About 70% of people who use private healthcare pay for it with private medical insurance, also called private health insurance. That doesn't mean everyone understands what to do or how to choose a provider. People may not know how to select a policy or what to pay attention to.
We know that this is just one of the many areas of private healthcare that people want to know more about. We've added new guides to the 'Understanding private healthcare' section of our website to support understanding private medical insurance (PMI). These resources can help you with two key areas: choosing your policy in the first place and what happens if that policy stops covering you during your treatment.
How to compare private medical insurance
Choosing private medical insurance can be confusing, especially when policies look similar but work differently in practice.
This guide breaks down what really matters when comparing private medical insurance (PMI) policies -- including what is and is not covered, costs, hospital choice, and how your medical history affects cover. It also highlights how major UK insurers differ, helping you ask the right questions and make a more confident, informed choice.
What happens if your PMI funding runs out
If your private medical insurance (PMI) funding stops during treatment, you can feel uncertain -- but you do have options.
This guide explains what to do next, from checking why your funding ended to understanding your choices for continuing care.
It includes important choices like paying for your own treatment, switching to the NHS, or asking your insurance company to reconsider their decision. This can help you feel more informed and in control during a tough time.
Other PMI guides
We also have a more detailed guide to help with understanding private medical insurance:
Paying for treatment with private medical insurance and one on the benefits of insurance for small businesses who may be considering getting insurance for their teams.
Q&A
Question: What is private medical insurance (PMI) and how common is it in private healthcare? Short answer: PMI stands for private medical insurance, and about 70% of people who use private healthcare pay for it this way. Despite its popularity, choosing and using PMI can be confusing, which is why PHIN has created guides to help people understand policies and what to do if cover changes during treatment.
Question: I’m choosing a PMI policy—what should I compare? Short answer: The “How to compare private medical insurance” guide focuses on what really matters: what is and isn’t covered, overall costs, your choice of hospitals, and how your medical history affects cover. It also highlights how major UK insurers differ in practice, helping you ask the right questions and make a more confident, informed choice.
Question: What should I do if my PMI funding stops during treatment? Short answer: The “What happens if your PMI funding runs out” guide explains next steps: check why your funding ended, then consider your options—paying for your own treatment, switching to the NHS, or asking your insurer to reconsider their decision. It’s designed to help you feel more informed and in control at a difficult time.
Question: Where can I find these guides and who are they for? Short answer: They’re in the “Understanding private healthcare” section of our website. They’re for anyone wanting clearer guidance on choosing a PMI policy or navigating what happens if cover stops during treatment.
Question: Are there other PMI resources, including for small businesses? Short answer: Yes. In addition to the two guides above, there’s a more detailed guide on paying for treatment with PMI and another specifically for small businesses considering insurance for their teams.
