Private medical insurance is designed to pay the bills for private treatment of ‘acute’ conditions – which means short-term and curable disorders.
In general, policies do not cover the treatment of long-term illnesses which cannot be cured such as asthma, diabetes, parkinsons syndrome, altziemers, multiple sclerosis etc; conditions commonly referred to as ‘chronic’. For more information visit our what isn't covered page

Although there may be limits on the amounts you can claim for in each category, policies will usually pay out for:

• Consultants’ fees for private consultations
• Physicians’ fees
• Operating expenses including surgeons’, anaesthetists’ and operating theatre fees
• Accommodation and nursing charges – often the biggest part of the bill
• X-rays, dressings and medication while you are an in-patient
• Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, physiotherapy, and other types of specialist treatment
• Home nursing charges, if this is recommended by the consultant and follows in-patient treatment
• Out-patient and day-care treatment, if this is linked to treatment you have received as an in-patient.

What might be covered

The more expensive health insurance policies whch are often called gold or platinum cover, may also include cover for:

• Cash benefits if you stay in hospital as an NHS patient
• Out-patient care that is not linked to an in-patient stay
• Emergency treatment while travelling abroad (although the USA and Canada may be excluded and you will not be covered if you go abroad specifically to get treatment)
• Dental treatment
• Some of the costs of giving birth in a private hospital, or complications resulting from pregnancy and childbirth
• Glasses or contact lens prescriptions
• Sight tests
• Critical illness benefit

See also: types of health insurance cover