Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Will My Health Insurance Policy Cover Me For Coronavirus?
Coronavirus is a public health emergency and as such would be treated in A&E. Therefore, it is something that would always be treated on the NHS, not covered by Private Medical Insurance. However, you can use your Private Medical Insurance for advice and support. Some will also offer cash benefits for hospital stays. For more specific COVID-19 FAQ’s, see our COVID-19 latest update page.
Am I covered on my holidays abroad?
Depending on the plan you opt for, there may be some level of cover if you require emergency treatment abroad. Several of our policies allow you to add holiday medical insurance in addition to travel insurance which will cover the cost of lost passports, luggage and holiday cancellations.
What is the difference between the NHS and Private Health Insurance?
As a nation we are fortunate to have a publicly funded health service, giving everyone access to treatment at little to no cost. Due to increasing pressure on the NHS, many people now face long waiting lists and delayed or cancelled treatment.
Whilst receiving private treatment you will not face long waiting lists for treatment, in fact you are likely to be seen within a week or so. Health Insurance offers you access to a choice of hospitals and treatment times that suit you, with overnight stays often being in a private room. More on the NHS and Private Medical Insurance here.
Will pregnancy be covered by Private Medical Insurance?
Private Medical Insurance companies will not cover routine pregnancy. When going into labour, there is no waiting list and you will be seen immediately by the NHS in a private room. However, should there be complications during your pregnancy or childbirth it may be covered depending on the insurer. More information on Family Health Insurance.
Do I have to pay an excess should I need to claim?
This will depend on the whether you added an excess to your policy when setting it up. Excesses are used to reduce your premium – the higher excess option you select, the lower your monthly premiums will be. Talk to one of our expert advisors to ensure you have the best option to suit you. Or read more on excess here.
What are the different underwriting types?
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) requires you to provide your complete medical history – and that of all policyholders when you take out your policy. The information you provide may mean the insurer excludes certain conditions from cover for the lifetime of the policy.
Moratorium Underwriting does not require you to disclose your medical history. However, for the first two years of your policy you will not be covered for anything you’ve had symptoms, treatment, medication, diagnostic tests or advice on, in the past five years before your policy start date. If, after a two-year consecutive period you go symptom, treatment, medication or advice free from that condition, then it will become eligible for cover again. Switching your policy allows you to move from one insurance provider to another and still be covered for medical conditions that you may have had problems within the past. More on underwriting.
What age can a child remain on a family health plan until?
Most insurers will insure a child on the family insurance plan until the age of 21 if they are no longer in full-time education, or 24 if they are.
More on Child Health Insurance policies here.
Can I get cover for my child’s pre-existing condition?
A lot of motivation to look into medical insurance comes from experiencing long waiting lists on the NHS and cancelled or delayed procedures. Depending on the condition, it is unlikely it will be covered on your plan. Although, if your child has a pre-existing condition speak to one of our expert advisors as there are different underwriting options that may suit your needs.
Can I choose where I am treated/my private hospitals?
There are three different options you can choose: Essential, Countrywide and Extended Hospital Lists. Essential lists tend to help lower your premium and covers you to stay in NHS private patient units along with your local private hospitals. The Countrywide list extends the coverage of the Essential list, giving you access to private hospitals and clinics. The Extended list gives you access to the widest access including London private hospitals. More about specific policies here.
Do I need Mental Health cover?
The NHS reported 1 in 4 people suffer mental health problems every year. Private Medical Insurance is designed to give you peace of mind and help when you need it most. Some of our insurers offer Mental Health support lines and Digital GP’s giving you access to help with vastly reduced waiting times.
How can I pay the premium?
Your premium can be paid on a monthly or annual payment plan. The most common way to pay is by direct debit – this method is accepted by all our insurers. Some of our insurers also accept payment by BACS and annual payment by cheque.
I have just had a baby – can I add them to my policy mid-term?
Yes, just notify us or your insurance company and we will add your new-born at no increase to your premium.
Will my premium be higher if I take out an individual policy?
No, generally speaking, the premium you pay is for each individual anyway. Insurers run different offers throughout the year, which sometimes include “Partner Goes Free”, however, there are plenty of offers available to individuals. Speak to one of our expert advisors to find out what discounts you are eligible for. More on reducing premiums here.
What is Small Business Health Insurance?
Small Business Health Insurance provides private cover should you or your employees fall ill. Business Health Insurance is not a legal requirement, however is a key investment in helping you and your employees receive diagnosis and treatment, whilst avoiding long waiting lists. Many businesses purchase cover as it helps their business run more efficiently as employees are likely to be out of work for less time.
Will my premium be affected if I add more employees?
You tend to pay a premium per employee on your plan, however the more employees on your policy, the less you will pay per person as insurers offer higher discounts based on group size.
Can I get cover for cancer treatment should I be diagnosed?
Health Insurance gives you access to the latest cancer treatment, as well as medication and procedures that don’t tend to be obtainable on the NHS. Private cancer care is intended to make your treatment as comfortable as possible by making chemotherapy at home an option, along with home nursing. More on Cancer Cover.
Will I receive the same cancer drugs as I would on the NHS?
The treatment given to you will depend on the cancer you are diagnosed with and what your specialist recommends. Private Health Insurance can give you access to drugs that have proven effective but are not yet available on the NHS.
Can I get cover for my pre-existing condition?
Long NHS waiting lists and cancelled or delayed procedures are a common motivation for initial enquiries into Health Insurance. Depending on the condition, it is unlikely it will be covered on your plan. Although, if you have a pre-existing condition speak to one of our expert advisors as different underwriting options may suit your needs. More on underwriting.
Will my Private Medical Insurance cover emergencies?
Private Health Insurance does not generally cover emergencies. Private hospitals do not have A&E facilities onsite, therefore our NHS hospitals are best equipped in emergency situations. International policies may cover you in emergency situations up to a monetary limit, which will be stated within your policy documents.
What is the 6-week option?
A 6-week option is something we can add to your plan to help reduce your premium. Should the NHS be able to see you within 6-weeks, then you will receive treatment on the NHS and will not have to claim. If the waiting list exceeds 6-weeks, you will be covered to be seen privately straight away. More ways to reduce Health Insurance cost.
Can I reduce my premium?
Yes – we can help you reduce your premium. By speaking to one of our advisors, we can review your cover and ensure you are not paying for anything that is not relevant to your needs. We can also reduce your premium by choosing a reduced or local hospital list, adding a “waiting period” to your plan or choosing a higher excess. More on reducing premiums.
What is not covered by Private Health Insurance?
It is very important you know what will and will not be covered before you take out a policy. Policies are intended to cover acute conditions like cancer, as opposed to chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Most policies will cover acute flare ups providing it is not excluded in the underwriting. Typically the below are not covered:
- Chronic conditions
- Emergency treatment
- HIV/AIDS
- Fertility Treatment
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Pregnancy and childbirth costs
- Organ transplants
- Treatment for alcoholism or substance abuse
Can I cancel the policy?
All insurers have a “cooling off period” usually between 14 and 30 days, allowing you to cancel your policy and any monies debited will be fully refunded. Should you choose to cancel outside of the 'cooling off period', you will need to notify us and we will be able to assist you from there.
Can my child(ren) have their own policy?
Yes – they can have their own policy from any age, we would just need to have a parent/guardian as an alias on the policy. More on Child Health Insurance policies here.
My child has been admitted for an overnight stay in hospital. Will my plan cover my accommodation?
Comprehensive plans may cover overnight stays in accommodation near to where your child has been admitted. Speak to one of our advisors before taking out a policy if this is something you’d like to have covered.
Does Private Medical Insurance cover Mental Health?
Yes – some insurers offer mental health cover as standard or as an add on. By adding mental health cover to your policy, you will be able to skip the NHS queue and access treatments and therapies.
What Mental Health Treatments are covered?
Mental Health cover is split into inpatient and outpatient cover. Inpatient cover will typically cover admission to a psychiatric hospital and assessments, treatments and medications you required whilst admitted. Outpatient care covers therapy sessions, diagnostic sessions and psychiatric assessment.
Do you offer No Claims Discount?
Yes! Some of our insurers offer No Claims Discounts up to 80%.
One of my employees are leaving and would like to continue cover – is this possible?
Yes, we can assist with transferring an employee onto their own individual plan at any point throughout the year. The level of continued cover would depend on the individual’s needs.
Can I cover my family on a business plan?
Yes – in fact, it is normally cheaper to add your family to your business plan as opposed to having your own family plan.
How many employees do I need to have a Company Healthcare Policy
Policies are available from as little as one employee however, to access higher discount rates we recommend having at least 2-3 people on your policy.
Can I add and remove employees throughout the year?
Yes, the plans are flexible in this manner. We can assist with the administration for you – just notify us when necessary.