and cover from the market leading UK health and life insurance companies such as Aviva, AXA and Bupa. Our service is completely free of charge and we are totally independent and impartial.

Our team of friendly, expert advisers are on the end of the phone, ready to guide you easily through the whole process. They will get to know your unique individual requirements, do all the hard work comparing prices and policies for you; then advise on the best and most cost-effective quote.

The History of Bupa

Bupa Insurance Policy Review

Bupa Key Benefits

Bupa Core Cover

Bupa Optional Extras

What isn't covered?

Perks

Underwriting Options

Excess Options

How to make a claim