UK Health Insurance for Expats

Expats in the United Kingdom (UK) can purchase private international health insurance to protect them from unexpected illness or injury. While the UK’s public healthcare, the National Health System (NHS), may cover some expats, many still choose to purchase additional private health insurance.

Are you an expat moving to or visiting the UK? Do you want to know more about the healthcare system in the country and the benefits of purchasing a private health insurance plan? This guide from Pacific Prime will answer all your questions.

We will discuss the NHS public healthcare system, the private healthcare system in the UK, and more. We will also share highlights from the best international health insurance plans for the UK. Keep reading to learn more, or click here for a free quote!

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in UK

International Health Insurance for Expats in the United Kingdom

International health insurance is a popular choice for expats in the UK as it offers valuable benefits like global portability and access to your choice of private medical facility. International health insurance plans are often customizable, allowing you to tailor your plans to your needs.

Some popular international health insurance providers in the UK are:

• Allianz
• April International
• AXA
• Cigna

The Healthcare System in the UK

The UK’s healthcare system is mostly comprised and managed by the National Health Service (NHS). This system provides the majority of healthcare services, though private healthcare services are also available for those looking for quicker access to specific medical treatments.

While the country does have the NHS, which offers extensive coverage eligibility, arrivals to the UK should remember that there are four different countries within the union. The individual country websites are here for your information:

• NHS in England
• NHS in Scotland
• NHS in Wales
• Health and Social Care Services in Northern Ireland

The UK features the common types of care you’d see in many developed nations. GPs often provide primary health care and make referrals to specialists if necessary.

Public Hospitals in the UK

There are many different public hospitals available to expats in the UK. These high-standard hospitals generally employ efficient doctors and top-quality equipment. We’ve listed some of the best hospitals below:

• Royal Free Hospital in London, England
• Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland
• Ulster Hospital in Northern Ireland

Hospitals also feature Accident and Emergency departments, and ambulatory services are generally provided free in emergencies by the public sector.

Private Hospitals in the UK

Private hospitals in the UK have the advantage of offering shorter wait times for their patients and more choices in providers. We have provided some of the best private hospitals in the UK below:

• The Princess Grace Hospital in London, England
• The Wilmslow Hospital in Wilmslow, England

Health Insurance Options in the UK for Expats

Expats can choose to use the limited medical services available through the NHS, or they can purchase private health insurance for their time in the UK. We will discuss more of these options below.

Public Health Insurance in the UK

Public insurance is available to UK citizens through the NHS, and it covers everything from screenings to routine checks and emergency treatment and more. Foreigners can also receive free care from the NHS in limited primary care capacities.

This system is funded in the majority through general taxation and the National Insurance. National Insurance contributions are paid by employees and employers through earnings, and other tax revenues (such as income, corporation, and value-added tax).

There are still some out-of-pocket expenses that can occur within the NHS system, and this is generally dependent on the type of treatment you need, as well as your circumstances.

For example, prescriptions are free for some people (like those under 16 or over 60 years old, pregnant women, etc.), while the majority will pay per item. Things such as dental treatment, eye tests, travel costs, and wigs for affected cancer patients may also come with a price.

Private Health Insurance in the UK

Private health insurance plans are offered in the UK through leading global insurance providers Bupa Global, AXA, and more. There are also a number of smaller, local insurers that offer private coverage in the union as well.

Basic private medical insurance will generally cover the costs of most inpatient treatments, as well as daycare surgery. In addition to simple inpatient plans, consumers can also include outpatient benefits or coverage for maternity, dental, and vision care, and more.

These plans can be comprehensive, standalone products, or can act as a top-up to NHS coverage.

Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in the UK

The best private insurance providers for expats in the UK are offered by international health insurance providers Allianz, April International, AXA, Bupa Global, and Cigna Global. We will share a brief overview and highlight these provider’s plans in the following sections.

If you’d like to learn even more about the top international health insurance providers in the UK, check out our article guide here!

Allianz Health Insurance for Expats in the UK

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans in the UK to fit a variety of expats’ and their family’s needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to basic policies that Allianz provides. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks that expats may face abroad.

The plans offered by Allianz include the Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans. While each of these plans may differ in coverage limits and benefits, they share similar benefits as listed below:

April International Health Insurance for Expats in the UK

April International is a leading international insurance provider that offers affordable comprehensive coverage to expats in the UK. They offer their health benefits to expats in different tiers of coverage through their Emergency Plan, Formule Basic, Essential Plan, Comfort, and Premium Plan.

April International offers a variety of benefits in their plans, including:

AXA for Health Insurance Expats in the UK

AXA is a leading international health insurance provider that insures expat individuals and families in the UK. Its health insurance plans are offered in five coverage tiers: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus.

Each of these plans includes comprehensive inpatient coverage, with annual limits ranging from USD $160,000 to $8,000,000. Exact coverage benefits will vary from plan to plan.

The core benefits included in all five plans are:

Cigna Global Health Insurance for Expats in the UK

Cigna provides flexible insurance plans to expats in the UK and across the world. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any of the UK’s private healthcare facilities. Their plans are customizable and comprehensive.

Cigna has a Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

Facts to Consider When Picking Insurance in the UK

When choosing between private or public health insurance in the UK, expats should consider the many benefits of using private health insurance.

Getting private UK health insurance widens your access to medical services in the country. While the NHS does provide extensive coverage at public facilities, there are some benefits that private health insurance does better:

• Reduced Wait Times: Everything from referrals to a specialist, access to the type of scan you want, and physiotherapy sessions are much easier and faster to come by when you have private health insurance.
• Private Rooms: Private insurance often grants its policyholders access to private or semi-private rooms, making waiting for treatment or recovery a much more comfortable experience than in a six-bed, mixed-sex open ward.
• Specialist Drugs and Treatments: Because the NHS needs to weigh up new treatment success against the spending of public money, sometimes you might not have access to the more innovative and groundbreaking drugs and treatments on offer around the world.
• Choose Your Doctor and Hospital: In many circumstances, UK private health insurance holders can choose the doctor or specialist they want to use for treatment and the hospital or facility where they seek treatment.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in the UK

While the UK remains a safe location for expats, foreigners should still be on the lookout for pickpockets in large cities. Crowded areas like public transportation can be a perfect place for a pickpocket to try something, so stay alert while riding public transport and walking in busy streets.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why should expats choose private health insurance in the UK if the NHS is free?

Expats should choose private health insurance in the UK as they can only use the primary care system of the NHS and will have to pay for any secondary care they need. Private health insurance can also offer other valuable benefits that the NHS cannot, like global portability.

Can expats use both private health insurance and the NHS while in the UK?

Expats can use both their private health insurance and the free primary care that NHS offers while they are in the UK. Many expats choose private health insurance in the UK for this reason, as a top-up to their existing coverage.

Compare Plans and Quotes Now

Understanding your situation and needs is the best way to know whether or not you need public or private health insurance while in the UK. When it comes to that discussion, one of the best decisions you can make is to engage the services of an experienced UK health insurance broker.

Pacific Prime has been delivering medical insurance solutions for people around the world for nearly 20 years. We’ve got solid partnerships with many local insurers, as well as all of the major industry giants that operate in the UK and around the world.

Contact us now to find out more about what Pacific Prime can do for your UK health insurance solutions, or click here for a no-obligation, free quote.