Private Health Cover That Works Around You

Getting a quote through NowPatient is straightforward. Navigate to the Private Health Insurance Service card and select the option 'Get Quote'

Complete the assessment

Go to the Private Health Insurance Service Card and select 'Start Quote'. Answer a series of questions about your needs, health, and preferences. You can request a quote for an individual, a couple, or a family.

We match you with an intermediary

Based on your answers, we connect you with one of our trusted FCA-regulated partners who specialises in your type of cover.

Receive your quote

The intermediary will contact you (usually by phone or email) with details about recommended coverage, monthly premiums, and policy options.

Discuss and decide

You can ask questions, request modifications, or explore different coverage levels. All quotes are no-obligation and you decide if and when to proceed.

Private health insurance covers the cost of medical treatment in private healthcare facilities. It gives you access to faster treatment, private hospital rooms, a choice of specialists, and a more personalised healthcare experience. It complements the NHS, which is free at the point of use but can involve longer waiting times for non-urgent procedures.

Having private health insurance does not replace your NHS care. You can continue to use the NHS for routine appointments and emergencies while using your private cover for quicker access to certain treatments.

Reduced waiting times

Access quicker diagnostics and treatments without NHS queues.

Choice

Select your specialist, hospital, and treatment time.

Privacy

Private rooms for inpatient stays, rather than shared wards.

Additional services

Coverage for therapies not always available on the NHS, such as certain physiotherapies or mental health support.

Peace of mind

Assurance that you will receive timely, tailored care when you need it.

Most people can apply for private health insurance. However, eligibility and cost may depend on:

• Your age

• Your medical history (pre-existing conditions may not be covered or may increase premiums)

• Lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption

• Budget

Those with significant pre-existing conditions may face limited coverage or higher premiums. Our intermediary partners can help you understand your options based on your personal circumstances.

Policies vary between providers, but common inclusions are:

• Consultations with specialists

• Diagnostic tests and scans (MRI, CT, blood tests)

• Surgical procedures (inpatient and outpatient)

• Hospital accommodation (private rooms and nursing care)

• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

• Mental health support (psychiatric consultations and therapies)

Optional add-ons may include dental care, optical treatments, and complementary therapies such as acupuncture.

Most policies exclude pre-existing conditions such as any illness, injury, or condition you had before the policy started. Some insurers may offer coverage after a specified symptom-free period. Policies with 'moratorium underwriting' might cover pre-existing conditions after a set duration (for example, two years) of no symptoms or treatment.

Standard private health insurance typically does not cover GP visits, as these are widely accessible through the NHS. However, some comprehensive policies or add-ons may include online GP consultations or private GP appointments.

Routine maternity care (such as antenatal appointments and childbirth) is usually excluded, as the NHS provides these services. Some policies offer limited maternity benefits as optional add-ons or part of a higher-tier plan, which may include private hospital delivery, cover for pregnancy complications, or access to private midwives.

Coverage depends on your specific policy. Some basic plans exclude mental health treatment or limit the number of sessions per year. If mental health cover is important to you, raise this with your insurance partner. Where included, it may cover psychiatric consultations, inpatient care for severe conditions, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and counselling sessions.

Premiums vary depending on several factors:

• Age. Older individuals typically pay more.

• Health and lifestyle. Smokers or those with pre-existing conditions may face higher costs.

• Coverage level. Comprehensive plans cost more than basic ones.

• Excess. Higher excess amounts (the portion you pay per claim) reduce premiums.

• Region. Premiums are higher in areas with expensive private facilities, such as London.

Typical monthly premiums range from £30 to £150 or more, but family policies and add-ons can increase costs.

You can reduce your premiums by:

• Choosing a policy with a higher excess level

• Limiting coverage to a specific hospital network

• Excluding optional benefits such as dental or optical care

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle to avoid higher risk classifications

• Taking advantage of no-claims discounts or loyalty bonuses offered by insurers

There are no direct personal tax reliefs for private health insurance in the UK. However, there are business-related considerations.

Employers

Businesses providing health insurance to employees can claim it as a deductible business expense.

Employees

Employer-provided health insurance is considered a benefit-in-kind and is subject to tax.

Family health insurance plans cover multiple members under one policy and often offer discounts compared to individual coverage. During the NowPatient assessment, you can choose whether you want a single, couple, or family quote. Family quotes typically cover 2 adults and up to 6 children under 18.

You can switch private health insurance providers, but there are important considerations.

A new insurer may reassess your medical history.

Some insurers offer to carry forward your existing coverage, including for pre-existing conditions.

Benefits for pre-existing conditions may reset with a new provider.

If you already have a policy, our intermediary partners will carefully assess your situation to help you avoid losing coverage for treatments you need.

The typical claim process is:

1. Get a GP referral. A GP or specialist may need to confirm that treatment is necessary.

2. Contact your insurer. Obtain pre-authorisation for the treatment or procedure.

3. Receive treatment. Book your appointment at an approved private facility.

4. Payment. Insurers typically pay the provider directly. In some cases, you may pay upfront and be reimbursed later.

Terms vary by provider, but if you miss a payment you will typically receive a grace period (for example, 14 days) to resolve the issue. After this period, your policy may lapse, which could result in loss of coverage and a potential need for reapplication or underwriting. Contact your provider immediately if you anticipate payment difficulties.

You can generally cancel your policy at any time, provided you give advance notice (for example, 30 days). Some insurers may apply a cancellation fee or only refund unused premiums under specific conditions. Check your policy terms for details.

NowPatient's Private Health Insurance is a lead generation service. We introduce you to trusted intermediaries. Every company we work with is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). NowPatient is not authorised to give financial advice and is not liable for any financial advice provided by, or obtained through, a third party. All quotes provided by our partners are no-obligation.

No. NowPatient’s Private Health Insurance is a lead generation service. We connect you with trusted intermediaries who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). NowPatient is not authorised to give financial advice and is not liable for any advice provided by, or obtained through, a third party.

Complete a short assessment by selecting the ‘Start Quote’ option on the Private Health Insurance Service Card, which can be located on the account homepage . Complete the assessment. Based on your answers, we match you with an FCA-regulated intermediary who will contact you with a free, no-obligation quote. You can then discuss coverage options and decide whether to proceed.

No. All quotes provided through our partners are no-obligation. You are free to ask questions, request changes, or decline without any commitment.

Yes. During the assessment, you can choose whether you want a quote for an individual, a couple, or a family. Family quotes typically cover 2 adults and up to 6 children under 18.

Private health insurance covers the cost of medical treatment in private healthcare facilities. It gives you access to faster treatment, private hospital rooms, a choice of specialists, and a more personalised experience. It complements the NHS rather than replacing it.

Key benefits include reduced waiting times for diagnostics and treatment, the freedom to choose your specialist and hospital, private rooms for inpatient stays, coverage for therapies not always available on the NHS, and peace of mind that you’ll receive timely care.

Yes. Private health insurance complements NHS care. You can continue using the NHS for routine appointments and emergencies while using your private cover for quicker access to certain treatments.

Most people can apply. However, eligibility and cost depend on your age, medical history, and lifestyle factors such as smoking. Those with significant pre-existing conditions may face limited coverage or higher premiums.

Common inclusions are specialist consultations, diagnostic tests and scans (MRI, CT, blood tests), surgical procedures, hospital accommodation in private rooms, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and mental health support. Optional add-ons may include dental care, optical treatments, and complementary therapies.

Most policies exclude pre-existing conditions. Some insurers may offer coverage after a specified symptom-free period. Policies with ‘moratorium underwriting’ might cover pre-existing conditions after a set duration (for example, two years) of no symptoms or treatment.

Standard policies typically do not cover GP visits, as these are widely accessible through the NHS. Some comprehensive policies or add-ons may include online GP consultations or private GP appointments.

Routine maternity care is usually excluded, as the NHS provides these services. Some policies offer limited maternity benefits as optional add-ons or part of higher-tier plans, which may include private hospital delivery, cover for pregnancy complications, or access to private midwives.

Coverage depends on your specific policy. Some basic plans exclude mental health treatment or limit sessions per year. If this is important to you, raise it with your insurance partner. Where included, it may cover psychiatric consultations, inpatient care, CBT, and counselling.

Typical monthly premiums range from £30 to £150 or more, depending on your age, health, lifestyle, coverage level, excess amount, and region. Family policies and add-ons can increase costs. London and areas with expensive private facilities tend to have higher premiums.

You can reduce costs by choosing a higher excess, limiting coverage to a specific hospital network, excluding optional benefits like dental or optical care, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and taking advantage of no-claims discounts or loyalty bonuses.

There are no direct personal tax reliefs. However, employers providing health insurance can claim it as a deductible business expense. Employer-provided health insurance is considered a benefit-in-kind for employees and is subject to tax.

Yes. However, a new insurer may reassess your medical history, and waiting periods for pre-existing conditions may reset. Some insurers offer to carry forward existing coverage. Our intermediary partners will assess your situation carefully to help you avoid losing coverage for treatments you need.

Typically, you get a GP referral confirming treatment is necessary, contact your insurer for pre-authorisation, book your appointment at an approved private facility, and the insurer pays the provider directly. In some cases, you may pay upfront and be reimbursed.

You will typically receive a grace period (for example, 14 days) to resolve the issue. After this, your policy may lapse, resulting in loss of coverage and a potential need for reapplication. Contact your provider immediately if you anticipate payment difficulties.

Generally, yes — provided you give advance notice (for example, 30 days). Some insurers may apply a cancellation fee or only refund unused premiums under specific conditions. Check your policy terms for details.

No. NowPatient is not authorised to give financial advice. We are a lead generation service that connects you with trusted intermediaries who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). NowPatient is not liable for any financial advice provided by, or obtained through, a third party.