Best Private Medical Insurance 2025

What is private medical insurance?

Private medical insurance, also known as PMI, is a form of cover which pays part or all of your private medical bills. Unlike when using the NHS, seeking the services of a private medical professional will rack up costs which can make a significant dent in your finances, often totalling thousands of pounds.

In order to mitigate the financial burden, many people choose to take out a comprehensive private medical insurance policy, which can help ensure you’re not left with a hefty bill. Many policies can be tailor-made too, meaning they can cover specific types of surgery and even multiple members of your family.

How does private medical insurance work?

Private medical insurance works in much the same way as other forms of insurance, such as cover for your car. You will pay a monthly or yearly premium for your cover and, in return, if you become sick or injured and need private hospital treatment, you can claim for your medical bills (though it is important to note that some insurers will place a cap on the amount of money they are willing to pay towards your care).

What does private health insurance cover?

Many private medical plans can be tailor-made to your liking, which means they can include cover for specific illnesses, injuries or operations. But broadly speaking, the best private medical insurance in the UK will include cover for the following:

• Consultations
• Diagnostic tests and scans (such as blood tests, MRIs or CT scans)
• Surgery
• Hospital admission
• Medicine not available on the NHS (such as certain cancer drugs)
• Aftercare

These are typically covered as standard, but some policies may include additional aspects of medical care, such as dental treatment, physiotherapy, mental health treatment and complementary therapies. Because policies can vary so much it’s vital to make sure you thoroughly compare medical insurance before making your decision, and double-check the policy document for peace of mind.

What isn’t covered?

You’ll generally only be able to claim for treatment if there’s a “cure” for the condition and you’re likely to recover, and not for anything that’s indefinite or incurable. You won’t normally be covered for:

• Chronic and long-term illnesses (such as asthma or diabetes)
• Pre-existing conditions (unless you pay an additional premium)
• Fertility treatment
• Pregnancy and childbirth (unless there are complications)
• Cosmetic surgery or elective procedures
• Self-inflicted injuries
• Treatment for or as a result of drug or alcohol abuse
• A&E visits
• Routine vaccinations

Even the best private medical insurance in the UK will come with exclusions, so always check the policy document so you know exactly what you’re covered for.

Types of private medical care in the UK

There are typically two main types of private health insurance:

• An individual policy, which provides cover for the individual applicant only, and
• A group policy, such as for couples or family members.

You may also come across group policies for employees, but this will be arranged by your employer.

There are different levels of cover to consider as well, from basic policies to fully comprehensive. For example, some basic policies may cover the cost of treatment but not the initial diagnosis, while others will pay for any diagnostic tests but not treatment, which would need to be self-funded or through the NHS. Comprehensive policies will cover both diagnosis and treatment, with features tailored to suit your needs and budget.

You may also come across cash plans, which are designed to cover routine health and dental expenses. You’ll pay a lower monthly fee but there will be a limit on how much you can claim, and they won’t offer the same kind of coverage as full medical insurance policies.

Cost of private medical insurance

The cost of PMI will vary according to a whole range of factors, including:

• The level of cover you’re getting
• The type of policy you choose (e.g. individual or family policy)
• Your age (premiums will be higher the older you are)
• Your medical history
• Your location

It’s hard to give an accurate figure as the costs can vary so much – if you’re young with no health conditions your premiums may only be a few hundred pounds a year, while an older couple could need to pay thousands. It’s worth looking for ways you can keep the costs down, such as by altering the level of excess or seeing if any providers offer discounts (some insurers offer cheaper premiums if you can show you’re keeping active, for example).

But given how expensive private medical treatment can be – hip replacements can cost around £14,500, for example, while some cancer treatments can run into the tens of thousands – PMI policies may seem more affordable. Ultimately, thoroughly comparing medical insurance policies can ensure you’re able to keep costs to a minimum.

Is private medical insurance worth it?

Since most UK residents have access to the NHS, this is a personal choice. Some people rarely seek medical help, and therefore the NHS will be sufficient for their needs. Other people might enjoy the options that come with private healthcare where they can choose their practitioner and appointment times, or would prefer to avoid waiting lists if they ever need treatment.

If you are still undecided whether private medical insurance is for you, consider the price of a one-off consultation with a private practitioner. It could be more beneficial to pay this fee when you see fit instead of paying a monthly insurance premium.

Then again, if you are looking for insurance to future-proof your health and cover any large-scale operations or treatment you may need, then private medical insurance may be worthwhile. Much like any insurance, it’s designed to help you prepare for the unexpected – you may never need to make a significant claim, but it could be invaluable if you did.