Introduction
With private hospital admissions paid for with private medical insurance at an all time high, you may be considering taking out a policy, or want to check whether the one you have is the best one for you.
Below we provide profiles of the four largest health insurance providers in the UK, to give you some help with your decision. They are displayed in alphabetical order.
There are some important points to note at the end of this guide, which apply to all insurers, as well as some example costs.
Private Medical Insurance Profile: Aviva
Who is Aviva?
Aviva is a UK-based insurer offering a range of financial and insurance products, including private medical insurance for individuals, families and businesses.
How do Aviva’s policies work?
Aviva’s policies are tiered plans from Basic to Comprehensive.
This means:
- Core cover includes hospital treatment (inpatient and day-patient care)
- Some policies include a set level of outpatient cover
- Additional options can be added depending on the plan.
What does this mean for me?
This structure may appeal to you if you’re looking for a simpler approach to choosing your level of cover.
What is usually covered by Aviva?
Aviva policies usually include:
- Inpatient and day-patient treatment, such as surgery and hospital stays
- Consultant and hospital fees are ‘Fee Assured’
- Diagnostic tests and scans, if linked to inpatient hospital treatment
- Cancer care, included within core cover.
Depending on the policy, cover may also include:
- Outpatient consultations and tests (limits include £500 or £1,000)
- Mental health treatment
- Therapies, such as physiotherapy.
The level of cover will depend on the policy chosen.
What is ‘Fee Assured’?
Fee Assured means as an Aviva registered consultant, they must charge in accordance with Aviva’s published fees.
What to check carefully?
As with all private medical insurance, the details of an Aviva policy can vary. Aviva customers may wish to check the following:
- Your outpatient limits
- The hospitals included on your plan’s list
- The excess you would need to pay towards your treatment
- Any treatments, tests or referrals which would need approval in advance.
Aviva policies may include digital and online services. Aviva also offer a 6-week NHS option that lowers your monthly premiums. You agree to use the NHS for inpatient or day-patient treatment if the NHS can provide it within six weeks. If the NHS waiting list is longer than that, Aviva will fund your private care.
Why would I choose Aviva?
Depending on your preferences, Aviva policies may be relevant if you:
- are looking for a simpler structure with fewer decisions to make
- want a policy with a set combination of features
- are comparing options based on cost and included cover.
Private Medical Insurance Profile: AXA Health
Who is AXA Health?
AXA Health is a UK-based private medical insurer and part of a global insurance group. It provides policies for individuals, families and employers, with a focus on flexible cover options and digital services.
How does AXA’s policies work?
AXA Health’s policies are marketed as highly flexible.
This means:
- Core cover includes hospital treatment (inpatient and day-patient care)
- Policies can be built using different components, such as outpatient care and mental health
- Levels of cover can vary between individuals on the same policy.
What does this mean for me?
You can tailor your insurance based on:
- Budget
- Preferred hospitals
- Specific detail to include or not.
What is usually covered by AXA?
AXA Health policies usually include:
- Inpatient and day-patient treatment, such as surgery and hospital stays
- Consultant and hospital fees if they are ‘Fee Approved’ or ‘Fee Limited’
- Diagnostic tests and scans, if linked to inpatient hospital treatment.
AXA offers optional modules to include:
- Outpatient consultations and tests. This could be limited to £500 or ‘Full’ cover.
- Mental health treatment called ‘Stronger Mind’
- Comprehensive cancer cover as part of ‘Heart and Cancer’
- Direct access to physiotherapy via ‘Working Body’.
What are Fee Approved and Fee Limited?
Fee Approved is when a consultant has an agreed contract with AXA Health and AXA will pay their fees in full.
Fee Limited is when a consultant does not have an agreed contract in place, but AXA Health will cover their fees to a set limit. If the consultant charges more than this set limit, you are responsible for paying the difference.
What to check carefully?
As with all private medical insurance, the details of an AXA Health policy can vary. AXA customers may wish to check the following:
- Your outpatient limits
- The hospitals included on your plan’s list
- The excess you would need to pay towards your treatment
- Any treatments, tests or referrals which would need approval in advance.
AXA Health offers some additional services which include apps, structured care pathways for some conditions, options to configure different types or levels of cover within the same policy and high levels of customisation.
Why would I choose AXA?
Depending on your preferences, AXA Health policies may be relevant if you:
- want a policy with configurable levels of cover
- are interested in digital services and remote access to care
- prefer to tailor different aspects of your cover in detail.
Private Medical Insurance Profile: Bupa
Who is Bupa UK?
Bupa is a UK-based private medical insurer offering policies for individuals, families and employers. It is one of the largest providers of private medical insurance in the UK and operates healthcare services, including hospitals and clinics.
How does Bupa’s policies work?
Bupa policies are typically structured as modular plans.
This means:
- All policies include core cover for hospital treatment (inpatient and day-patient care)
- Additional options can be added, such as outpatient care, mental health cover, or therapies
- Patients can choose between different levels of cover, which impacts both the price and hospitals they can access.
What does this mean for me?
You can tailor your insurance based on:
- Budget
- Preferred hospitals
- Level of access to healthcare.
What is usually covered by Bupa?
Bupa policies usually include:
- Inpatient and day-patient treatment, such as surgery and hospital stays
- Consultant and hospital fees if they are 'Bupa Recognised'.
- Cancer care, as part of core cover
- Diagnostic tests and scans, if linked to inpatient hospital treatment.
Depending on the policy you choose, cover may also include:
- Outpatient consultations and tests. This could be limited to £500, £1,000 or unlimited.
- Mental health treatment
- Therapies, such as physiotherapy.
The level of cover will depend on the options selected when the policy is set up.
What is BUPA Recognised?
Bupa Recognised is when a consultant or hospital has an agreement with Bupa to charge within their fee limits. If you use a Fee Assured consultant, you will be advised that you will not receive any extra bills or cover shortfalls for their fees.
What to check carefully?
As with all private medical insurance, the details of a Bupa policy can vary. Bupa customers may wish to check the following.
- Your outpatient limits
- The hospitals included on your plan’s list
- The excess you would need to pay towards your treatment
- Any treatments, tests or referrals which would need approval in advance.
Bupa offers some additional services which include apps, remote consultations, access to Bupa-owned hospitals and clinics, and options for consultant choice or guided by them.
Why would I choose Bupa?
Depending on your preferences, Bupa policies may be relevant if you:
- want a policy with configurable levels of cover
- are considering access to a wide network of private hospitals
- live near a Bupa owned hospital or clinic
- prefer a policy that combines insurance with healthcare services
- are comparing a range of options across different price and coverage levels.
Private Medical Insurance Profile: Vitality
Who is Vitality?
Vitality is a UK-based private medical insurer with an international owner that offering policies to individuals, families and employers. They incentivise you to live a healthy lifestyle through a rewards programme that includes discounted gym memberships, a smart watch benefit, free cinema tickets and discounts on travel.
How do Vitality policies work?
Vitality policies are typically structured as modular plans with integrated wellbeing features.
This means:
- Core cover includes hospital treatment (inpatient and day-patient care)
- Additional cover options can be selected
- The policy is linked to a health and activity programme.
What does this mean for me?
Some aspects of the policy, such as cost or rewards, may be influenced by your commitment to levels of physical activity each year.
What is usually covered by Vitality?
Vitality policies usually include:
- Inpatient and day-patient treatment, such as surgery and hospital stays
- Consultant and hospital fees (if a recognised Vitality provider)
- Diagnostic tests and scans, if linked to inpatient hospital treatment
- Cancer care, included within core cover.
Depending on the policy, cover may also include:
- Outpatient consultations and tests (limits include £500 or £1,000)
- Mental health treatment
- Therapies, such as physiotherapy.
The level of cover will depend on the policy chosen.
What is a Vitality Provider?
A Vitality Provider is consultant or hospital who has been recognised by Vitality Health and charges within their published fee range, with exceptions where this is not feasible.
What to check carefully?
As with all private medical insurance, the details of a Vitality policy can vary. Vitality customers may wish to check the following.
- Your outpatient limits
- The hospitals included on your plan’s list
- The excess you would need to pay towards your treatment
- Any treatments, tests or referrals which would need approval in advance.
Vitality policies may include health and well-being programmes, rewards or incentives, and digital tools and remote services using app-based support.
Why would I choose Vitality?
Depending on your preferences, Vitality policies may be relevant if you:
- are interested in policies that include wellbeing programmes and incentives
- are comfortable engaging with digital tools and activity tracking
- want a policy combining insurance with ongoing health engagement.
How much is private medical insurance?
As you can see there are lots of variable elements that can impact the price you pay.
Assuming you are a 55-year-old man who does not smoke, has no previous medical conditions and have never had private medical insurance before, typical monthly costs could be ~£82.
| Example monthly payment | Additional info | |
|---|---|---|
| Aviva | £100.03 | Expert Select hospitals Full Cancer Cover |
| AXA Health | £81.78 | Optional cancer care module |
| BUPA | £110.75 | Essential Access Cancer Cover |
| Vitality | £83.58 | Consultant Select Advanced Cancer Cover |
Assumptions : Excess £500, Moratorium Underwriting (if asked), Mental Health and Dentistry excluded, Outpatients £500 excess. Minimum consultant/hospital access. Prices are indicative as of 27 May 2026.
Please note: These examples are illustrative only and should not be used to compare insurers directly, as prices depend on individual circumstances and policy choices.
Important to know
The level of cover depends on the specific policy and options selected.
Pricing will vary based on age, location, and chosen cover.
Pre-existing conditions are usually excluded or restricted
Because policies are highly customisable, it is important to review policy documents carefully before deciding.
