Is private health insurance worth it?

Wondering whether private health insurance, also known as private medical insurance, is worth it for you? This guide explains what it can offer, so you can decide whether it is a good option.

What is the difference between private health insurance and the NHS?

The main difference is how you pay. The NHS is a free service at the point of use, provided by the government. Private healthcare is a paid service, provided by private organisations. Private health insurance helps cover the cost of eligible private treatment.

Private medical insurance is not a replacement for the NHS. It works alongside it. Some treatments and conditions are covered by the NHS but not usually by private medical insurance, including:

• accident and emergency (A&E) services
• conditions you already have, known as pre-existing conditions
• chronic conditions, which are long term and need ongoing management
• pregnancy

Read more about NHS and private healthcare.

What are the benefits of private medical insurance?

The main benefits of private medical insurance are:

• treatment without waiting for an NHS referral, subject to the terms of your policy
• access to a wider range of treatments and drugs, depending on your cover
• more choice over where and when you are treated
• private hospital rooms

Treatment without waiting for an NHS referral

NHS waiting times depend on the treatment you need, the hospital and where you live. Getting a diagnosis and treatment promptly can help stop a medical problem getting worse.

The NHS publishes a guide to waiting times in England. With private medical insurance, eligible members can arrange private treatment for eligible conditions, subject to the terms of the policy.

Access to a wider range of treatments

Private hospitals can give access to a wide range of treatments, from specialist drugs to recovery care. Some of these may not always be available through the NHS. What is covered depends on your policy.

More choice

With NHS care, you often have limited choice of hospital, consultant or appointment time. Your procedure may also be carried out by a member of the consultant's team rather than the consultant.

With private medical insurance, you can have more say over your hospital, consultant and appointment time, depending on your cover.

Private hospital rooms

When you are treated privately, you usually have your own room with an en-suite bathroom and facilities such as a TV and a choice of meals. This can make rest and recovery after surgery more comfortable.

Is private medical insurance good value for money?

Private medical insurance can make private treatment more accessible, by spreading the cost into a monthly or annual premium. You can tailor your policy to your needs by choosing optional benefits and the excess you want to pay.

With Freedom Elite and Freedom Essentials, paying annually rather than monthly reduces your premium. Read more about what affects the cost of health insurance.

Will my NHS care be affected if I go private?

You are still entitled to free NHS healthcare if you go private. However, the NHS cannot pay for or subsidise your private treatment.

Your private and NHS treatment must also be kept separate. For example, you may have been diagnosed on the NHS but want private treatment. You will usually need to transfer to a private hospital, or to the private ward of an NHS hospital.

The Department of Health and Social Care publishes guidance for NHS patients who wish to pay for additional private care.

Why buy private medical insurance?

Private medical insurance may be worth it if you want to:

• arrange treatment for eligible conditions without waiting for an NHS referral
• know that your eligible private medical bills will be paid, in line with your policy
• have treatment in a private hospital wherever possible
• have access to drugs and treatments that are not always available on the NHS, depending on your cover

Read more about our individual and family health insurance.