Hot Topics

What Exactly Is Private Medical Insurance (PMI)?: Private Medical Insurance (or Private Health Insurance as it is sometimes known) insures you against the costs of private medical treatment for curable short-term or ‘acute' medical conditions.
What Is Not Covered By Private Medical Insurance?: Private Medical Insurance plans do not cover chronic or critical illnesses which cannot be cured, for example multiple sclerosis, asthma or diabetes.
What Details Will I Need To Provide To Prove My Health?: When you sign up for a private medical insurance policy, there are a variety of ways in which your insurer may ask you to prove your health. We have detailed them below:
What Is a ‘moratorium' Cover?: Moratorium cover means to take a private medical insurance policy without providing any medical history.
Is Private Medical Insurance Regulated?: Yes. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) now regulates the sale of Private Medical Insurance.

What Happens If I Have a Medical Emergency?

Medical emergencies are not covered by private medical insurance - if you suffer an accident or are taken ill and rushed to hospital - you will receive normal NHS treatment.

This is because most private hospitals do not have accident and emergency facilities. Also, in an emergency there is no time to make the distinction between private and NHS care.

After the emergency has passed, you may well be eligible to make a claim on your insurance and receive your after-care privately. You will then be transferred either to a private ward within an NHS hospital, or to a private hospital to receive the rest of your treatment, and to be returned to full health.