Private Health
Insurance.
Clear, structured private medical cover for individuals and families.
Private health insurance helps pay for eligible private medical treatment when you become unwell. It can give you faster access to specialists, diagnostic tests, scans, planned hospital treatment and private healthcare facilities, depending on the policy you choose.
It does not replace the NHS. Instead, it works alongside the NHS and gives you another route to treatment when your condition is covered by your policy.
What is private health insurance?
Private health insurance, also known as private medical insurance or PMI, is a policy that helps cover the cost of private healthcare.
You pay a monthly or annual premium, and in return the insurer pays for eligible private treatment under the terms of your policy.
Acute medical conditions
Private health insurance is mainly designed for acute medical conditions—conditions expected to respond to treatment and improve.
For example, a new joint problem, a suspected medical issue that needs tests, or a condition requiring planned surgery may fall within the scope of cover if it meets the policy rules.
Long-term conditions
It is not normally designed to manage chronic, ongoing or long-term conditions such as diabetes, asthma, arthritis or high blood pressure.
Who is private health
insurance for?
Private health insurance can suit people who want more control over their healthcare journey. It is commonly considered by:
Faster Access
Individuals who want faster access to private diagnosis and treatment.
Families & Couples
Couples who want joint private healthcare cover. Families who want cover for parents and children.
Self-employed
Self-employed people who want to reduce the risk of long periods away from work. Business owners who want personal cover separate from company schemes.
Specialist Support
People who want access to private specialists, hospitals and diagnostic tests. People who want stronger cancer cover or additional mental health support.
The right policy depends on your age, health history, budget, location, hospital preferences and the level of cover you want.
Find your policy
What does private health
insurance usually cover?
Every insurer has its own rules, but private health insurance can include the following areas.
Inpatient treatment
Inpatient treatment means you are admitted to hospital and stay overnight. Cover may include hospital fees, consultant fees, nursing care, surgery, medication during your stay and use of a private room where available.
Day-patient treatment
Day-patient treatment means you are admitted to hospital for treatment but go home the same day. Many planned procedures fall into this category.
Cancer cover
Cancer cover is one of the main reasons people take out private health insurance. Depending on the insurer, it may include consultations, tests, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted cancer drugs and follow-up care.
Outpatient care
Outpatient care includes specialist appointments where you are not admitted to hospital. This can be one of the most important areas of cover—some insurers include outpatient consultations as standard, while others only include them if you add an outpatient option.
Diagnostic tests & scans
This may include blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound, MRI scans, CT scans, PET scans and other investigations. Some policies cover major scans as standard, while others link them to outpatient cover.
Additional Support Services
Mental health
Some insurers include mental health support as standard. Others require an add-on. Cover may include talking therapies, counselling, CBT, psychiatric consultations or inpatient psychiatric treatment, depending on the policy.
Physiotherapy
Some policies include limited physiotherapy. Others require a therapies add-on. Depending on the insurer, this may include physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic treatment, acupuncture, podiatry or dietitian support.
Digital GP
Many modern private health insurance policies include access to a digital GP by phone or video. This can help with everyday medical advice, referral letters and some prescription support.
What is usually not covered?
Private health insurance does not cover everything. Common exclusions include:
Exclusions vary between insurers. Swan Protect helps you understand these before you apply, so you do not buy cover based on assumptions.
Individual, joint and family health insurance
Private health insurance can usually be arranged in different ways.
Individual health insurance
This covers one person. It may suit you if you are self-employed, single, already have family members covered elsewhere, or only need personal protection.
Joint health insurance
This can cover two adults under one policy. It may suit couples who want their healthcare arranged together and prefer one renewal date.
Family health insurance
Family cover can include parents and children under one policy. Some insurers offer child pricing benefits or family discounts. Others price each member separately.
When comparing family cover, check:
- Whether each family member has their own no-claims discount.
- Whether children are charged individually.
- Whether digital GP access applies to every member.
- Whether mental health and outpatient benefits apply to children.
- Whether parental accommodation is included if a child is admitted to hospital.
Pre-existing conditions explained
A pre-existing condition is usually a medical issue you had symptoms, treatment, advice or medication for before your policy started. Private health insurance can still be available if you have a medical history, but the insurer may exclude certain conditions or apply special terms.
There are two main ways insurers assess medical history.
Moratorium underwriting
With moratorium underwriting, you do not normally give full medical details when you apply. Instead, the insurer looks at your medical history if you make a claim. Recent medical conditions are usually excluded at the start. Some may become eligible later if you remain symptom-free, treatment-free and advice-free for the required period. This can be simpler at application stage, but you may have less certainty until a claim is assessed.
Full medical underwriting
With full medical underwriting, you provide your medical history before the policy starts. The insurer reviews it and confirms in writing what is excluded. This can be better if you want clarity upfront, especially if you have a more complex medical history.
Swan Protect can help explain the difference and guide you on which route may be more suitable.
How much does private health insurance cost?
The cost of private health insurance depends on several factors, including:
The cheapest policy is not always the best value. A low monthly premium may mean reduced outpatient cover, fewer hospitals, a high excess or important exclusions. Swan Protect helps you compare the price and the quality of cover together.
How to reduce the cost
There are several ways to reduce the monthly premium. You may be able to:
- Choose a higher excess.
- Select a guided hospital option.
- Limit outpatient cover.
- Remove benefits you do not need.
- Choose a reduced hospital list.
- Compare more than one insurer.
- Review your policy each year.
- Add family members where discounts apply.
Reducing cover can save money, but it can also create gaps. We help you understand the trade-off before making a decision.
Why use
Swan Protect?
Health insurance can look simple on the surface, but the details matter. Two policies may appear similar, but one may include outpatient cover while another does not.
One insurer may cover mental health as standard, while another may require an add-on. One provider may allow greater hospital choice, while another may use a guided specialist route.
Our aim is to help you choose a policy you understand, not just a premium you can afford.
Swan Protect helps you compare the important parts:
How the quote process works
Step 1: Tell us what you need
We ask who you want to cover, your budget, your health priorities and any important preferences.
Step 2: We compare suitable options
We look at available cover options and explain the differences clearly.
Step 3: You review the details
We help you understand what is covered, what is excluded and what optional benefits may be worth considering.
Step 4: You decide whether to apply
There is no pressure and no obligation. If you choose to proceed, we help you with the application process.
Private Health
Insurance FAQs
Everything you need to know about setting up private medical insurance for yourself or your family.
What is private health insurance?
Private health insurance helps pay for eligible private medical treatment. It can cover private hospital care, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, cancer treatment and other benefits depending on your policy.
Is private health insurance the same as the NHS?
No. It works alongside the NHS. You still use the NHS for emergency care, A&E and services not covered by your policy.
Does private health insurance cover emergencies?
Usually no. In an emergency, call 999 or go to NHS Accident and Emergency.
What is an acute condition?
An acute condition is a medical issue expected to respond to treatment and improve. Private health insurance is mainly designed for acute conditions.
Does private health insurance cover chronic conditions?
Usually no. Chronic conditions that need ongoing monitoring or long-term management are generally excluded.
Does private health insurance cover cancer?
Most major UK health insurers offer cancer cover, but the level of cover differs. It is important to check whether the policy includes diagnosis, treatment, drugs and follow-up care.
Does private health insurance cover mental health?
Some policies include mental health support as standard. Others require an add-on. Cover levels vary widely.
Is outpatient cover important?
Yes. Outpatient cover usually pays for specialist consultations, diagnostic tests and follow-up appointments. Some policies include it; others make it optional.
Can I get private health insurance with a pre-existing condition?
You may still be able to get cover, but the pre-existing condition may be excluded or assessed separately by the insurer.
What is moratorium underwriting?
Moratorium underwriting means the insurer does not assess your full medical history upfront. Instead, it reviews relevant history if you make a claim.
What is full medical underwriting?
Full medical underwriting means you disclose your medical history before the policy starts, and the insurer confirms any exclusions in writing.
How much does private health insurance cost?
The cost depends on age, location, health history, cover level, excess, hospital list and optional benefits.
Can I add my partner or children?
Yes, most insurers allow partners and children to be added. Pricing and child benefits vary by insurer.
Can I choose my hospital?
It depends on your policy and hospital list. Some policies offer broad hospital choice, while others use guided access.
Can Swan Protect help me compare insurers?
Yes. Swan Protect can help you compare policy options and understand the differences before you apply.
Ready to compare
your options?
If you are looking for private health insurance for yourself, your partner or your family, Swan Protect can help you compare your options clearly.