What does private health insurance cost in the UK?

If you are concerned about long waiting lists and the difficulty in getting access to healthcare, you might want to explore private health insurance. A private healthcare plan gives you swift, easy access to the care you need, when you need it, so you can quickly focus on your recovery. But what is the cost of private health insurance?

Although costs vary, we're here to guide you by explaining the factors which may impact the price of health cover. Your health matters to us, and we believe in being upfront about the facts and figures.

Example average private health insurance cost

To give you an idea of the average cost of our private health insurance we’ve provided an example below.

AXA Health, Personal Health plan

£82.33 per month.

£987.96 per year, or £938.57 per year including a 5% discount for paying annually.

Based on a 40 year old, non-smoker, living in BH8 postcode, including standard outpatient, comprehensive cancer cover, therapies option, and £100 excess.

This example above is designed to give an indication of price, but can vary depending on factors such as your age, your location, your excess and the level of cover you choose. An individual’s circumstances can make a significant difference. The price shown is accurate as of 01/09/2023.

Does age affect the cost of personal health cover?

Your age plays a key role in shaping the cost of your personal health cover. As we age, we can find our bodies might need a little extra medical attention and we may have to navigate more health hiccups.

This is why health cover for an older person might be a bit more costly compared to that for a younger person. Knowing this can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare cover, so that you can stride confidently into the future.

It's also important to note that health insurance is often designed to only cover you for new medical conditions that begin after you join, and not for pre-existing conditions. 

How does excess affect the cost of health insurance?

Excess is an amount you agree to pay if you need any medical treatment, before your health cover jumps in to handle the rest. Here's an example: If you choose an excess of £0, you won't pay anything upfront when you need care, but your overall health cover cost might be a bit higher.

On the other hand, if you choose an excess of £1,000, you'll pay that amount if you need treatment. In return, your overall health cover cost could be lower. If you choose to set a higher excess, you'll need to ensure you can comfortably cover that amount whenever you need medical care so it’s really about choice and what works best for you.

 

Cover options

The level of coverage and the number of optional benefits you decide to include in your plan, will have a direct impact on the cost of health insurance.

To give you flexibility, many health insurers offer a 'core' plan, which you can then tailor with optional extras, or options, to suit your needs. These usually increase the price, but they also provide additional benefits. Some insurers may offer options to reduce your cover from the core level, which could also reduce the price.

It's important to understand what you want from your health insurance plan and to then choose cover that best suits your specific needs. By making an informed choice and tailoring your cover, you can ensure your plan covers everything you need, and you can avoid paying for cover you don’t need.

Why choose an AXA Health plan?

When you have a health concern, you’ll want to find out what’s wrong as quickly as possible.

With an AXA Health plan you’ll get fast access to private health insurance. This means you can be seen and treated swiftly, and you’ll have access to the help and support you need, when you need it. 

Benefits of AXA Health plan

With an AXA Health plan you’ll benefit from…

  • Fast access to private healthcare
  • Comprehensive cancer cover including specialist cancer treatment and access to the latest approved cancer drugs on specialist referral*
  • 24/7 phone and online GP appointments**
  • Telephone physio support, without the need for a GP referral
  • 24/7 health information support line

**Subject to appointment availability.

*Used within the terms of the licence, subject to medical history and cover options chosen.





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Defaqto - 5-Star Rated

Defaqto Expert Rated 5 Stars 2023

We’re proud that our Personal Health plan has been rated 5 stars by independent financial information business, Defaqto.

The Defaqto 5-star rating is based on an assessment of the overall product including all options. If some of the options are not selected, this will affect the product’s star rating.