Key takeaways
- In the UK, private health insurance, private medical insurance (PMI) and medical insurance all mean the same core product.
- It pays for private diagnosis and treatment of new, acute conditions, alongside the NHS.
- A health cash plan is a different product: it pays back everyday costs like dental and optical up to set limits.
Search for cover and you’ll see a confusing mix of names: private health insurance, private medical insurance, PMI, medical insurance, health cover. The good news is that, in the UK, most of these describe exactly the same thing. Here’s a plain-English guide.
The short answer
Private health insurance, private medical insurance and medical insurance are, for practical purposes, the same product. Insurers tend to use “private medical insurance” (PMI) in their documents; most people search for “private health insurance” or simply “health insurance”. All of them pay for private diagnosis and treatment of new, acute conditions, so you can be seen faster and choose where you’re treated.
The names, decoded
- Private medical insurance (PMI): the formal, industry name.
- Private health insurance: the everyday name, and the most searched.
- Medical insurance: a shorter version you’ll see on comparison sites and in adverts.
- Health cover / medical cover: loose terms, sometimes used for PMI and sometimes for cash plans, so check what’s meant.
- Group health insurance / company PMI: the same cover, arranged by an employer for a team.
The one that is different: health cash plans
A health cash plan is a separate product. Instead of covering hospital treatment, it pays you back for everyday costs such as dental check-ups, glasses, physiotherapy and prescriptions, up to set yearly limits. It’s cheaper, but it won’t pay for surgery or cancer treatment. See our guide to health insurance vs a health cash plan.
And travel or life insurance?
Travel insurance covers medical emergencies abroad, not planned private treatment at home. Life insurance and critical illness cover pay out a lump sum rather than paying for treatment. They can sit alongside private medical insurance but don’t replace it.
Whatever you call it, the question is the same: when you need treatment, how fast can you be seen, where, and what will the policy actually pay for?
What it typically covers
- Specialist consultations and diagnostic tests, including scans.
- Private hospital treatment and surgery.
- Cancer care, often including drugs and therapies.
- On many policies, mental health support, physiotherapy and a digital GP.
It generally doesn’t cover emergencies (A&E stays with the NHS), long-term chronic conditions, or conditions you already had before the policy started. Our guide to how private health insurance works explains the detail.
Compare it, whatever you call it
ComparePMI compares private health insurance across a wide panel of UK insurers, including Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, Aviva, WPA and The Exeter, so you can see your options side by side. We don’t give advice or favour any insurer; if you’d like advice or decide to go ahead, we introduce you to an FCA-authorised firm who provides it and arranges your cover. It’s free and there’s no obligation. Compare private health insurance.
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This article is general information, not personal advice. Cover, terms and availability vary by insurer and individual circumstances. ComparePMI is the trading style of ComparePMI Limited (company no. 16755241), an independent comparison and introduction service, not tied to any insurer. We do not provide advice or arrange cover ourselves and are not FCA-regulated; we introduce you to FCA-authorised and regulated firms who provide the advice and arrange your cover.