What does private health insurance usually cover?

Private health insurance usually covers the main elements of private care, such as initial and follow-up consultations, most diagnostic tests, and many day-case or outpatient procedures. However, what’s included varies significantly between insurers and individual policies, so it’s important to check your cover before booking. Some policies restrict which consultants you can see, which hospitals you can use, or how much outpatient care is included each year.

Most insurance policies also have exclusions. These commonly include GP appointments, prescriptions, cosmetic treatments, emergency care, and any treatment that began before the policy was active. Your insurer will be able to confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered under your plan. For more detailed guidance, visit our full guide on paying for private healthcare.