Is private health insurance worth it in the UK?

Private health insurance can be worth it if faster access to diagnosis and treatment would make a real difference to you. It does n’t replace the NHS, but it can help you avoid waiting times for non-urgent care and give you more choice over when and where you are treated. For many people, the value comes from speed, reassurance and flexibility rather than replacing public healthcare.

How much does private health insurance cost in the UK?

The cost of private health insurance depends on your age, location, health and the level of cover you choose. Basic plans can start from around £30 a month, while more comprehensive plans can cost significantly more. Choosing a higher excess or limiting outpatient cover can help reduce the cost, but it is important to balance price with what you actually need .

What does private health insurance cover?

Most private health insurance policies cover acute conditions that can be treated and improved. This usually includes specialist consultations, tests and scans, and hospital treatment or surgery. More comprehensive plans may also include outpatient care, mental health support and cancer treatment, but cover varies between insurers.

What is not covered by private health insurance?

Private health insurance does n’t cover everything. Most policies exclude emergency treatment, pre-existing conditions, chronic conditions and routine pregnancy care. Understanding what is not covered is just as important as understanding what is included, so you know what to expect if you need to claim.

Can I get private health insurance with a pre-existing condition?

Yes, you can usually still take out private health insurance if you have a pre-existing condition. However, treatment for that condition is normally excluded from cover, at least to begin with. In some cases, insurers may review or include conditions after a set period without symptoms, but this depends on the insurer and policy.

Does private health insurance replace the NHS?

No. Private health insurance works alongside the NHS, not instead of it. The NHS remains the main provider for emergency care and long-term treatment. Private cover is mainly used for faster access to diagnosis and treatment for non-urgent conditions.

What is the difference between private health insurance and income protection insurance?

Private health insurance pays for medical treatment. Income protection replaces part of your income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. They cover different risks, and some people choose both to protect their health and their finances.

Private Health Insurance

Faster access to treatment, alongside the NHS

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What is private health insurance?

Private health insurance - also called private medical insurance (PMI) - helps pay for the cost of private medical treatment if you become ill.

It works alongside the NHS, not instead of it. Most policies focus on acute conditions - illnesses or injuries that are likely to improve with treatment. This can include:

specialist consultations

tests and scans (such as MRI or CT)

surgery and hospital treatment

Without insurance, private treatment can be expensive to pay for yourself. Private health insurance can help make the cost more manageable by spreading it over time.

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Compare private health insurance quotes

Why people choose private health insurance

Many people take out private health insurance to:

get faster access to diagnosis and treatment

have more choice of hospital or specialist

avoid long waiting times for non‑urgent care.

The NHS remains the main provider of emergency and ongoing care. Private health insurance is about speed, choice and comfort, not replacing the NHS.

What private health insurance usually covers

What’s covered depends on the policy and insurer, but most plans include:

in‑patient treatment (hospital stays and surgery)

day‑patient treatment

tests and diagnostic scans.

More comprehensive plans may also cover:

out‑patient consultations

physiotherapy and rehabilitation

mental health treatment

cancer care (subject to limits).

Higher levels of cover usually mean higher premiums.

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What private health insurance usually doesn’t cover

Private health insurance does not cover everything. Most policies exclude:

emergency treatment (covered by the NHS)

pre‑existing conditions

chronic or long‑term conditions (after diagnosis)

routine pregnancy and childbirth

cosmetic treatment.

Understanding exclusions is just as important as understanding what’s included.

Pre‑existing conditions and private health insurance

Private health insurance usually covers conditions that start after your policy begins.

If you already have a medical condition, you can still usually take out private health insurance. However, treatment for that pre‑existing condition is normally excluded from cover.

A pre‑existing condition can include any illness, injury or symptom you had before your policy started - even if it wasn’t formally diagnosed.

Some insurers may be more flexible in certain situations. For example, if the condition was minor, or if you’ve had no symptoms, treatment or medication for several years.

In these cases, an insurer may agree to cover the condition, but this varies by insurer and policy.

How pre‑existing conditions are handled depends on the type of underwriting used and the insurer’s rules. This is one of the main reasons advice can be helpful when choosing private health insurance.

Do I need private health insurance?

Private health insurance isn’t right for everyone. It may be worth considering if you:

want faster access to tests or surgery

are concerned about waiting times

value choice over where and when you’re treated.

It may be less suitable if you are happy to rely fully on the NHS and are mainly concerned about emergencies or long‑term care

Some people can also access private healthcare through employer schemes, which can reduce the cost.

Types of private health insurance plans

Basic plans

Basic plans usually cover hospital treatment and surgery, and limited or no out‑patient cover. They are designed to keep costs down while covering the most expensive treatments.

More comprehensive plans

Enhanced plans may include out‑patient consultations, diagnostics, mental health support and broader cancer cover. These plans cost more but offer wider access and fewer gaps.

How much does private health insurance cost?

Private health insurance premiums are influenced by:

your age

where you live

your medical history

the level of cover you choose

your excess (the amount you pay towards a claim)

Choosing the right balance can make a big difference to cost.

Illustrative examples

The cost of private health insurance varies based on age, location, health, cover level and excess.

Our examples below show illustrative price ranges for health insurance – with £250 excess and full cancer treatment coverage on a guided care plan*. Prices can vary considerably depending on the specific cover options you choose, as well as your age and medical history and location.

Age	Lower range (basic plans1)	Upper range (comprehensive plans2)
35	From £30.97	to 54.96 a month
45	From £38.74	to £71.76 a month
55	From £55.21	to £100.01 a month
65	From £85.25	to £151.64 a month

Most ‘basic’ plans don’t include ‘outpatient cover’, but some standard plans include this, up to specified limits, there are options to extend it higher, and most comprehensive plans include unlimited outpatient care/costs. LifeSearch will always recommend including an element of out-patients cover. Don’t worry, we’ll also give you the cost breakdown so that you can make an informed choice.