Hot Topics

What Is Covered By Private Medical Insurance?: Private Medical Insurance is designed to cover only treatment for curable, short term illness or injury. Some illnesses and treatments can never be expected to be included in any policy.
What does the term ‘out-patient' mean?: This is the term that most private medical insurance policies use for treatment given at a hospital which does not require an overnight stay, or any recovery time.
I Have a Pre-existing Medical Condition - How Does This Affect My Insurance?: Private medical insurance does not normally cover a pre-existing medical condition.
What Is a ‘moratorium' Cover?: Moratorium cover means to take a private medical insurance policy without providing any medical history.
Is Private Medical Insurance Regulated?: Yes. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) now regulates the sale of Private Medical Insurance.

I Have a Pre-existing Medical Condition - How Does This Affect My Insurance?

Private medical insurance does not normally cover a pre-existing medical condition.

This is defined as a medical condition which has been diagnosed, has required medical treatment or for which you have sought medical advice before signing up for the insurance plan.

This area of PMI is not always clear cut, but your insurance policy should clearly stipulate the time period in which pre-existing medical conditions are exempt from the policy, for example it may be that if you sought medical advice over two years ago for the complaint then your insurance will cover you.

Some insurance policies will allow a pre-existing medical condition in exchange for higher premiums - as long as full details are provided from the outset.

The rules about pre-existing medical conditions can make it difficult for people to change insurers - especially as they get older and have suffered from more medical complaints.