How Much Does Private Health Insurance Cost in the UK?

Private health insurance in the UK can cost anything from around the price of a mobile phone contract to several hundred pounds per month, depending on your age, location, medical history, level of cover and who is included on the policy. A young adult buying a basic policy may pay under £40 a month, while an older person choosing comprehensive cover with a wide hospital list could pay £150, £250 or more each month.

That wide range is why “how much does private health insurance cost?” is not a question with one neat answer. The real cost depends on what you want the policy to do. A cheaper policy may cover private hospital treatment but offer very limited outpatient consultations and scans. A more expensive policy may include broader cancer cover, mental health support, physiotherapy, a wider hospital list and more freedom to choose consultants.

This guide explains typical UK private health insurance costs, what affects the monthly premium, what may be worth paying extra for, where people accidentally underinsure themselves, and how to compare policies without focusing only on the headline price.

First: what do we mean by private health insurance?

In the UK, private health insurance is usually another name for private medical insurance, often shortened to PMI. It is insurance that helps pay for eligible private healthcare, such as specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, scans, private hospital treatment and planned surgery.

It is not the same as a health cash plan, private GP subscription or dental plan. Those products may help with everyday healthcare costs, but they do not usually provide the same level of cover for private hospital treatment.

If you want a full explanation before looking at prices, read our guide: What is private medical insurance (PMI) in the UK?

How much does private health insurance cost per month in the UK?

As a rough UK guide, private health insurance may cost:

• Young adult: around £25 to £60 per month for basic to mid-level cover;
• Adult in their 30s: around £40 to £90 per month;
• Adult in their 40s: around £50 to £120 per month;
• Adult in their 50s: around £70 to £170 per month;
• Adult in their 60s: around £100 to £250+ per month;
• Adult in their 70s: around £150 to £350+ per month, depending heavily on cover and insurer.

For couples and families, the total monthly cost depends on the ages of the adults, number of children, location and policy design. Some market analyses place the average individual policy somewhere around £75 to £85 per month, with couples and families often costing more than £130 to £180 per month. But averages can be misleading because a 28-year-old in a lower-cost postcode is not comparable with a 67-year-old in central London choosing comprehensive cover.

MoneyHelper gives a useful warning that private medical insurance can be expensive and that premiums tend to rise with age. It also notes that a typical family premium can vary significantly, which is exactly why personalised quotes matter.

Example cost scenarios

The examples below are not quotes. They are realistic scenarios to show how pricing can change depending on the type of person and cover selected.

Example 1: younger adult wanting basic protection

A healthy person in their late 20s or early 30s who wants basic cover, a restricted hospital list and a higher excess may find policies from around £25 to £60 per month. This type of plan may be useful for someone who mainly wants protection against larger private hospital costs, but it may have limits on outpatient appointments, scans or therapies.

Example 2: adult in their 40s wanting balanced cover

A person in their 40s choosing a more balanced policy with outpatient consultations, diagnostics, cancer cover and a moderate excess might pay somewhere around £50 to £100+ per month. The final price can change significantly by postcode, smoking status and hospital list.

Example 3: couple in their 40s or 50s

A couple’s policy may cost roughly the combined risk of both adults, sometimes with a small pricing difference compared with two separate policies. A couple in their 40s might pay from around £90 to £180+ per month, while a couple in their 50s or 60s could pay much more depending on cover.

Example 4: family policy

Family policies can sometimes look good value because children may cost less to add than adults. However, the adult ages still drive much of the premium. A family of four may pay around £100 to £250+ per month depending on the age of the parents, postcode and policy level.

Example 5: older adult wanting comprehensive cover

For people in their 60s and 70s, private health insurance can become expensive. A comprehensive policy with a wide hospital list, strong outpatient cover and broader cancer cover may cost hundreds of pounds per month. This is not unusual, because the likelihood of needing investigations, specialist appointments and hospital treatment rises with age.

Why do private health insurance prices vary so much?

Private health insurance is priced around risk and expected healthcare costs. Insurers look at how likely a person is to claim, how expensive treatment may be, and how broad the policy benefits are.

The biggest price drivers are usually:

• age;
• postcode;
• smoking status;
• medical history and underwriting;
• outpatient cover;
• hospital list;
• cancer cover;
• mental health cover;
• excess level;
• whether you choose guided consultant options;
• whether you include dental, optical or travel-style extras;
• claims history at renewal.

Age: usually the biggest factor

Age is one of the main reasons private health insurance becomes more expensive over time. A person in their 60s is statistically more likely to need scans, specialist consultations, surgery and cancer treatment than a person in their 20s. Insurers price this risk into the premium.

This is why a policy that feels affordable at 35 may feel much more expensive at 55 or 65. When comparing quotes, do not only ask, “Can I afford this now?” Also ask, “Could I still afford this if the premium rises every year?”

Postcode: why London and large cities may cost more

Your postcode can affect the premium because private treatment costs vary across the UK. Private hospitals and consultants in central London and some large cities can be more expensive than in other areas. Policies that include premium hospital lists may also cost more.

If you live outside London, you may be able to reduce the premium by choosing a more restricted hospital list. But make sure the hospitals included are still realistic for you to use. A cheaper policy is not good value if the nearest covered hospital is inconvenient or unsuitable.

Smoking and lifestyle

Smoking can increase the cost of private health insurance. Some insurers also ask about height, weight, alcohol use or lifestyle factors, depending on the application and underwriting method. The impact varies, but anything that increases expected health risk may affect pricing or underwriting decisions.

Medical history and pre-existing conditions

Your medical history can affect what is covered, although it does not always increase the headline premium in the way people expect. Instead, insurers may exclude certain pre-existing conditions or apply underwriting rules that limit claims connected to past symptoms or diagnoses.

For example, if you had previous knee problems, back pain, heart symptoms, mental health treatment or digestive investigations before buying the policy, related claims may be excluded. This is why buying private health insurance after symptoms start often does not solve the problem you already have.

Two common underwriting methods are:

• Full medical underwriting: you answer detailed medical questions before the insurer decides what to exclude.
• Moratorium underwriting: the insurer applies rules around recent medical history and decides whether something is covered when you claim.

If you have a complicated medical history, a specialist broker may help you understand which policies are realistic.

Outpatient cover: one of the biggest price differences

Outpatient cover is one of the most important parts of private health insurance pricing. It usually relates to care where you are not admitted to hospital overnight, such as:

• specialist consultations;
• diagnostic tests;
• MRI scans;
• CT scans;
• ultrasound scans;
• X-rays;
• blood tests;
• follow-up appointments.

Many people buy PMI because they want faster diagnosis. But diagnosis usually happens through outpatient consultations and tests. If you choose a cheaper policy with limited outpatient cover, you may find that the policy helps less than expected at the stage when you first need answers.

For example, a basic policy might cover inpatient or day-case surgery but offer only limited outpatient consultations. A more comprehensive policy may cover a wider range of consultations and diagnostics before treatment.

If you often compare NHS and private diagnostic routes, you may also find these guides useful: How to understand medical test results and How to understand scan results.

Hospital list: cheaper is not always better

Most private health insurance policies have a hospital list. This is the list of private hospitals and clinics you can use under the policy. A restricted hospital list usually costs less. A wider hospital list costs more.

A basic hospital list may be perfectly adequate if it includes good private hospitals near you. But if you want access to major London hospitals, specialist centres or a wider national network, expect to pay more.

Before buying, check:

• which hospitals are included near your home;
• whether major local private hospitals are covered;
• whether London hospitals are included or excluded;
• whether specialist cancer centres are included;
• whether you need insurer approval before using a hospital.

Cancer cover: a major reason policies differ in value

Cancer cover can be one of the most valuable parts of a private health insurance policy, but it can also be one of the most complex. Some policies offer extensive cancer cover, while others include limits or restrictions.

When comparing policies, check whether cancer cover includes:

• private diagnostic tests;
• specialist consultations;
• surgery;
• chemotherapy;
• radiotherapy;
• biological or targeted drug treatments;
• follow-up scans;
• palliative care;
• access to specific cancer hospitals or networks.

Do not judge cancer cover by the marketing headline alone. Read the policy wording. A cheaper policy with weaker cancer cover may not be the right compromise for everyone.

Mental health cover

Mental health cover may be included, limited or offered as an add-on. It can affect the cost of a policy because therapy, psychiatry and inpatient mental health treatment can be expensive.

Some policies include a set number of therapy sessions. Others may cover psychiatrist consultations or inpatient treatment, often with limits. If mental health support is important to you, do not assume it is included by default.

For more background, see Mental health support options in the UK and Online therapy and counselling in the UK.

Physiotherapy and musculoskeletal cover

Back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain and sports injuries are common reasons people use private healthcare. Many insurers offer physiotherapy pathways, sometimes with direct access rather than a GP referral.

However, the number of sessions may be limited. Some policies may require you to use an approved physiotherapy network. Others may include broader cover for musculoskeletal assessment and treatment.

If you are buying PMI mainly because of concern about joint, back or sports injury treatment, check the physiotherapy and orthopaedic wording carefully. You may also find these related guides useful: Knee pain: causes, diagnosis and treatment in the UK and Lower back pain: the complete guide.

Excess: how paying more yourself can reduce the premium

An excess is the amount you pay towards an eligible claim. For example, if your policy has a £250 excess, you may have to pay the first £250 of a claim before the insurer pays the rest.

Choosing a higher excess usually reduces the monthly premium. Common excess options may include £100, £250, £500, £1,000 or more, depending on the insurer.

A higher excess may suit someone who mainly wants protection against large costs, such as surgery or cancer treatment. It may be less suitable if you expect smaller claims, because you may end up paying much of the cost yourself.

Guided consultant options

Some insurers offer cheaper policies if you agree to use a consultant from a guided list. Instead of choosing any specialist, you choose from consultants approved or suggested by the insurer.

This can reduce premiums, but it reduces choice. It may be a reasonable trade-off if you are flexible. It may not be ideal if you want a specific consultant, hospital or specialist centre.

Monthly vs annual payment

Some insurers charge more if you pay monthly rather than annually. This is not always presented clearly as “interest”, but the annual total may be lower if paid upfront.

If you can afford it, compare the annual cost with the monthly total. If paying annually saves money, it may be worth considering. If not, monthly payments may be easier for budgeting.

Individual vs couples vs family policy costs

Individual cover

Individual cover is usually the simplest to compare because it covers one person. Your age, postcode, health history and chosen benefits drive the price.

Couples cover

Couples cover may be convenient, but it is not automatically cheaper than two separate policies. If one partner is much older or has different needs, separate policies may sometimes be worth comparing.

Family cover

Family cover can be attractive because children may be relatively inexpensive to add. However, the adult premiums still make up much of the cost. Check whether children’s outpatient care, therapies and hospital access are suitable for your expectations.

Corporate private health insurance: is employer cover cheaper?

Employer-provided private health insurance can be very valuable. Corporate schemes may have better pricing, broader terms or easier underwriting than individual policies, especially in larger companies.

However, there are important points to check:

• Is your partner or family included?
• Are pre-existing conditions covered?
• Is mental health included?
• What hospital list applies?
• Is there an excess?
• Will you lose cover if you leave the job?
• Is it treated as a taxable benefit?

If you already have workplace PMI, you may not need a separate individual policy. But you should still understand its limits before relying on it.

What is the cheapest type of private health insurance?

The cheapest policies are usually basic plans with:

• restricted hospital lists;
• limited outpatient cover;
• higher excesses;
• guided consultant choice;
• fewer add-ons;
• limited mental health or therapy cover;
• more restrictions around diagnostics.

This may still be useful if you want protection against large private hospital bills. But it may not be ideal if your main goal is quick access to specialist opinions, scans and tests.

What is the most expensive type of private health insurance?

The most expensive policies usually include:

• fuller outpatient cover;
• a wide hospital list, including expensive hospitals;
• comprehensive cancer cover;
• mental health cover;
• therapies such as physiotherapy;
• lower excess;
• more consultant choice;
• cover for multiple family members;
• older applicants.

Comprehensive cover may be worth it for some people, but only if the benefits match your needs and the premium remains affordable long term.

Is private health insurance cheaper than paying privately yourself?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

If you only use private healthcare occasionally, self-paying may be cheaper. For example, you might pay privately for a one-off GP appointment, physiotherapy session, blood test, ultrasound or specialist consultation without needing an insurance policy.

However, private surgery, cancer treatment, repeated scans or hospital admissions can become expensive quickly. PMI may protect against larger eligible costs, but only if the claim is covered under the policy.

Self-pay can make sense if:

• you are mainly interested in occasional private GP appointments;
• you want a one-off consultation or scan;
• you already have a condition that insurance is unlikely to cover;
• you prefer not to pay monthly premiums;
• you have savings set aside for private healthcare.

PMI can make sense if:

• you want protection against larger private treatment bills;
• you want faster access to eligible diagnosis and treatment;
• you are self-employed and delays could affect your income;
• you want private cancer cover;
• you want access to private hospitals without paying full fees upfront.

For a broader comparison, see NHS vs private healthcare in the UK.

How much do common private healthcare services cost without insurance?

Private healthcare costs vary by provider and region, but the following broad ranges show why some people consider insurance:

• Private GP appointment: often around £50 to £150;
• Specialist consultation: often around £180 to £350+;
• Follow-up consultation: often around £120 to £250;
• Private blood tests: from tens of pounds to several hundred pounds depending on the panel;
• Ultrasound scan: often around £150 to £350;
• MRI scan: often around £300 to £800+ depending on body area and provider;
• CT scan: often around £400 to £900+;
• Private physiotherapy: often around £50 to £100 per session;
• Private surgery: commonly several thousand pounds or more.

These are not fixed prices. Always ask the clinic or hospital for a written quote, including consultant fees, anaesthetist fees, hospital fees, tests, follow-up and possible complications.

For diagnostic cost and scan context, see MRI scan: what it shows, CT scan: what it shows and Ultrasound vs CT vs MRI.

How to reduce the cost of private health insurance

You can often reduce the premium by adjusting the policy design. The key is to reduce cost without removing the benefits you genuinely need.

1. Increase the excess

A higher excess usually lowers the monthly premium. This can be a sensible option if you can afford to pay the excess when claiming.

2. Choose a more focused hospital list

If you do not need access to expensive central London hospitals, a restricted hospital list may reduce the cost. Just make sure the included hospitals are practical for you.

3. Consider guided consultant choice

Guided consultant options may lower premiums. This can work well if you are comfortable choosing from the insurer’s list.

4. Review outpatient limits carefully

You may be able to reduce outpatient cover to save money, but be careful. Outpatient diagnostics are often one of the most useful parts of PMI.

5. Remove add-ons you do not need

Dental, optical, travel, extended therapies or enhanced mental health add-ons may increase the price. Keep add-ons that matter and remove those that do not.

6. Compare insurers

Different insurers price the same person differently. Comparing several providers can make a significant difference.

7. Use a specialist broker if your situation is complex

A broker may help if you are older, self-employed, have a medical history, need family cover or want to understand underwriting differences.

8. Review the policy every year

Do not let the policy renew automatically without checking the price, benefits and alternatives. But be careful when switching if you have developed medical conditions since taking out your current policy, because a new insurer may exclude them.

When should you not simply choose the cheapest policy?

The cheapest policy may be poor value if it does not cover what you are most likely to need. Be especially careful if a low-cost policy has:

• very limited outpatient cover;
• no or weak cancer cover;
• no mental health cover when this matters to you;
• a hospital list that does not include suitable local hospitals;
• a very high excess you would struggle to pay;
• strict consultant restrictions;
• low benefit limits;
• unclear exclusions.

A good private health insurance policy is not necessarily the one with the lowest premium. It is the one that gives you the right balance between monthly cost, real-world cover and long-term affordability.

What questions should you ask before buying?

• What is the monthly and annual cost?
• Is there a discount in the first year, and what happens at renewal?
• What excess applies?
• Are outpatient consultations covered?
• Are diagnostic scans covered?
• What cancer cover is included?
• Is mental health treatment included?
• Which hospitals can I use?
• Can I choose my consultant?
• Are pre-existing conditions excluded?
• Is physiotherapy included?
• Are there annual limits?
• Do I need a GP referral?
• How do I make a claim?
• Could I face shortfalls if a consultant charges more than the insurer pays?

What happens to the cost after you claim?

Private health insurance premiums may increase at renewal for several reasons, including age, medical inflation, insurer pricing changes and claims experience. Some insurers offer no-claims discounts or claims-related pricing structures. Others spread pricing differently.

This means the cost after several years may be very different from the first-year price. If you make a significant claim, your future premium may rise. However, switching insurers after a claim may be difficult if the condition becomes part of your medical history and is excluded by a new provider.

Does private health insurance cost more if you pay monthly?

It can. Some insurers charge more for monthly payments than annual payments. If the annual price is lower and you can afford to pay upfront, it may save money. If not, monthly payments may still be the most practical option.

Is private health insurance tax deductible in the UK?

For most individuals buying personal private health insurance, premiums are not tax deductible. If an employer provides private medical insurance, it is usually treated as a taxable benefit for the employee.

Self-employed people and company directors should get advice from an accountant before assuming private health insurance can be treated as a business expense. The rules depend on how the policy is arranged and who benefits from it.

Is private health insurance worth the cost?

Private health insurance may be worth it if you value faster access, private diagnostics, specialist choice and protection against eligible private treatment bills. It may be especially attractive if long waits could affect your work, caring responsibilities or quality of life.

It may be less worthwhile if your main concern is routine GP care, emergency treatment, dental treatment, cosmetic surgery or existing symptoms that are unlikely to be covered.

The best way to judge value is to ask:

• What do I want this policy to protect me from?
• Would I otherwise pay privately myself?
• Can I afford the premium long term?
• Are the exclusions acceptable?
• Does the policy cover diagnostics, not just treatment?
• Would I be comfortable with the hospital and consultant restrictions?

A practical way to compare quotes

When comparing quotes, create a simple table with these columns:

• insurer;
• monthly premium;
• annual premium;
• excess;
• hospital list;
• outpatient cover;
• diagnostic cover;
• cancer cover;
• mental health cover;
• physiotherapy cover;
• consultant choice;
• main exclusions;
• renewal notes.

This makes it much easier to see whether a cheaper policy is genuinely better value or simply less complete.

Final thoughts: what should you expect to pay?

For many UK adults, private health insurance commonly falls somewhere between £40 and £150 per month, but that range can be much lower for younger people with basic cover and much higher for older people or comprehensive policies.

The real question is not only “How much does private health insurance cost?” It is “What am I actually getting for that price?”

A low premium may be attractive, but not if it removes the outpatient diagnostics, cancer cover, hospital access or consultant choice you expected. A more expensive policy may be better value if it protects you from the costs you are genuinely worried about. Before buying, compare policy wording carefully, check exclusions, understand pre-existing condition rules and make sure the premium is affordable not only this year, but in future years too.

FAQ: Private health insurance costs in the UK

How much is private health insurance per month in the UK?

Many UK adults may pay somewhere between £40 and £150 per month, but prices can be lower or much higher depending on age, postcode, cover level, excess, hospital list and medical history.

Why is private health insurance so expensive?

It can be expensive because private consultations, scans, hospital treatment, surgery, cancer drugs and specialist care cost a lot to provide. Premiums also rise with age because the risk of claiming increases.

What is the cheapest private health insurance?

The cheapest policies usually have restricted hospital lists, higher excesses, limited outpatient cover and fewer add-ons. They may be suitable for basic protection but may not cover everything you expect.

Does private health insurance get more expensive with age?

Yes. Age is one of the biggest pricing factors. Premiums usually rise as you get older because the likelihood of needing treatment increases.

Is private health insurance cheaper for young adults?

Usually, yes. Younger adults often pay much less than older adults, especially if they choose basic cover and have no significant medical history.

How much does family private health insurance cost?

A family policy may cost around £100 to £250+ per month depending on the adults’ ages, number of children, postcode and cover level. Some families will pay less, while others will pay more.

Does smoking increase private health insurance costs?

It can. Some insurers charge smokers more because smoking increases the risk of certain health problems and future claims.

Does my postcode affect the price?

Yes. Private treatment costs vary by area. Premiums may be higher in places where private hospitals and consultants are more expensive, especially parts of London.

Can I reduce the cost by choosing a higher excess?

Yes. A higher excess usually lowers the monthly premium, but you must be comfortable paying that excess if you claim.

Is outpatient cover worth paying for?

Often, yes. Many private healthcare journeys begin with outpatient consultations, scans and tests. A policy with weak outpatient cover may be less useful if your priority is faster diagnosis.

Does private health insurance cover GP appointments?

Standard PMI usually does not cover routine GP care, although some policies include digital GP services. Private GP subscriptions are separate products.

Does private health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Usually not automatically. Pre-existing conditions are often excluded, either through full medical underwriting or moratorium underwriting rules.

Is employer private health insurance better value?

It can be. Employer schemes may offer good value and broader terms, especially in larger companies. But you should still check exclusions, hospital lists, excesses and whether family members are included.

Can I cancel private health insurance if it becomes too expensive?

Usually, yes, but check the policy terms. Be careful before cancelling if you have developed conditions since taking out the policy, because a future insurer may exclude them.

Is private health insurance worth it in the UK?

It depends on your budget and priorities. It may be worth it if you want faster access to eligible private diagnosis and treatment. It may be less useful if you mainly need emergency care, routine GP care, dental care or treatment for existing conditions.