Frequently Asked Questions

If you can’t find the answer to your question on choosing and buying private health cover with Best Health UK, just pick up the phone and speak to one of our specialist advisers. Call 0800 073 0582. No fee. No obligation.

Private medical insurance cover – general

What is private medical insurance?

Private Health Cover or Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is the protection against the costs of hospital and medical care or lost income, arising from an illness or injury. Often people take out private medical insurance so that they can ‘go private’ in an emergency and get treatment outside of the NHS.

Why can’t I rely on the NHS?

The NHS is acknowledged as one of the best providers of medical care in the world, especially for accidents, emergencies and life threatening illnesses. Unfortunately there are long waiting lists for many conditions and the NHS finds it difficult to offer priority treatment for everyone. In addition, with private treatment you may have access to more expensive drugs not available on the NHS. Hygiene is also an issue, with higher risks of picking up viruses and infections during routine treatment. Finally, many of us prefer a level of privacy and comfort that NHS hospitals find hard to deliver. Medical insurance helps people by providing rapid access to top-quality care.

How long are NHS waiting lists?

The NHS has an 18 week referral treatment pledge – which is just under 5 months. But a small percentage of patients can wait up to 26 weeks. Most people just want to get back to normal after falling ill or having an accident. Planning your cover with Best Health means rapid access to consultants, diagnostic tests and private hospital treatment should you need it.

Can anyone apply for private health cover?

Anyone resident in the UK can apply for private health cover with Best Health. If you are resident elsewhere, we can arrange suitable cover.

Do I really need cover for low-priority or non-urgent conditions?

Unfortunately, ‘low-priority’ does not mean ‘not serious’. You could wait up to 26 weeks for a triple bypass for example, or for a hip replacement or the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. Waiting can be worrying and painful and prevent you from leading a normal fulfilling life. And it could stop you from earning your living!

Will I need a medical or doctor’s report?

There is no need for a doctor’s report or a medical examination. Cover is easy to arrange. All you have to do is complete the application and acceptance form. When you buy medical insurance, you choose from two types of cover – moratorium and full medical underwriting which require different levels of disclosure on your medical history.

Types of private medical insurance cover

What type of policy is right for me?

There are many different types of policy available for various budgets (see below), so it’s always worth talking to an expert. You can then be sure you’re making the right decision and not paying for cover you don’t need. Our advice is free, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. Meanwhile here’s an overview of the main policy types.

Basic Cover

Typically includes inpatient treatment (day and overnight stays in hospitals), including expensive operations, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Most outpatient treatments are excluded from budget cover. Diagnostic tests and consultant’s fees may be covered, only if they result in inpatient hospital stay.

Mid-range Cover

Full inpatient treatment is covered, including expensive operations and a range of outpatient treatments, specialist consultations and diagnostic procedures i.e. pathology, radiology, computerised tomography, MRI scans, radiotherapy and chemotherapy – up to a limit of anything between £500 and £2000 depending on insurer. Therapies, such as treatments by osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists etc. are covered up to variable, specified limits.

Comprehensive Cover

This type of cover includes all inpatient treatment and unlimited outpatient cover, as described in ‘standard’ above. There is no limit on MRI and CT scans and other therapies as described above, including psychiatric cover, travel cover, dental cover, home-nursing costs, chiropody, recuperative care and incidental hospital expenses (such as telephone calls and newspapers).

Please remember that every policy is different and getting a no-obligation quote is the best guide to what’s available in your budget.

What does ‘underwriting’ mean?

When you apply for a private medical insurance policy, your insurer will evaluate the risk of insuring you by asking about your medical history. This information will be used to underwrite the policy – i.e. the process whereby the insurer decides whether to offer coverage, what they will cover and what premium rate to set. There are two types of underwriting:

• Moratorium cover. This type of underwriting does not require details of your medical history but relies on you to understand that if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, they will be excluded from cover. The benefit is quick, simple application.
• Full medical underwriting. This requires you to provide details of your medical history in a health questionnaire. Existing conditions will then be taken into consideration (and either excluded or result in additional premium being charged). The process is more time-consuming, but the insurer will list exactly what is excluded from your policy before you commit.

If you change your policy, the new insurer will not usually add any exclusions for medical conditions you’ve experienced since taking out the original policy. They will usually underwrite the policy using ‘switch’ terms.

In all cases, your insurer may contact your GP but you do not need a medical report or examination. Please be truthful and answer any questions on your application in full. Failure to disclose any information could lead to rejected claims and an invalid private health cover policy.

In most cases you will not be covered for any conditions that you have had in the 5 years. You will regain cover for these if they do not recur during the first 2 years of cover.

Will it cost me less if I buy straight from the insurer?

Medical insurance providers charge you the same premium whether you use us or not. So you won’t get a cheaper policy going straight to the insurer. With Best Health UK, you’ll save time and money year after year with our free annual review and comparisons, plus you’ll receive ongoing support and help with claims.

Can you get all the best plans from leading insurers?

We represent all medical insurers, such as BUPA, Norwich Union, Axa PPP, Health-on-Line, Western Providents Association, BCWA etc. We use our expertise to search the whole market and offer you the best deals to suit your individual needs. We are independent brokers, authorised and registered by the FSA.

We can also access many plans with great rates you won’t get elsewhere. So there is more chance we’ll find the right policy for you! For example Axa PPP Healthcover range and Bupa Client Choice. We also have a bespoke plan with Pruhealth that other brokers cannot offer, and which you can’t buy direct.

What’s typically excluded from cover?

All plans will normally exclude any pre-existing condition and incurable/chronic conditions. Depending on the type of plan you choose (budget, standard, comprehensive) the insurer will make clear various exclusions and limits. See ‘Will I be covered for medical problems I’ve had in the past’ and ‘What types of policies are available?’

Will I be covered for medical problems I’ve had in the past?

Any condition you have suffered in the two years prior to taking out your policy will automatically be covered once you’ve been clear of this condition for two consecutive years after taking out your policy. Alternatively, you can opt for full medical underwriting and complete a health questionnaire. Existing conditions will then be taken into consideration and they will either be excluded or an additional premium charged.

Will I need to pay an excess on my premium?

No, but on certain policies you may be able to opt to pay an excess in order to reduce your premiums (i.e. you agree to pay a fixed sum to cover the first part of a claim). It’s one way you can access a better core policy for less, especially if you’re on a tight budget!

How can I avoid paying for something I don’t need?

The easiest way is to talk to us. Our comparison quotes clearly outline the best policies for you, what’s covered and what’s not. But if you tell us your concerns, we’ll help you understand the small print so you know exactly what you’re buying.

I’m on a budget. How can I reduce my premiums?

• Lower the risk. You can reduce your premium if you reduce your likelihood of making a claim. For instance, if you’ ve lost weight or given up smoking (min of 12 months), you might want to get a new comparison quote.
• Restrict your options. There are ways of reducing the premiums on your core policy by placing restrictions on a policy that you’re happy with. For instance:
  • Pay an excess – a set sum to cover first part of a claim
  • Co-payment – agree to pay a % of any claim
  • Six-week wait – agree to access NHS treatment if it’s available within 6 weeks (you can access private treatment immediately if the waiting period is longer).
  • Restrict your choice of hospitals

Just get in touch if you’d like to discuss ways to lower your premium on your core policy.

Will my premiums increase as I get older or if I make a claim?

Your medical insurance premiums will increase as you move into each age band. But few companies increase premiums in relation to the number of claims you make. Premiums may increase generally if new procedures are added or if medical costs or insurance premium tax increases. Whatever happens, you will always get plenty of notice.

Can anyone be covered with Best Health’s medical insurance?

Anyone resident in the UK can apply for private health cover with Best Health UK. If you are resident elsewhere, we can arrange suitable cover.

Can I change my medical insurance company?

Yes! If you are currently insured you can switch to most other schemes and still retain cover for conditions that are covered by your existing insurer. Each year Best Health will review your healthcare needs and suggest the best option.

Best Health’s Comparison Quote Service

Am I under any obligation by applying?

No. Our service is free and impartial, whether or not you become a customer. And if you do apply for a policy with Best Health, you have 14 days in which to review it. If it isn’t for you, simply cancel and you won’t owe a penny.

Will I receive sales calls after applying?

We have a commitment to professionalism. We do not ‘hard sell’ or pester customers who are shopping around for the best policy. If you contact us, we’ll follow up your request to send a comparison quote and discuss the options at a convenient time for you. You will not receive sales calls unrelated to your request, and your private details will be held in strictest confidence.

Do you research the whole market?

We are independent specialist private medical insurance brokers, so we use our expert knowledge to find a shortlist of policies that are right for you by searching the whole market. We’ll present you with over 20 quotes, outlining monthly premiums from leading insurers (including BUPA, Norwich Union, Axa PPP, Health-on-Line, Western Provident Association etc). We also have access to a number of exclusive policies and rates not available unless you go through certain intermediaries. This means there is more chance of us finding the right policy for you.

We’ll make a recommendation on the best policies for you; and send through details to discuss. You are under no-obligation to purchase.

How quickly will I receive my quotes?

An expert adviser will contact you on the day we receive your enquiry. In order to provide you with comparison quotes and a recommendation, we’ll ask you a few questions over the phone at a time that suits you. Alternatively we can simply email you a comparison quote based on the information you’ve provided to us via email.

How will the quote be presented?

We will email you a quote from over 20 leading insurers with policies that are best suited to your circumstances and budget. The document outlines monthly premiums and excess options, if applicable (i.e. ways to reduce the monthly premiums without affecting the cover). We also make recommendations on the best policies for you, and send through full details for you to look at. We’ll help you with any queries you have comparing different policies.

Can I receive my quote by post?

Depending on your preference, we can email or post your comparison quote and details on our recommended options.

Are you biased to any particular insurers?

No. We are independent, specialist private medical insurance brokers and our advice is completely impartial, based on the right policy for you and your budget. When we sell a policy, we get a standard commission from insurers, regulated by the FSA. It is this income that allows us to offer you free service and support. We have no allegiance to any insurer.

Do you make recommendations?

Because we’re experts in the field of private medical insurance, we’re well placed to research the market and make recommendations on your behalf. We do this by taking time to understand your specific needs and budgetary restraints. Our recommendations are impartial (we have no allegiance to any particular insurer)

Our service – general

Do you offer any other insurance services?

Yes. We can arrange best policies, best prices on dental insurance, overseas medical insurance cover, employee assistance programmes, life insurance, cash plans, critical illness cover, income protection and accident, sickness and unemployment cover. See ‘Other Insurance Services’

Will it cost me less if I buy straight from the insurer?

Medical insurance providers charge you the same premium whether you use us or not. So you won’t get a cheaper policy going straight to the insurer. With Best Health, you’ll save time and money year after year with our free annual review, plus ongoing support and help with claims.

How can I trust that you’ll act in my best interest?

Best Health UK is an appointed representative of Chase Templeton Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Firm Registration Number 311612. We are truly independent with no allegiance to any insurer. Our commitment to you is to deliver value with professionalism and respect for your choices. We don’t do ‘hard sell’ and your personal details will always be held in strictest confidence.

Can I contact someone if I have a query?

Our small team of expert advisers would love to hear from you, whether you’re a customer or just browsing for the best private health cover for you. Call now on 0800 073 0582 or 0117 370 0350 or email info@besthealthuk.co.uk.

Note: Once a customer of Best Health, you’ll always have a personal adviser on whom you can rely to help if you have a query or need to make a claim.

Is your service absolutely free?

Yes, it’s absolutely free. Our advice is impartial and we have no allegiance to any particular insurer. We earn money by selling policies on behalf of all insurers, who pay standard commissions regulated by the F.S.A. See also: Are you biased to any particular insurers?

If you buy a policy through Best Health UK, you will receive free ongoing support, annual reviews and help with claims.

Are my personal details secure?

We take great care to protect the privacy of customers and visitors to this site. Some information is collected when you visit the site. We will not disclose any personal information we collect about you to a third party without your consent. Third party sites are covered by their own privacy policy.

How will you help if I have to make a claim?

We’re happy to help you or your family in making arrangements following an accident or if you fall ill. At a stressful time, the last thing you need is to deal with insurance procedures. It’s a service you’ll receive at no extra cost.

How can I contact you?

Call: 0117 370 0350 or 0800 073 0582

Email: info@besthealthuk.co.uk

Fax: 0872 115 0716

Post: Best Health UK, 148 Wells Road, Bristol, BS4 2AG

Hours: Mon – Fri 9.00am to 5.30pm, Mon – Wed 9.00am to 7.30pm