When it comes to protecting your health, knowing what you’re covered for is essential. Many people in the UK are turning to private medical insurance (PMI) to reduce waiting times, access faster treatment, and gain peace of mind but exactly what does private medical insurance cover?
In this guide, we’ll explain what PMI is, break down the key areas of cover, and show how Medical Made Easy can help you find the right plan.
What Is Private Medical Insurance?
Private medical insurance is a policy that helps cover the cost of private healthcare. Instead of relying solely on the NHS, PMI gives you quicker access to consultations, diagnostics, and treatments in private hospitals or clinics.
Depending on your plan, you may be able to choose where you’re treated, who treats you, and access drugs or therapies that aren’t always available on the NHS.
PMI is designed to complement, not replace, the NHS. Emergency and critical care will always be provided by the NHS, but PMI ensures you don’t face long delays for non-urgent but important treatments.
What Does Private Medical Insurance Cover?
Every policy is different, but here are the core areas most private health insurance plans include:
1. Consultations and Specialist Referrals
Fast access to GPs, consultants, and specialists often within days instead of months.
2. Diagnostic Tests and Scans
Cover for blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, helping you get answers quickly.
3. Hospital Stays and Surgery
Private rooms with en-suite facilities, shorter waiting times, and a more comfortable recovery environment.
4. Cancer Care
Access to specialist oncology treatment, chemotherapy, and certain cancer drugs that may not be available through the NHS.
5. Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Support for recovery after illness, injury, or surgery, with access to physiotherapists and follow-up care.
6. Mental Health Support
Many modern policies include counselling, psychiatric treatment, and therapies for stress, anxiety, or depression.
7. Optional Extras:
- Outpatient care (specialist appointments, diagnostics without hospital admission).
- Dental and optical cover.
- Alternative therapies (chiropractic, acupuncture, etc.).
What’s Not Usually Covered?
While PMI offers wide protection, it won’t normally cover: Emergency treatment (NHS handles this), Pre-existing conditions (though some policies, Routine pregnancy and childbirth, Cosmetic or non-essential procedures.
How Medical Made Easy Can Help
Choosing private medical insurance can feel overwhelming, with so many providers, options, and exclusions, how do you know which plan is right for you?
That’s where we come in. We compare policies from across the market, tailor cover to your personal, family, or business needs, review your plan every year to ensure it still offers the best value all while providing ongoing support when you need to make a claim.
Whether you’re looking for individual cover, family protection, or business health insurance, our goal is simple: to make healthcare straightforward, affordable, and stress-free.
Contact Us
Ready to explore your options? Speak to our friendly team and find the private medical insurance that gives you confidence, comfort, and peace of mind.