Does my private health insurance cover me overseas?

Some policies will cover you when you’re abroad if you have international cover included, but PMI generally only provides cover in the UK. If you’re travelling abroad, the best solution is to buy travel insurance that covers you for medical emergencies. If you’re visiting anywhere within the European Economic Area (EEA), you can apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to the same level of healthcare as locals within that country. The GHIC is free and valid for five years. It’s important to note that your GHIC does not replace travel insurance, and it will not cover expenses such as repatriation.

Do I have to pay an excess?

Most policies will require you to pay an excess. This is the amount you pay towards your treatment. For example, if your treatment costs £1,000 and your excess is £250, you’d pay the £250, with your insurer covering the remaining £750. The amount of excess you pay can vary, so when you take out a policy, check that it’s an amount you can afford. For more information, take a look at our guide to excesses on PMI policies.

Does private health insurance cover cancer treatment?

Some policies offer cancer cover as standard, while others offer it as an optional extra. However, if you’ve had cancer in the previous five years, it will be considered a pre-existing condition, and you’re unlikely to get cover. If you choose a policy with cancer cover, check carefully what it includes. Some will pay for radiotherapy and chemotherapy, while others can give you access to pioneering treatments. If you decide to have cancer treatment with the NHS as an inpatient, some policies will pay out a daily rate in place of private treatment.

What does private medical insurance cover?

What does Private Medical Insurance cover?

Latest figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) highlight the increasing popularity of private medical insurance (PMI), with 6.5 million people taking out health insurance; more than half are covered by a workplace policy.

But, while PMI cover can speed up diagnosis, treatment, and provide aftercare, an unsuitable policy can result in unmet needs and lead to frustration. We take an in-depth look at what private medical insurance actually covers and what to consider so that your policy gives you, your family, or your employees the protection you’re looking for.

Updated: 26.10.26

By Alex Mhandu

How does private health insurance work in the UK?

Although NHS treatment is free for everyone who normally lives in the UK, waiting lists can be long; the latest figures from the British Medical Association indicate there were 7.11 million cases on NHS waiting lists as of March 2026. Private medical insurance (also known as private health insurance) can help you bypass long waiting lists and give you access to treatment more quickly.

PMI covers acute (short-term) conditions or illnesses which appear suddenly and normally respond to treatment for a full recovery. For example, a hernia or knee injury that requires an operation would usually be covered. PMI doesn’t typically cover pre-existing conditions.

If you opt for private cover, you can buy policies as an individual, as a couple, or for your whole family. If you’re a business owner, you can also buy group private medical insurance for your employees. Premiums are often paid monthly, but paying annually can sometimes be cheaper as insurers may offer a discount for doing so.

If you have PMI, one of the biggest advantages is quicker access to treatment, but depending on the policy you choose, providers also offer other benefits, including:

Choice of private hospitals where you can be treated.

Choice of who treats you.

24/7 access to a GP (usually online appointments).

Access to helplines if you’re experiencing stress.

Each provider will also have their own process for accessing care. Usually, the first step is a referral from a GP (either your own or from a private service provided by your insurer). When you have your referral, you can contact your provider, who will pre-authorise treatment and give you a choice of where you can go to receive it. Once you’ve been treated, the insurer will usually pay the hospital or consultant directly.

What is usually included in standard cover?

PMI policies vary between providers, and each provider offers different levels of cover, so it’s important to understand what your specific policy includes. Broadly speaking, most policies will include the following as standard:

Consultations and diagnostic tests.

Inpatient treatment (where you need to stay overnight in a hospital).

Outpatient treatment (such as day surgery).

Access to a private GP service (normally online).

Bear in mind that PMI only covers the cost of treatment and aftercare; it doesn’t compensate you for any time you may need off work. If your employer offers limited sick pay or you’re self-employed, you may want to consider income protection insurance, which helps cover lost income if you’re off work because of injury or illness.

Tailoring your policy with optional extras

When you’re considering policies, there are a range of add-ons you can include which will offer enhanced cover for an increased premium. Popular add-ons that may be offered include:

Outpatient cover

Extra outpatient cover can include increased or unlimited levels of cover for physiotherapy, MRI scans, and diagnostic tests. It can also include complementary or alternative therapies such as acupuncture, osteopathy, and chiropractic.

Private GP visits

Typically, access to a private GP service is online for speed and convenience, but some providers offer a face-to-face GP service.

Mental health and therapy

This ranges from access to mental health support phone lines and counselling through to inpatient psychiatric care. It’s worth noting that policies for individuals and families rarely cover diagnosis for neurodivergence, but this is sometimes available with corporate group schemes. For more information, read our guide to private medical insurance and mental health.

Medication and prescriptions

PMI will usually cover any prescription drugs you need as part of any treatment included in your policy, but some policies offer access to medication not normally available on the NHS.

Choice of hospitals and locations

PMI providers will have a network of private hospitals you can choose from by area. Networks that cover hospitals in London tend to be more expensive, but you can help lower premiums by choosing a policy with a more limited (regional) network.

Consultant choice

As well as a network of private hospitals, providers will have a network of consultants they work with. You can either choose your own consultant from their network or let your insurer choose one for you. If you let your insurer choose, your premiums will often be slightly lower.

Optical and dental

Includes dental treatment, hygiene appointments, eye tests and prescription glasses or contact lenses, up to a set annual limit.

What is not covered by PMI?

PMI is designed to complement NHS services, rather than replace them entirely and won’t cover:

Accident and emergency treatment (A&E) – this is always handled by the NHS.

Chronic conditions – long-term conditions that cannot be cured, such as diabetes and asthma.

Pre-existing medical conditions – anything you’ve notified your GP of before taking out your policy is excluded (regardless of whether you received treatment). Usually, cover for a pre-existing condition may be reinstated if you don’t seek advice or show any symptoms of the condition after two consecutive years.

Normal pregnancy and childbirth – PMI does not cover routine pregnancy or childbirth, but policies may cover complications that put the mother’s health at risk.

Cosmetic surgery – PMI will generally cover medically needed reconstructive surgery after an accident or illness, such as cancer, but it won’t cover anything for purely cosmetic reasons.

Can you mix NHS and private treatment?

Yes, you can mix NHS and private care, but there are certain rules to follow. Fundamentally, if you mix treatment, the NHS care and private care must be delivered separately – unless there are exceptional circumstances. These rules help ensure that patients receive equal treatment within NHS facilities.

For example, after a hip replacement on the NHS, you may choose to have private physiotherapy as well as NHS-funded physiotherapy. As long as the sessions took place in different locations (a private physio practice and an NHS facility), this would be allowed. What you can’t do is pay for private physio sessions in an NHS facility, even if the therapist works for both. To help avoid confusion, the NHS has published guidance for patients who want to pay for additional private care.

It’s common for PMI policyholders to get an initial diagnosis from their NHS GP but then switch to private care for treatment. Alternatively, you can use your private GP service for an initial diagnosis and then pursue NHS treatment instead.

Some PMI policies also offer a six-week waiting period, which can help lower your premium. This means that if the NHS can treat you within six weeks, you must take up this option rather than seeking treatment privately.

Private medical insurance policies also may provide a cash benefit for when you have treatment as an NHS inpatient, which can be up to £100 a night.

FAQs

Private medical insurance for convenience and peace of mind

PMI gives you more choice over where, when, and who provides your treatment, helping you to recover quickly. For business owners considering company health insurance, PMI is one of the most sought-after employee benefits, helping you to attract and retain staff.

Make an enquiry today

If you’re considering private medical insurance but would benefit from expert help and guidance, speak to one of our health insurance specialists.

Speak to us: 01603 967955

What does Private Medical Insurance cover?

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How does private health insurance work in the UK?

What is usually included in standard cover?