Private health and protection insurance expert and editor
Private medical insurance (PMI) can help you bypass lengthy NHS waiting lists so you can access medical treatment as and when you need it. But is there a point where your age can prevent you from accessing cover (as it can with life insurance)? To help you plan for your health regardless of age, here’s what to consider.
Health insurance in the UK is available to people over the age of 18 and to those younger if they are included on a family policy.
Most providers don't have upper age limits for existing customers, but some won't offer cover to new members beyond certain ages.
Here's a list of the current upper age limits for new health insurance policies from the UK's leading providers (Jan 2024):
Of course, the older you are, the more expensive your policy will be, and many people in later life will opt to reduce cover levels or introduce a bigger excess to avoid large premiums as much as possible.
For additional information, please read our guide to health insurance premiums.
Upper age limits vary by health provider. Some have strict criteria for acceptance after your 65 birthday, with others covering people of all ages.
In most cases, you’ll find the cut-off is around 80 years old for new private health insurance policies. Existing policyholders will usually be able to renew their cover, but there may be restrictions, and it will be at your provider’s discretion.
To buy a policy, you’ll typically need to be at least 18 years old. If you’ve got children, you can add them to your policy, usually for an additional charge. Some health insurers will even offer incentives if you choose to add children to your policy. For example, if you add two or more children to an Aviva policy, you’ll only pay for your eldest child.
Yes, you can. The average limit for new policies is 80 years old, so at 75, you should still have a good choice of providers.
Yes, you can still find private health insurance if you’re 80 years old (or over). Bear in mind that many health insurance providers have an upper age limit of 80 years old. If you’re older than this and looking for a new policy, you may find your choice of provider limited.
If you’re renewing your policy with your existing health insurer, there shouldn’t be any issues (subject to their terms and conditions).
Yes, it does. Generally, you can expect the cost of private health insurance to rise as you get older. This is simply because we’re more likely to suffer from health problems as we age.
However, the effect age has on the overall cost of your policy varies. If you have a basic or mid-level policy, you may see premiums rise marginally. If you have a more comprehensive package, you’re more likely to see significant price rises, particularly after the age of 50.
While age plays a part in helping health insurers work out your premium, it’s not the only factor. Your health insurance provider will also consider:
Where you live – if you live somewhere with high hospital running costs, you can expect to pay more.
Your lifestyle – smoking and regularly drinking alcohol over the recommended limit can increase your premium as there’s a greater chance of developing an illness.
The policy you choose – the more your policy covers, the higher your premium is likely to be.
This depends on your health insurance provider. If you’re part of a group health insurance scheme, your existing provider may offer some continuity with a personal health insurance plan.
If this is an option available to you, don’t assume that a new policy will cover everything your previous work scheme covered. Double-check the terms and compare other policies to help ensure you get the best package for your needs.
There are multiple benefits to private health insurance. You can expect to access treatment far quicker compared to the NHS. Plus, depending on your level of cover, you’ll also be able to choose where you’re treated and by who.
That said, private healthcare doesn’t cover everything, so you should weigh up the pros and cons before committing to a plan.
You’ll be able to choose your level of cover, so your own policy will depend on what you’ve selected. Typical policies include:
If you’re looking for more information about your private health insurance options, these guides may help:
Private health insurance usually excludes pre-existing medical conditions. This means anything you’ve suffered from in the past five years or had symptoms of will not be covered.
In most cases, insurers will reinstate cover if you’ve been symptom free for a certain period of time, usually two years. You can find out more in our guide to pre-existing medical conditions.
Private health insurance should benefit you, so when you compare policies, consider:
Private health insurance can feel like an expensive option, but it doesn’t have to be. You can keep costs as low as possible by:
Basic policies typically cover the essentials, such as inpatient and day-patient treatment, as well as virtual GP access. If this is all you need, you’ll pay less than policies with extensive features.
Private health insurers work with a network of hospitals so you can choose where you’re treated. The wider the network (for example, if it’s nationwide), the more you can expect to pay. If you’d prefer to be treated locally, you can keep costs down by limiting the network of hospitals to just your region.
As well as your hospital network, health insurers also offer you a choice of consultant, either from an unrestricted list or a restricted (guided) list.
Opting for an unrestricted list means you can choose any consultant you think is best for your needs. As you might expect, this is the more expensive option.
Guided lists are where your insurer provides a list of consultants for you to choose from (they will all be specialists in their relevant fields).
Choosing a guided list can help keep your PMI premium down as your insurer will have selected consultants who work within the budget available.
Increasing your excess can reduce your overall premium. Nevertheless, remember that you must pay your excess if you want a claim to go ahead. With that in mind, it shouldn’t be so high that it becomes prohibitive.
Some insurers offer incentives and discounts if you take an interest in maintaining your health. For example, Vitality health insurance policies offer points if you’re active. Those points can be exchanged for rewards such as cinema tickets and vouchers.
Specialist brokers are experts in their field and can help you find health insurance to fit your needs and your budget.
If you’re interested in finding out more, contact us. We can put you in touch with a regulated broker who can explain what’s available and your options.
Disclaimer: This information is general and what is best for you will depend on your personal circumstances. Please speak with a financial adviser or do your own research before making a decision.
Chris Steele is myTribe’s resident expert in private health insurance and healthcare, with over a decade of experience in the field. As a Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) qualified professional, he has helped countless consumers navigate private medical insurance. Regularly quoted by national media, Chris is a trusted voice in the UK insurance industry, with his insights featured in leading consumer finance publications.
Currently, no. Bupa does not have a maximum age limit for private health insurance.
Vitality's age limit for new members is typicaly 80 years old.
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