Private Health (PMI) · UK Research
Private medical insurance, without the jargon.
Private medical insurance buys speed and choice alongside the NHS — faster diagnosis, quicker treatment and a private room. We explain what PMI does and doesn’t cover, the underwriting choices, and the levers that bring the premium down.
Quick answer
The essentials in 30 seconds
- What it is: insurance that pays for private diagnosis and treatment of acute (curable) conditions, outside NHS waiting lists.
- What it isn’t: a replacement for the NHS — emergencies and most chronic conditions stay with the NHS.
- Key choice: moratorium (no medical questions, recent conditions excluded) vs full medical underwriting (declare upfront, clarity from day one).
- Price levers: excess, hospital list, optional modules and a six-week NHS-wait option.
Pricing
What drives a PMI premium
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Age | Premiums rise with age as claims become more likely |
| Excess | A higher voluntary excess lowers the premium |
| Hospital list | Full London lists cost more than guided or local lists |
| Optional modules | Outpatient, dental, optical and mental-health add-ons increase cost |
| Underwriting & history | Your medical history and the underwriting type shape cover and price |
Indicative drivers for orientation only — not a quote.
Our research
What our private health section covers
- How much private health insurance costs
- What PMI covers and excludes
- Moratorium vs full medical underwriting
- Family and couples cover
- Cutting your premium without losing protection
- Company schemes and switching providers
Looking to protect income rather than health costs? See income protection.
Common questions
Private health FAQs
It depends how much you value speed and choice. PMI gets you faster diagnosis and planned treatment and avoids waiting lists, but the NHS still covers emergencies and much else. If quick access to consultants matters to you, it can be worth the premium.
Usually not at the start. Under moratorium underwriting, conditions you had in the recent past are excluded until you have been symptom-free and treatment-free for a set period, often two years. Full medical underwriting tells you exactly what is excluded upfront.
Add a voluntary excess, pick a guided hospital list, drop modules you do not need, and consider a six-week option that only goes private when NHS waits are long. Reviewing cover at renewal each year also keeps the price in check.
Information only — not financial advice. My Insurance Expert is not an FCA-authorised intermediary and does not arrange or sell policies. Last updated: 2026-06-13