There are different benefits on a UK health insurance policy. Depending on what you want to claim for, you may need to have a GP referral. Some policies will let you self-refer in certain circumstances such as for musculoskeletal claims. Insurers such as Bupa will even let you self-refer if you think you have symptoms of cancer. Speak to your health insurance broker if you want to know the best way to make a claim on your policy.

For most claims you will need a GP referral. This can be from your NHS GP or from a private GP. Many UK insurers now also provide you with access to a private GP via a mobile phone app or video/telephone consultation. Some claims do not require a GP referral, such as musculoskeletal claims (relating to joints, bones & muscles). You will need to check your policy to see which claims do not require a GP referral.

As a consumer/SME company scheme, it really will depend on the condition itself. How long since you were diagnosed? Do you still have treatments or check-ups relating to your pre-existing condition?

If you already have a policy in place, is the condition already declared as an exclusion?

There is not an easy answer to this question however, in some cases, it is possible to obtain cover for pre-existing conditions. The underwriting type you choose will also play a big part in the answer.

If you are joining a corporate company paid scheme that has Medical History Disregarded (MHD) underwriting then you will have cover for conditions diagnosed before the policy start date. The chronic condition terms and conditions will still apply.

A chronic condition is a medical condition that has no known cure. It may need constant medication and be persistent and long lasting. If it does go away, it may come back and you might have to be specially trained to be able to cope with it.

Health insurance in the UK does not cover the routine monitoring and medication for chronic conditions as standard, although there are policies that allow some limited level of cover for them.

If you have a policy in place prior to diagnosis, your policy will pay for a number of things. Essentially, consultations, diagnostic testing and treatment up until a diagnosis has been made. Once diagnosed, your treatment will be dealt with via the NHS. Your private health insurance would cover acute flare ups in this scenario.

As a consumer/SME company scheme, it really will depend on the condition itself. How long since you were diagnosed? Do you still have treatments or check-ups relating to your pre-existing condition?

If you already have a policy in place, is the condition already declared as an exclusion?

There is not an easy answer to this question however, in some cases, it is possible to obtain cover for pre-existing conditions. The underwriting type you choose will also play a big part in the answer.

If you are joining a corporate company paid scheme that has Medical History Disregarded (MHD) underwriting then you will have cover for conditions diagnosed before the policy start date. The chronic condition terms and conditions will still apply.

You certainly can, although it may be worth looking at personal cover too. A single person company scheme might limit your options of insurer.

A cash plan is a really popular employee benefit option. It provides employees with cashback on their everyday healthcare costs such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment. The premiums for a cash plan are low, so the p11d liability to employees is far less than it would be for private medical insurance.

You certainly can, although it may be worth looking at personal cover too. A single person company scheme might limit your options of insurer.

Here in the UK we have a great NHS system however, you may choose private medical insurance for a number of reasons. Maybe the most important is the speedy access to diagnostics and medical treatment when you need it most. Perhaps it’s the fact you can have your own room, longer visiting hours, and more comfortable surroundings all play a part, too. Being able to choose your consultant and hospital, along with arranging appointment times when they are convenient to you, are also key decision drivers.

If there is a medical emergency this is dealt with by the NHS. UK health insurance does not cover you for A & E treatment. This is because many of the private hospitals do not have the facilities available. For all accident and emergency situations you will need to use the NHS, even if you have a private health insurance policy in place.

As an individual health insurance client you will be asked your smoking status. If you are an ex-smoker, you will need to confirm how many years since you smoked or used nicotine products. Many health insurance companies will adjust your premium to reflect your smoking status and a smoker would expect to pay a slightly higher premium.

If you are buying a company health insurance policy, you are not asked to declare the smoking status of your employees. On this basis, there is no difference in premium for smokers and non-smokers who are insured on a company policy.

The majority of UK health insurers offer excellent cover for cancer treatment. You can opt to reduce your cancer cover in some cases if you are happy to rely on the NHS. Many people want to know that their policy will offer full cancer treatment through to end-of-life care should the worst happen.

The cancer cover available from each insurer is specified clearly in their literature. You can see at a glance all the benefits you are able to access as a private health insurance policy holder, for the treatment of cancer.

No, there is no age limit for health insurance cover in the UK, although your options to switch provider may become limited. If you have a policy in place, your insurer will not cancel your cover because you have reached a certain age.

If you are new to private medical insurance you may find that not all insurers will offer you a policy once you are 74 or over.

A chronic condition is a medical condition that has no known cure. It may need constant medication and be persistent and long lasting. If it does go away, it may come back and you might have to be specially trained to be able to cope with it.

Health insurance in the UK does not cover the routine monitoring and medication for chronic conditions as standard, although there are policies that allow some limited level of cover for them.

If you have a policy in place prior to diagnosis, your policy will pay for a number of things. Essentially, consultations, diagnostic testing and treatment up until a diagnosis has been made. Once diagnosed, your treatment will be dealt with via the NHS. Your private health insurance would cover acute flare ups in this scenario.

Private health insurance is an annual contract. You can only cancel your policy mid-term under very specific circumstances. This applies to both Consumer and Business health insurance.

Yes, private health insurance, private medical insurance and PMI are essentially the same thing.

Health insurance is a policy designed to help you access and spread the cost of private medical treatment. You can pay your premium on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Once you have a policy in place you will have quick access to private medical consultations, diagnostic tests and treatment. The cover level that you choose will determine the benefits and options you have access to.

Yes, you can. If you want to buy a private medical insurance policy and you are 65 or older, there are still some really great options available for you.

As a consumer/SME company scheme, it really will depend on the condition itself. How long since you were diagnosed? Do you still have treatments or check-ups relating to your pre-existing condition?

If you already have a policy in place, is the condition already declared as an exclusion?

There is not an easy answer to this question however, in some cases, it is possible to obtain cover for pre-existing conditions. The underwriting type you choose will also play a big part in the answer.

If you are joining a corporate company paid scheme that has Medical History Disregarded (MHD) underwriting then you will have cover for conditions diagnosed before the policy start date. The chronic condition terms and conditions will still apply.

To find out if you are eligible to buy a UK policy you will need to speak to your insurer. Each insurer has their own rules for buying a UK health insurance policy.  Do you spend much of your time abroad or have you only just moved to the UK?  It is advisable to check whether there are limitations to the days spent outside of the UK, or whether you need to be registered with a NHS GP for a specific time period prior to buying a policy.

If you do not meet the UK criteria, you will have the option of international private medical insurance.

Yes, there are a number of ways in which you can reduce your premiums. When you want to reduce the cost of your health insurance, speak to a specialist health insurance broker to find out the best way to do this. Depending on your current policy and any pre-existing medical conditions, you may have to look at specific options.

If you want a quote for private medical insurance you have a number of options available. You can speak directly to the insurer, use a cost comparison website or work with a specialist broker. If you have questions about pre-existing conditions, speaking to a specialist will help you make the right choice because cover may differ between insurers.

Yes, you can add an excess to your policy and this will reduce the premium you pay. The excess is the amount you agree to pay if you make a claim. The higher the excess you choose, the lower your monthly/quarterly/annual premium will be. Excesses are normally per person, per policy year, but in some cases you can have the excess per person, per claim.

Your health insurance cost will depend on a number of factors.

For consumers, the cost will depend on your age, where you live, the policy benefits you choose and your smoking status. If you already have a policy in place, your claims history will also be a factor. Adding an excess to your policy will reduce the annual cost of your policy.

For businesses, the cost will depend on the number of people to be covered, the age profile of your group and the postcode of your company. Again, if you have a policy in place, your group claims experience will be a factor. Just like consumers, adding an excess will reduce the annual cost of your policy.

Your choice of hospital coverage and underwriting will also make a difference to the health insurance cost on both options.

When you buy your Health Insurance policy you will be offered different underwriting choices. The option you take will have an effect on the premium you pay.

Underwriting is a way for the insurer to review your previous medical and health history. They can then decide whether any terms (exclusions) will be applied to your policy.