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10 Tips To Help You Choose The Right UK Health Insurance

February 26, 2025

The process of selecting the right UK health insurance can be stressful. What should you look for in a policy? What should you take into consideration before choosing a plan? Not to worry, the team at The Private Healthcare Company is here to explore the easiest way of how to choose a health insurance plan. Not only are we here to help you find a plan, but one that ideally suits your needs and budget.

Types of UK health insurance plans available

Let’s start by identifying the different types of UK health insurance cover:

1. Core cover

• This plan covers in-patient and day-patient treatment (e.g. hospital stays, surgery and associated care)

• Normally excludes outpatient consultations and diagnostic tests

• In most instances, this will provide cover for comprehensive cancer treatment

• Great for those seeking essential private treatment, while using the NHS for diagnostics and GP services

2. Mid-range private medical insurance

• Ideal cover for balancing affordability with comprehensive care

• Provides in-patient and day-patient cover

• Optional benefits for out-patient treatments, including specialist consultations and diagnostic tests (e.g. MRI scans, X-rays and blood tests)

• May include access to physiotherapy and mental health services

3. Comprehensive private medical insurance

• Top tier level cover providing the best access to treatment available

• Provides cover for comprehensive cancer treatment

• Provides in-patient and day-patient cover, along with full outpatient treatment including specialist consultations, tests and therapies

• Most plans include access to mental health support, physiotherapy and alternative therapies

• Certain policies offer additional benefits such as private GP access, routine dental and optical treatment

What to consider when choosing health insurance

Take into consideration your current health and family history before deciding on the ideal insurance plan.

1. Understand your healthcare needs

Review your medical history and determine what cover matches your needs. It’s also important to document any pre-existing conditions or ongoing treatments to select a plan that provides the best possible support. By understanding your needs you’ll be able to pinpoint the services and policy that best caters to your individual requirements.

2. Evaluate Costs

Prioritise your budget; it may be tempting to receive fully comprehensive cover packed with benefits but make sure it’s relevant to your health and budget. Many plans will offer affordable monthly payments but it's crucial to make sure the costs and services align with what you need.

3. Review the network of private healthcare providers

When reviewing UK health insurance plans consider factors such as coverage options, cost, customer service and the benefits most relevant to your health needs. Whether you simply require in-patient and day-patient service, or something more comprehensive such as specialist treatment, mental health support or alternative therapies, it’s important to compare providers to see which policy best suits you. This process involves looking at policy exclusions, hospital networks and additional benefits. Customer reviews and industry ratings can be a useful resource in guiding your decision. It’s also important to understand premiums and how they increase over time, before deciding on the right provider.

4. Health insurance coverage

Take a close look at each coverage policy and the benefits unique to that plan. There’s a variety of different insurance plans, so it’s important to do the research and choose between cover that’s beneficial and relevant to your health.

5. Optional extras

UK health insurance plans are all different. This requires you to look closely into the optional extras that come with each policy. Some plans may come with extras directly related to your health such dental, optical, mental health services, nutritional advice, no claims discounts and other extras you may be able to include in a customised packaged.

6. Additional health insurance plan benefits

Review the benefits of each private UK health insurance plan and see what they offer. You might find unique rewards within each plan. Some plans provide bonuses, promotions or offers that may appeal to you. Many private health insurance providers offer a rewards program with deals on gym memberships, healthy food and different activities.

7. Note what exclusions apply with each policy

It’s important to understand your policy and the limits to the services it offers. Pay attention to any exclusions or anything that may affect your healthcare needs. There may be restrictions to reimbursable expenses, private consultations, prescriptions or limits for those with chronic conditions.

8. What underwriting options are there?

The process of medical underwriting involves providing your health history. This health assessment provides insurers with the necessary information to structure their policy and potential costs. There are two types of medical underwriting:

Full medical underwriting: You’ll need to fill out a comprehensive questionnaire about your medical history and provide insurers with access to your medical history. This questionnaire may include questions about any pre-existing conditions, medications and lifestyle. Based on the medical information you provide, the insurance company will determine whether any exclusions apply to your policy.

Moratorium underwriting: This process does not require a comprehensive health assessment. It applies a moratorium period to pre-existing conditions, so they won’t be covered initially in your plan. Any pre-existing conditions from the last five years will be excluded. You will need to go two consecutive years from the start date of the policy to gain cover for something pre-existing.

Switch underwriting (CME/CMORI): This underwriting option is available with most providers for people who currently hold a Private Medical Insurance policy. It typically offers the most favourable terms for those looking to switch providers. This option will ask a smaller handful of medical questions and therefore reduces the risk of medical exclusions being applied to a plan.

9. Review what customers are saying about providers

Another important aspect of research is seeing what customers have to say about an insurance provider. Are the reviews negative or positive? Do any of the reviews relate to health services you might require? When deciding how to choose private health insurance, a quick look at customer reviews can go a long way.

10. Buy a policy before you need it

It’s best to take proactive measures when it comes to your health. If you wait until you start feeling poorly it can affect the type of coverage and price plan you receive. The benefits of private UK health insurance ensure you receive access to specialist treatment tailored to your needs without delay.

By grouping together all your private family health insurance policies, you can enjoy significant cost savings, especially compared to individual policies for each person.

Looking for health insurance? See how The Private Healthcare Company can help!

The Private Healthcare Company can work alongside you to determine exactly what you need from a policy and build an affordable insurance plan that suits you. Our helpful team can assist you in finding private or family health insurance. We take the stress out of comparing plans and offer you the best available options. Contact us and a member of our team will respond quickly to all enquiries. Give us a call on 01242 575 466 or send us an email at info@the-phc.com to receive a quote. See firsthand how much we can help you save on UK health insurance.