Health Insurance Glossary

Account manager

If you’re assigned a health insurance account manager, they will be your primary contact for any questions and support. They should aim to assist you before, during and after purchasing your policy.

Acute conditions

Sudden medical conditions are often referred to as acute conditions, with examples being breaking a bone or having a heart attack. Most health insurance policies will cover acute conditions that occur after purchasing your policy, but this will depend on any exclusions and the terms of your underwriting.

AMII Member

The Association of Medical Insurance and Intermediaries (AMII) aims to improve the standards for consumers purchasing health insurance. If a company is an AMII member, it means that they follow the practices and standards set by the AMII.

Benefits

When taking out a health insurance policy, you may gain access to additional benefits, sometimes referred to as members benefits. These could range from gift cards, discounts, equipment, health services and more. The benefits you receive will depend on the type of policy you purchase and the provider you choose.

Broker

A broker is a representative who works with consumers and providers, acting as an intermediary between the two. Brokers may be independent, represent a select list of companies, or work exclusively with one provider. Brokers will have access to the policies available from the providers they work with and will aim to find consumers the right policy based on their needs.

Cancellation

Cancellation is when a policy is terminated before the end date, either by the provider or the consumer. A provider may cancel your policy for reasons such as if incorrect information was provided or payments weren’t made on time. A consumer may cancel at any time during their policy, but there may be additional fees to pay depending on when and why you cancelled.

Children's health insurance

Some health insurance providers may have policies specifically designed for children, while others may allow you to include children within a personal policy. These policies will cover the named children for diagnosis, treatmenets and healthcare as stated in their policy.

Learn more about children's health insurance.

Chronic conditions

Chronic conditions refer to ongoing health problems that may not be possible to treat. These conditions usually last more than one year and will require continuous attention. You may not find any health insurance providers covering chronic conditions, as health insurance is designed to cover acute conditions.

Claim

When you receive medical treatment covered under your health insurance policy, a claim is made to recoup the costs of that treatment. This process happens between the medical facility and your provider and is only valid for treatments or health services covered under your policy. You will be required to pay the pre-arranged excess amount for the claim to be completed.

Company leaver health insurance

If an individual was historically covered under a business-wide health insurance policy and they’re leaving that company, they may be able to continue on an individual policy with the same terms. This is a way for individuals to access the same policy they’ve been on after leaving a company, which may be more beneficial than purchasing a new policy with new terms.

Learn more about company leaver health insurance.

Compare

Comparing health insurance is the process in which a consumer or broker reviews the policies available to purchase. The available policies will be compared against the wants and needs of the consumer, as well as taking into account their medical history and other personal information. This process aims to help consumers find the most suitable policy for them at the most competitive price, considering factors from the individual and providers themselves.

Learn more about comparing health insurance.

Comprehensive health insurance

Comprehensive health insurance policies offer the highest level of coverage and inclusions. Health insurance providers may offer policies in various tiers, meaning some are more suitable for people looking for lower levels of coverage at a lower cost, while others are suited to consumers who need a more comprehensive option.

Learn more about comprehensive health insurance.

Consumer

A consumer is the individual, group or business purchasing the health insurance policy. Consumer is a generic term that can refer to any of these types of purchasers.

Corporate health insurance

Corporate health insurance covers a company’s workforce for private diagnosis, treatments and healthcare resources. They’re designed to cover the entire workforce for acute and common health conditions.

Learn more about corporate health insurance.

Couples health insurance

Couples’ health insurance, sometimes referred to as joint health insurance, is a policy suited for individuals who live together. A single policy will cover both individuals under the same terms instead of both parties purchasing a separate policy.

Learn more about couples health insurance.

Diagnosis

This is the process in which a medical professional will try to identify any illnesses or medical conditions you have. Diagnosis can be reached by conducting physical examinations or talking to you about your symptoms. A diagnosis may be required before you’re eligible to receive treatment for the condition.

Digital GP service

Some providers may give you access to digital GP services, which are online appointments that take place remotely. This online consultation will aim to provide the same service you’d receive if you were to visit a GP in person. However, some restrictions mat exist, such as physical examinations.

Eligible/Eligibility

Some providers and policies will only be available to some consumers, depending on factors such as their age, medical history and needs. Whether these policies are available to you will determine if you’re eligible.

Excess Amount

When making a claim, you may have to make an excess payment. This amount will be stipulated in your policy, and you may have the option to increase or reduce your excess amount when negotiating your policy terms.

Exclusions

Your policy will outline what you’re covered for and may specify any exclusions that aren’t included. An exclusion is something you cannot claim through your policy, such as treatments for pre-existing conditions or types of treatments.

Family health insurance

A type of policy designed to cover a family, which may include adults and children. All family members will benefit from cover under a single policy with the same terms. Some providers may allow you to add newborns onto your family policy if you give birth while the policy is active.

Learn more about family health insurance.

FCA Regulated

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is a regulatory body in the UK that governs all financial services, such as health insurance. If a company is FCA regulated, that means they adhere to the FCA’s terms and regulations, which proves that their service is up to a certain standard.

GP

A general practitioner (GP) is a medical professional who can help to diagnose, refer and treat some medical conditions. Visiting a GP is often the first step before being referred to other specialists or medical facilities.

Group health insurance

Group health insurance is a type of policy for businesses. It offers them a way to cover their workforce and directors under a single company-wide policy.

Learn more about group health insurance.

Health insurance

Health insurance, sometimes referred to as private medical insurance, is a type of insurance that covers consumers for the diagnosis and treatment of acute medical conditions. The policy will cover the cost of visiting medical centres, medical professionals, medications and treatments depending on the coverage inclusions.

Hospital list

When purchasing a policy, you may be able to choose between several hospital lists. These lists determine which hospitals you’re eligible to be treated at for claims made on your health insurance policy. You may find that more inclusive hospital lists or lists that include London locations increase your premium payments.

Independent broker

If a broker is independent, it means they aren’t directly affiliated with any one health insurance provider. This allows them to answer questions, compare your options, and offer policies across a range of providers without bias.

Inpatient treatment

Inpatient refers to treatments that require the individual to stay in a medical facility for one or more nights, such as for surgery.

Insurance certificate

Upon purchasing a health insurance policy, you’ll be issued an insurance certificate which details the type of cover you’re insured on by the provider and other important information about your policy, such as the underwriting terms.

Insurance premium

Your premium is the amount you’ll pay for your health insurance policy. Depending on your provider and eligibility, you may have the option of paying this in monthly or annual installments.

International health insurance

This type of insurance is intended for anyone moving overseas on a temporary or permanent basis. The policy will differ from generic health insurance policies as it may cover you in several countries and health facilities from varying global providers.

Learn more about international health insurance.

Medical condition

This term broadly describes any and all medical ailments, from acute to chronic conditions.

Moratorium Underwriting

Every health insurance policy will include underwriting terms. These terms define what’s excluded from your policy based on many factors such as your medical history or a provider's terms. As an example, if you suffered from a medical condition within the last 5 years, you may find that your underwriting terms explicitly exclude any treatments relating to the condition.

Outpatient treatment

Outpatient treatments are those that do not require an overnight stay but will need an individual to visit a medical facility. Some examples of outpatient treatments are scans, tests and check-ups.

Over 50's health insurance

Health insurance for the over-fifties is handled the same way it is for any other individual, and it’s designed to cover the consumer for acute and common medical conditions. However, there may be some unique considerations when choosing a policy due to the age of the policyholder.

Learn more about over 50's health insurance.

Policy

A health insurance policy will define all aspects of your coverage, exclusions, hospital access, benefits, underwriting and more. You may be able to customise your policy elements to suit your budget and needs, but this depends on personal factors and the provider you choose.

Policy holder

The policyholder is the individual or group of people that are named on the policy. These named people are covered under the terms defined within the policy.

Policy length

Your policy will include information on the start and end date, with this period being referred to as the policy length. Many providers offer a policy length of one year, after which you may be able to renew or find a new policy.

Pre-existing conditions

A pre-existing condition refers to any medical condition you have suffered prior to purchasing health insurance. As a general rule, providers will not cover you for pre-existing conditions, but you may find some underwriting terms or alternative options that are less restrictive than others.

Provider

Health insurance providers are the companies that offer health insurance policies and pay for any claims made. There are several major UK providers, some of which have their own medical facilities and staff.

Quote

A health insurance quote will provide you with information on the cost or premium of that policy and the inclusions and exclusions. For example, if you were to go through a comparison process, the results you’re presented with would be quotes.

Renewal

If you have an active health insurance policy, an end date will be listed in your policy details. When nearing the end of your policy, you may have the option to renew under the same terms. A renewal will aim to cover you in the same way for another period of time, such as one year. In some cases, you may not be able to renew under the same terms, and instead, you’ll need to purchase a new policy with updated terms.

Learn more about health insurance renewals.

Self-employed health insurance

This type of health insurance is suited toward anyone who is self-employed. The cost of the policy may be eligible to be paid out of your business expenses, and it offers an alternative way to be covered instead of purchasing an individual policy.

Learn more about self-employed health insurance.

Small business health insurance

Small business health insurance is suited toward smaller companies and offers the same benefits as a corporate policy, covering employees, directors and stakeholders under the same policy terms.

Learn more about small business health insurance.

Switch

If you have an active policy but want to move to an alternative option, you may have the option to switch during the policy. This depends on the terms of your policy and the provider, and in some cases, it may not be beneficial to switch.

Learn more about switching health insurance.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine refers to health services that take place remotely, such as virtual GP appointments. You may find that your policy and provider offer telemedicine services alongside traditional diagnosis appointments. If this is an essential inclusion for you, a broker will aim to help you find the right policy.

Treatments

Treatments refer to the actions taken by medical professionals in response to a medical condition. Treatments vary on the conditions they’re deployed for, and some treatments may or may not be covered under your policy.

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