Private Health Insurance for
Couples

Private health insurance for couples, also known as joint private medical insurance, provides you and your spouse with access to private healthcare providers in the United Kingdom. While there was previously no monetary incentive for couples to get combined insurance, several carriers have begun to provide reductions in recent years.

What Is Joint Health Insurance?

A couple’s health insurance policy is a form of PMI that permits two people who reside together to purchase a single policy. Couples health insurance, like individual policies, gives you access to private health care providers in the UK, with the amount of access defined by the level of coverage you choose.

Joint health insurance is intended to alleviate the stress of health issues affecting both you and your partner. It also provides both of you with an alternative to the NHS in the event that you require medical care.

What’s Covered by Joint Private Health Insurance?

The gist is that when an overnight stay in the hospital is necessary to treat acute illnesses, a couple's health insurance will pay at least the cost of inpatient care. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and asthma, aren't included under your coverage since they can't be treated. If you have a chronic illness, it doesn't necessarily mean you won't be able to acquire insurance; it only means your condition will be excluded. This can be narrowed down into the following:

• Inpatient treatment: All combined health insurance policies will pay for treatment at a private hospital if it necessitates an overnight stay (inpatient). This might be to recuperate from a major procedure or to get therapy that lasts several days.
• Day patient treatment: The majority of joint health insurance policies will cover the expenses of you staying in a hospital bed for a single day (with no requirement for an overnight stay). It's possible that you've had minor surgery and only require a bed for a few hours of observation.
• Outpatient treatment: Any test, operation, or consultation that does not need a hospital bed is considered outpatient therapy. You can choose to have no outpatient therapy, cover up to a specific yearly monetary value, or have full outpatient coverage when choosing your policy.

Shared health insurance coverage may not cover each medical condition or operation for you and your partner. Exemptions should always be checked in the policy's terms and conditions. Examples of what may not be covered:

• Chronic diseases such as diabetes or arthritis Diagnostic testing Outpatient therapy
• Pre-existing conditions

If you do have a pre-existing ailment, keep in mind that some policies will cover you as long as you haven't had any symptoms for the past five years.

Extras such as eye care, dental treatment, and physiotherapy may be available as add-ons to your insurance. The most important thing is to locate insurance that meets your requirements at a reasonable cost.

In short, a joint private health insurance policy will function similarly to a single policy, and you will be able to pick among three levels of coverage:

• Basic cover: Pays for inpatient medical treatment, including medicine and hospitalization, and may also provide cancer patients with some degree of care.
• Medium cover: Includes everything in the basic package, as well as the cost of treatment while you're an outpatient.
• Comprehensive cover: Encompasses all of the aforementioned, as well as mental health and physiotherapy coverage.

Will the Partner’s Pre-Existing Medical Condition Affect My Coverage?

No, Although you will be on a joint policy your terms and conditions relating to your specific pre-existing conditions will be different. We strongly advise checking with an independent broker in this case since it may be more beneficial to take out separate insurance if you are changing providers.

Can I Get a Policy While My Partner is Pregnant?

Absolutely. You can acquire joint health insurance coverage while your spouse is pregnant, but keep in mind that your policy will not cover regular pregnancy. Some insurance will cover pregnancy-related problems, but you should check your policy details to determine whether they are insured.

How Much Does Couples' Health Insurance Cost?

The value of joint private health insurance coverage varies based on the provider. Nevertheless, the following elements are likely to influence it:

• Life expectancy: As you become older, your chances of requiring medical care increase, which means the cost of health insurance will likely increase as well.
• Area: Some regions, like London, are considered to be at greater risk. Therefore, if you and your spouse reside in one of these areas, your premiums will almost certainly be higher.
• Lifestyle: Due to the health hazards connected with smoking, current or past smokers should expect to notice a rise in premiums.

Who Can Get Joint Private Medical Insurance?

In the United Kingdom, you can acquire joint private medical insurance instead of two individual private plans even if you just live with another person. Therefore, you don't have to be wedded so long as you live together legally. If you and your partner don't dwell together but want to acquire joint health insurance, you should check into family plans.

Can Unmarried Couples be on the Same Health Insurance?

Yes, you can obtain a couple's health insurance plan as long as you live with the other party. Even if you don't live together, you might be able to put together family insurance. Don’t hesitate to get a quote right away to explore which option is best for you and your partner.

Can Married Couples Have Separate Health Insurance?

You might want to retain your health insurance plan status as 'single' while checking the 'married' option. It may seem paradoxical to do so, given that family health plans are commonly thought to save money. But this isn't always the case.

There are times that it can perhaps be more cost-effective to go at it alone with health insurance.

This is frequently the case when people meet the person of their dreams only to discover that their healthcare demands are drastically different. Therefore, if one of you uses more medical services than the other or has a health condition that necessitates continuous treatment, having separate policies might actually save you more money than having it together.

Is Couples Health Insurance Cheaper Than Singles?

If you're deciding between a combined policy and two individual plans for you and your spouse, pricing is going to be a major factor.

When you compare that to the average cost of a single private policy, which was £1,093, you can see how a combined coverage may save you money. Taking up two single policies for you and your partner would cost an average of £2,186, which means you'll spend £365 extra.

In conclusion, on average, so long as you have two healthy couples under one coverage, you can actually save more, and it is, therefore, cheaper than going for singles. However, it is important to compare joint health insurance quotes to learn how much the various alternatives would cost you. This is especially true if you and your partner believe you have distinct requirements.

Why Get Couple's Health Insurance?

The advantages of combined medical insurances are nearly equal to those of two individual plans, with the extra bonus of less administration and savings from some providers.

• You and your spouse can avoid potential NHS waiting lists delays.
• You'll have access to the most up-to-date medications and therapies, including those that aren't accessible on the NHS.
• You have control over where and when you and your spouse are treated.
• You'll have more options when it comes to the consultant you work with.
• You might save money by purchasing a policy jointly.
• You'll have less paperwork to deal with and will be able to switch to a family policy more quickly.

Furthermore, the main advantage of purchasing a combined coverage is that you will have less paperwork to keep care of. It will also simplify the process of revising the policy every year. As we said before in this post, insurers are beginning to provide discounts for couples, so taking up a joint policy might save you money.

Will We Both Need Medical Checks?

You and your spouse will not be required to have a medical examination in order to get joint health insurance coverage, but you will be asked questions about:

• Your habits and way of life
• Whether you're a smoker or an alcoholic
• If you have had any previous medical issues
• Your current state of health, as well as your medical history

Before you apply for a policy, your health insurance agent will be able to guide you through all of this and more to guarantee you obtain the proper amount of coverage.