Over 50s Health Insurance UK | 50+ Private Medical Insurance

I am over 50, what type of health insurance will suit me?

Health insurance for the over 50s is handled in the same way it is for any other individual, however, there may be some unique considerations to take into account due to your age and medical requirements. Some “off the shelf” policies may suit the over 50s, but it may be more beneficial to build a policy around the factors that are most important to you rather than opting for a policy with less flexible options.

What does health insurance for the over 50s offer?

Health insurance for the over 50s aims to cover the policyholder for private medical diagnostics, treatments and additional care services for health-related issues. Inpatient treatments are often included as standard, with additional coverage such as outpatient care being available as an upgrade. You will have the option to build a policy based on what you’re looking for in private health insurance, and some of the most common benefits include:

Speedy diagnostics and treatments at times to suit you

Access to additional health support such as therapies and mental health guidance.

Flexibility over where, when and who you’re treated by in the event that you require treatment, dependent on the plan chosen.

Access to policyholder benefits from your provider, such as health support apps, helplines and discounts.

Additional policy considerations

In addition to coverage that may be included as standard, when taking out health insurance for the over 50s, you’ll have options to cover yourself for additional health-related services. Some providers may not offer coverage for the service you’re looking for, which is why comparing policies available on the market will help you to find the right policy for you. We can compare the options available to you after a brief conversation to understand what it is you’re looking for. Some of the common additional policy inclusions for over 50s include:

Dental Services
Eyecare
Physiotherapy
Mental health support
Outpatient cover
Advanced cancer cover
Extended hospital lists
Therapies

Pre-existing medical conditions and exclusions

Health insurance may not cover you for pre-existing medical conditions, which is important to consider for over 50s searching for private health cover. As you age, it’s more likely that you’ll experience health problems, and your policy coverage may not cover you for diagnostics and treatments relating to past conditions.

What are your options for cover?

Purchasing a private health insurance policy does not exclude you from NHS treatments. Utilising public health services in combination with a private health insurance policy may help you access a greater level of care than relying on one of these options. We can help you to understand the different ways you can access the care you need, so please get in touch.

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How much does health insurance cost for over 50s?

The price you’ll pay for over 50s health insurance depends on your medical history, age, location and your needs. Opting for additional coverage may increase your premiums, whereas opting for reduced cover may help to lower the price you pay. Over 50s looking for health insurance should consider the following factors when calculating the cost of their policy:

Age

Your premiums will increase as you age because older individuals are more likely to require health-related care and experience ill health.

Excess

In the event of a claim, you’ll pay the excess amount outlined in your policy. By reducing your excess amount, your premiums will rise, and vice versa.

Hospital lists

Policy providers have various hospital lists that outline where you can be treated. Opting for an extended hospital list may increase your premiums, whereas a more refined list may reduce your payments.

Outpatient cover

Outpatient cover may not be included as standard, and there are sometimes different levels of coverage to choose from. If you decide to include outpatient cover, you may find that your premiums increase.

Underwriting

Some providers may offer more competitive premiums if you opt for full medical underwriting, which requires that you complete a health questionnaire that details your pre-existing conditions when applying for a policy.

NHS 6-week option

You may be able to select this option which means that if the NHS could treat you within a 6-week period, then you’ll receive care by the NHS rather than through your private provider.

No claims discount

Accruing a no claims discount with a provider may result in your premiums reducing when compared to the standard price of the policy.

Additional coverage

Including coverage for treatments such as dental, eye care and the other examples we’ve included above will result in your premiums rising.

Appoint us to help you switch health insurance

By appointing us on your policy this will enable us to negotiate terms with your current provider and competitors.

I’m in my early 70’s.They trawled the market on my behalf and found the right cover at an affordable price with a well known reputable insurer. They handled everything smoothly and swiftly.

- Trusted customer, Feefo

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Which health insurance policies are suited to the over 50s?

Some private health insurance providers may create products designed for the over 50s, but there may not always be a benefit to choosing those policies in comparison to a regular policy that’s available to all age groups. We offer a bespoke service to help our clients find a policy that considers their wants, needs and the options available to them, at a competitive price, so no matter what policy we recommend, it will be built around you.

Leaving company health insurance

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If you’re retiring or leaving your company, then you may have additional options available to you. With group leaver’s insurance, you may have the option to continue under the same terms you were insured by on your workplace policy on an individual plan.

Learn More about leavers insurance

Family policies

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You may find that a family health insurance policy is more suited to you if you’re covering multiple individuals in the same household. This may help you to save on some of the costs or administrative duties when compared to multiple individual policies, but it may also reduce the level of cover available to every policyholder.

Family Health insurance explained

How Equity Health can help

As an independent health insurance broker, we aim to find our customers a policy that covers them for all of their needs, at a competitive price. Our focus is to compare the available options across the UK health insurance market, and some of the benefits of appointing us include: