Application
If you decide that you wish to purchase private health insurance, you will need to consider the type of cover you need. It may be that you want only a basic policy, to cover consultants' fees or physiotherapy; alternatively, you may want a full range of cover for all aspects of healthcare such as chemotherapy or a private ambulance. There are a wide range of health insurance providers each offering a variety of policies. Any exceptions to cover, and the monthly premium you are required to pay, will depend on your medical history.
To find a suitable insurance provider, ask friends and family for recommendations. You could also ask your GP: medical practitioners are aware of the demands on the NHS and how important peace of mind can be to their patients. They may be able to highlight the key areas of cover which may be useful, such as a private room in hospital or quicker treatment for serious illnesses. You can also search on the internet: typing your keywords ('private' 'health' 'insurance' 'UK') into a search engine will give you a list of providers.
In order to select the appropriate cover for your situation, it is important that you consider and compare several different policies. Take the time to read the small print of each policy: many private health insurance providers promote certain aspects of their policies but fail to highlight other points, such as a large excess to pay on a claim, see Private Insurance Costs. Check that the policy offers you the cover you want, and consider also the cover it offers that you do not require: it may be possible to negotiate a cheaper policy if you reduce the level of cover. For further details see Services & Cover.
If you decide on a policy, you will need to contact the relevant insurance provider. They will send you an application form, or take your application details over the telephone. When they have your initial application they will usually contact you if they have any further questions: they may need details of your previous medical history, for example. Typically your insurer will also contact your GP to check that any medical details you have given are accurate. Once your insurance provider has a clear overview of your state of health and cover needs, they will send you a quotation. At this point you can see the actual cost of your private health insurance: any previous estimates will typically be inaccurate because they cannot take all your individual details into account.
The quotation you are sent should give details of the cover you are being offered, and also detail the exceptions to your cover: typically pre-existing and incurable conditions will not be covered. For further details see Exclusions.
