Private Medical Insurance

Private medical medical insurance is often known as PMI, or more simply ‘health insurance’. It pays for private treatment if you fall ill. Standard PMI policies cover essential treatments, including surgery, consultations, nursing and hospital care. They won’t cover drug addiction, cosmetic surgery, ‘regular’ pregnancy or incurable conditions.

It also doesn’t provide an alternative to your local accident and emergency (A&E) department’s services. Comprehensive PMI policies offer additional benefits, ranging from complementary medicine to new cancer drugs and treatments unavailable on the NHS.

PMI allows you to receive fast-track consultations and private treatment for short-term, curable medical problems. You’ll either be treated privately in an NHS hospital or be booked into a private hospital.