Private health insurance for foreigners in the UK

Are you an expat interested in private health insurance for foreigners in the UK? The number of people using private healthcare in the UK has surged in recent years, so it’s not a surprise you’re here.

According to Statista only 12% of people paid for private health insurance in 2019. But by the end of the year 2022, the amount of people using it almost doubled, reaching a whopping 22%.¹

So, let’s dig into everything you need to know about private health insurance here in the UK.

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Table of contents

What is private health insurance? What does private health insurance cover and exclude? Pre-existing medical conditions and chronic conditions Accident and emergency treatment Cosmetic surgery and corrective eye surgery Behavioural or developmental conditions and learning difficulties Other typical exclusions Is it a good idea to get private health insurance in the UK? Best private health insurance providers for foreigners in the UK AXA Insurance Bupa Cigna Freedom Health Insurance How much does private healthcare cost for expats in the UK? How to get private health insurance as an expat in the UK?

What is private health insurance?

Private health insurance is also called private medical insurance (PMI). It covers the cost of your medical treatments such as hospital admissions, seeing consultants, getting tests, etc.

Generally speaking, private health insurance is meant to cover treating acute conditions. Acute diseases or conditions mean that a health condition happens suddenly or severely. This could be anything from a broken bone to an ear infection.

What does private health insurance cover and exclude?

The core cover typically covers things like inpatient treatment, private consultation and outpatient care. This will vary between different providers and the kind of policy you end up getting. So, make sure to read the terms of your private health insurance carefully and ask the provider for a list of exclusions if these aren’t already in the document.

For example, health insurance provider Bupa offers two plans as part of their UK offering. The pricier Comprehensive package covers outpatient appointments before treatment. It also covers tests and scans needed before a treatment.

But with the cheaper Treatment and Care package you would first need to get those services through the National Health Service (NHS) and then use the private medical care for treatment.²

Exclusions among private medical insurance providers in the UK are similar, but there will of course be some differences.

Pre-existing medical conditions and chronic conditions

Health insurance policies do not cover chronic conditions that don’t have a cure. These are illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy and arthritis.

However, if there is a flare-up or sudden worsening – like a severe asthma attack on top of an existing asthma condition – the insurance will typically pay for the treatment. ³

Any conditions that you were diagnosed with before signing up with the insurance provider are also excluded from the coverage.

Accident and emergency treatment

In a serious emergency, the right place to turn to is your GP or the accident and emergency (A&E) department in an NHS hospital, which is free for everyone.⁴

Cosmetic surgery and corrective eye surgery

Any procedures that aren’t medically necessary are considered a lifestyle choice and therefore not covered by health insurance. If cosmetic surgery is required for medical reasons, for instance, reconstructive surgery after a major accident, private health insurance usually covers it.

Behavioural or developmental conditions and learning difficulties

Many providers don’t cover conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD or substance use disorder. But again, please read the terms and conditions for each provider to get the full picture.

Other typical exclusions

Allergies, food intolerances, intensive care, pregnancy and childbirth, puberty, menopause and ageing aren’t often covered.

If you saw one of your conditions listed above, don’t worry. Some of the providers on our list have packages that cover care during pregnancy and even chronic conditions.

Is it a good idea to get private health insurance in the UK?

Private health care is a great option if you want you or your family to be able to see specialists faster. The average wait time to receive treatment through the NHS in March of 2024 was 15 weeks.⁵ This is twice as long as it was in pre-covid times.

With private medical insurance you’ll also have more flexibility when it comes to choosing the hospital you go to, the consultant you get to see and the appointment time. You can use a site such as doctify to see verified reviews of specialists and clinics and choose a provider you feel confident in.

Unfortunately, if your main concern is a chronic condition, most private health insurance plans will not cover it.

Best private health insurance providers for foreigners in the UK

As an expat in the UK you’ll find many different private health insurance providers to choose from. We’ve gathered some of the best options for you and give a short overview of each:

• AXA Insurance
• Bupa
• Cigna
• Freedom Health Insurance

It’s important to note that health insurance policies can be a bit complex and we aren’t able to cover everything in our overview. When you’re checking different policies and providers, make sure to double-check all the details with the specific provider.

AXA Insurance

AXA Insurance offers insurance in the UK as well as international coverage. You’ll find 9 different plans available on their website. They cover a wide range of different options and cost between £173.13 – £1,630.79 per month. If you’re wondering why there’s such a huge range in fees, it comes down to whether travel to the US is covered or not.

You can choose a plan that covers you for 3-11 months or 12 months or over. Unfortunately, AXA Insurance doesn’t provide private health insurance plans for less than 3 months. If you plan on travelling back home you can add on travel insurance.

Notably, starting from their Comprehensive package, AXA also covers chronic conditions. You can also get coverage for routine pregnancy and health checks. They also cover out-patient consultation and tests, routine dental checks, evacuation and repatriation, second opinion service and virtual doctor service.⁶

Bupa

Bupa offers both UK health insurance and an international one, which is better suited for expats' needs. You can choose from four plans that cost around £3,210 - £11,506 annually. The plans offer either global cover, Europe-wide cover or extensive global cover.

All of the plans cover private hospital accommodation, cancer treatment, operating room costs, mental health, rehabilitation and diagnostic tests.

Some plans also cover home nursing, medical evacuation and repatriation, health checks, out-patient medicines, physiotherapy, vaccinations, optical and dental cover, maternity cover, complementary therapies and more.⁷

Cigna

Cigna has two core plans to choose from: Cigna Global Health Options and Cigna Close Care. Cigna Global Health Options gives you access to worldwide care (either Worldwide or Worldwide excluding the US). The plan has three levels to choose from, four optional add-ons and flexible payment options. You’ll get comprehensive coverage for inpatient, daypatient and emergency cover, mental health care, pandemic cover and cancer care.

Cigna Close Care covers the country you reside in and your home country for return visits. You’ll also get emergency medical coverage outside of those two areas for other trips. The pricing is flexible so that you can tailor it to your budget and needs.

It’s noteworthy is that the pricier packages cover maternity care and behavioural health care.⁸

Freedom Health Insurance

Freedom Health Insurance offers 5 levels of international health insurance coverage. All of them include medical treatment for acute conditions, cancer treatment, emergency dental treatment that requires hospital admission, MRI, CT and PET scans and outpatient surgery. They also cover medical evacuation and repatriation and compassionate emergency visits to a different country when a family member is critically ill.

Add-ons include a wider selection of hospitals, alternative therapies, private GP, dental and optical benefits and mental health care.⁹

How much does private healthcare cost for expats in the UK?

Let's look at the average cost of private healthcare in the UK for one person. The price quote you get may be different depending on existing health conditions, age and other factors.

For example, some providers let you remove coverage for certain things or you may decide to change your level of excess (how much you will pay from your own pocket when you claim for insurance).

The quotes in the table below are for a non-smoking 35-year-old person.

Provider	Fees	Additional information
AXA Global Health¹⁰	Worldwide excluding USA £173.13 - £931.34 per month Worldwide including USA £303.14 - £1,630.79 per month	You can also pay quarterly or yearly. The yearly payment comes cheaper compared to monthly payments. Annual policy holders get 4 months for free over 3 years.
Bupa¹¹	£3,210 - £11,506 annually ( about £267.50 - £958.80 per month)	The most expensive package comes with 2 children under 10 included (subject to underwriting).
Cigna¹²	Worldwide excluding USA £137.74 - £319.67 per month Worldwide including USA £303.14 - £607.38 per month	Paying quarterly you get a 3% discount and a 10% annually.
Freedom Health Insurance¹³	£26.01 - £125.04 per month	Paying annually you get a 6% discount.

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How to get private health insurance as an expat in the UK?

There are many different providers to choose from and deciding on the right one can be challenging. Don’t be afraid to call up the providers and ask them questions. As we mentioned earlier, the most important thing is that you are clear on what you want your private health insurance to cover.

Here’s a quick step-by-step overview of getting a private health insurance as an expat in the UK:

1. Do your research - think of the services or add-ons that will be most important to you. Will you be travelling a lot? Or are you planning to spend time only in the UK? Maybe you want a policy with dental or pregnancy care coverage. Or maybe you just want to cover inpatient treatment. Compare different providers and how their coverage and exclusions work.

2. Get personalised quotes - you can either call up a provider or fill out an online form to get a quote that is specific to you. You’ll need to provide details like your name, contact details, date of birth, whether you are a smoker and what kind of coverage you’re looking for.

   The health insurance provider may contact you by email or phone to confirm details about your health and needs.

3. Compare quotes and choose your plan - compare the different health insurance plans and make your final decision.

4. Purchase your health insurance cover - once you’re decided you can apply for your private medical insurance. You’ll be able to do it online, over the phone or in person.

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Having a bit of extra cover for your health is never a bad idea. And with such a wide range of options available these days, you are bound to find a solution that fits your needs as well as your budget.

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Sources used:

1. Statista – Overburdened NHS Pushes More Brits To Go Private
2. Bupa – Compare health insurance | Private medical insurance comparison
3. Morehealth Limited – Chronic Conditions Explained
4. NHS – How to access NHS services in England if you are visiting from abroad
5. British Medical Association – NHS backlog data analysis
6. AXA Global Healthcare – Get a quote for international health insurance
7. Bupa Global – Compare the details of our health insurance plans
8. Cigna Healthcare – International Health Insurance for Working Abroad
9. Freedom Health Insurance – International Health Insurance
10. AXA Global Health – Your health cover
11. Bupa Global – Private Health Insurance With International Cover
12. Cigna Global – Get a Quote
13. Freedom Health Insurance – Get a Quote

Sources last checked on date: 12-06-2024