Health Insurance FAQs

Below are some of the most common question posed by those previously looking to compare private health insurance. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call or email PMI Healthcare advisers via the 'help' section.

Can I change insurers if I have claimed on my Private Medical Insurance (PMI) in the past?

Yes. Private Medical Insurance plans are yearly contracts so should be looked at regularly to maintain good value. If changing from your current PMI provider you can often switch on "no worse underwriting" so anything covered by your current provider will be covered with the new provider. This requires advice so talk to the advisors at PMI Healthcare.

Will I need health examinations to join a scheme?

No, not necessarily but this is an area where independent advice can be of benefit. There could be two choices for medical underwriting, moratorium with no initial information disclosed or full health disclosure where you will need to answer some health questions and the insurer may require information from your GP and possibly a free health examination. The moratorium alternative is the best method for most people but any pre-existing conditions suffered in the last 5 years will not be covered for the first 2 years. If no re-occurrences it will be covered thereafter. If it does re-occur then the 2 years starts again but once you have been 2 years without a re-occurrence it is covered thereafter.

Can I have a no claim bonus?

Yes. More and more insurers will give a NCB on entry.

Are you restricted by age?

No, however the cost is dependent on age.

Can I use all hospitals?

No. All insurers have a list where you can be treated and this is another area where specialist independent advice is valuable. Some insurers will offer significant discounts if you are happy to restrict your choices of hospitals.

Can I afford PMI cover?

Up to now PMI has often been seen as a luxury, However now there is strong competition between insurers to offer affordable health insurance, a range of benefits and levels of cover are offered, making PMI cover affordable for more people.

Will my insurer need my medical history?

Some health insurance companies may require your medical history to be revealed at time of application this is to access previous medical conditions and history with a view of putting a special conditions clause against the policy holder due to ongoing medical background This is commonly known as Fully Underwritten form of cover Your insurer may also wish to contact your GP for verification and further details.

What are the different types of health insurance available and what do they it cover?

Private medical insurance (PMI) is what is meant by the term health insurance, there are three main types of PMI offered; budget, standard and comprehensive. Budget covers inpatient treatment, meaning diagnostic tests, consultant's fees and some outpatient treatments, however in most cases consultation fee's and diagnostic tests are not covered, standard cover protects you for full inpatient treatment like operations and selected outpatient treatments, comprehensive cover is the top level available and includes full inpatient cover, outpatient cover, MRI and CT scans and a host of other benefits including psychiatric, travel, dental, home nursing, chiropody, recuperative care and hospital expenses.

Do I need Private Medical Insurance (PMI) even though the NHS is available?

According to the government the UK's population is set to continue to increase over coming years, this will leave the NHS under further pressure to cope with demands. Waiting lists are already a major problem for patients in the UK, despite government funding to improve the NHS, this is not looking to get any better.

MRSA is also becoming a growing concern for NHS patients, PMI will allow you to choose where and when you receive your treatment, according to research people recover more quickly when treated privately.

What is Moratorium Underwriting?

This is a common form of underwriting used by insurance companies in the UK, it covers each individual under a policy excluding any medical conditions that have been treated with advice, treatment or medication in the five years preceding the beginning of the insurance. If all treatment, including medication, ceases after 2 years then your cover will resume for that condition. However some insurers will not cover some pre-existing conditions unless you specifically design your policy to cover them. Specialist policies are available for cancer cover.

Moratorium Underwriting is a quicker application process so your cover will start sooner after your initial application.

What is Full Underwriting?

Each individual covered by the policy must provide the insurer with a medical declaration, the underwriter will use this information to assess the risk factor for the insurance policy. Any serious pre-existing medical conditions can be permanently excluded from cover at this point.

What should I consider?

It is important to be completely honest on your health insurance application, if you fail to tell the truth, or disclose relevant information, any future claims could be rejected or your policy deemed totally in-valid.

How much will it cost?

The cost of cover will depend on age and status (single, married or family) it is important to be completely truthful with the insurer when purchasing your policy to ensure that your policy is valid should you need to make a claim.

How do I renew my health insurance policy?

If you already possess a health insurance policy, and are looking to renew it could be worth comparing the offers available to you. As people's age rises so do policy prices, some health insurers offer a no claims bonus, similar to the kind you receive on car insurance, this could keep your premium costs down. Search through the deals available on the market to ensure you get the best price and package you can.

What if I want to change insurers?

Many PMI insurers are offering customers the option to transfer their existing health insurance policy to them, this is known as switch facility. In many cases you will need to be fully underwritten to switch from one provider to another, you must also be careful to ensure your cover remains continuous as you switch. Ask PMI Healthcare advisors for details

How do I decide which cover is right for me?

To help you decide on your level of cover phone PMI Healthcare Advisers who will discuss with you all of the options available.

Alternatively, if you are unsure about how to choose the right health insurance for you, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has produced a guide to buying private health insurance.

How much will my cover cost?

Your personal quotation will reflect the level of cover you choose for you and your family. You can choose to reduce the cost of your health insurance cover by selecting a higher excess, and you can even opt for a fixed price option.

Is my health cover renewed every year?

Your insurer will write to you at least 21 days before your renewal date, and your annual cover will automatically renew unless you decide to end your cover.

Will the price of my cover increase if I claim?

Your individual premiums can be influenced by the number of claims you make and many insurers have a 'no claims bonus' system where a claim will reduce your discount. Premiums are primarily based on the number and cost of treatments, both of which are rising all the time.

For these reasons, we hope you understand why subscription charges may increase.

How does an excess work?

Including an excess on your policy can help to reduce the cost of your subscriptions. It means you will have to pay for part of your treatment, up to the amount of excess you have chosen. The excess amount usually applies annually to each person included in your policy

Can I add other members of my family to my policy?

You can add your partner or your children (including newborn children/adopted children) as dependants on your policy at any time.

What things aren't covered?

It is important to read the product literature from the insurer you have chosen. This will detail what you are not covered for. For example: Chronic conditions.

How do I pay my premiums?

There are two options available to you. You can pay your subscriptions in one go via debit / credit card or monthly by direct debit. Payment is due on the date the cover is to begin and every agreed period thereafter.

Questions and answers are provided by PMI Healthcare