Family Health Insurance

Moneyrepublic offers a comprehensive platform for comparing family health insurance policies. Our tool allows you to assess various providers. This helps you make informed decisions about health cover for your family. Explore the options available and find the policy that aligns best with your needs and budget. Stay informed and stay covered. Family health insurance is your key to ensuring the well-being of your loved ones.

What is family health insurance?

Family health insurance can provide private health coverage for your entire family. This type of insurance ensures financial support to cover the costs of private healthcare in case any family member falls ill and requires medical treatment. The key advantage over standard cover is the ability to insure multiple people under a single agreement, potentially resulting in a more cost-effective solution than individual policies. Monthly premiums enable quick access to private diagnostic tests, treatment, and surgery in the event of health problems. Explore the benefits of family health insurance for the well-being of your loved ones.

How does family health insurance work?

Family health insurance covers the cost of treatment for acute illnesses that occur after the policy takes effect. While comprehensive insurance may come at a higher cost, it offers coverage for a broader spectrum of illnesses, treatments, and additional services like mental health, holistic therapies, sports injuries, and dental and optical care. The benefits vary based on your chosen policy and individual circumstances. Opting for comprehensive coverage ensures peace of mind, allowing you to rest assured that your family's health is well-protected.

Why should I get family health insurance?

We understand the importance of your family's health. Private family healthcare complements NHS services, offering quicker access to diagnosis and treatment. With prolonged waiting periods on the NHS, many choose private family health insurance to take control of their family's well-being. While NHS A&E remains crucial in emergencies, private insurance provides additional advantages, including:

• Reduced waiting times
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment
• Enhanced privacy with private rooms, phone, TV, local hospitals, and extended visiting times
• Medication unavailable on the NHS.

Family health insurance ensures access to faster treatment, luxurious facilities, and potential access to medications unavailable on the NHS. Covering your entire family under one policy is often more cost-effective than taking out individual policies.

Does it replace the NHS?

No, private health insurance is not intended to replace the NHS; rather, it aims to complement the healthcare provided by the National Health Service. In emergencies, routine pregnancies, and chronic conditions, your family will continue to rely on the NHS. During emergencies, immediate medical attention is crucial, and the NHS plays an irreplaceable role. Private health insurance is designed to provide additional support, offering faster access to certain treatments and amenities. Your chosen level of coverage will determine the conditions for which you will still have to utilise the NHS. It's essential to recognise that your GP remains pivotal in managing your routine healthcare.

What types of family health insurance are available?

Discover a range of family health insurance plans to suit the needs of your loved ones. needs. We explore each of the options below:

Basic Family Health Insurance

This is the more economical option, covering hospital stays, surgeries, and some outpatient treatments. Outpatient treatment claims are typically capped, making it a cost-effective choice.

Comprehensive Family Health Insurance

This is a more extensive policy that covers a broader range of treatments. mental health and physiotherapy. While potentially pricier, it may include extras like hospital accommodation for parents, private ambulance services, home nursing, and dedicated medical helplines.

What family health insurance cover and what isn't?

Covered

• Inpatient Treatment
• Outpatient Treatment
• Cancer Cover
• GP Consultations
• Hospital lists

Do Not Covered

• Cosmetic Surgery
• Giving Birth
• Chronic Diseases
• Pre-Existing Conditions
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse
• Sporting Injuries

What extras can I add to my family health insurance policy?

1. Dental and Optical Care: Additional coverage for dental and optical treatments.
2. Mental Health Cover: Comprehensive mental health support, including outpatient, inpatient, and day-patient cover. This can allow patients to access treatment from psychiatrists, psychologists, and cognitive behavioural therapists.
3. Therapies and Other Treatments: GP-referred treatments from osteopaths, acupuncturists, or chiropractors.
4. No-Claims Discount (NCD) Protection: Safeguard individual NCDs for each family member on the policy.

Does family health insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

While family health insurance typically excludes pre-existing conditions, some providers may offer coverage for an additional premium or after a specified waiting period in which patients have not undergone treatment for the condition. It's crucial to compare options and review policy details to understand the possibilities.
The term pre-existing medical condition refers to a disease, condition, or injury for which you've had symptoms or received treatment before your cover started. Family health insurance is primarily designed for future medical issues rather than pre-existing conditions.

How much is family health insurance cost?

Explore the determinants affecting the cost of family health insurance, including family size, medical history, chosen policy, and location. Be aware that premiums fluctuate based on these factors, underscoring the importance of transparent medical history disclosure and aligning coverage with your family's needs.

Size of your family

Insuring more family members increases costs. However, opting for a single policy for your entire family may prove more cost-effective than taking out individual policies.

Your medical history

Honest disclosure is crucial, as certain health conditions may elevate premiums. Full transparency ensures coverage for all disclosed ailments.

Your policy

Costs are significantly influenced by the chosen coverage level. Basic cover is economical but offers limited protection, while comprehensive cover, though pricier, provides more extensive coverage.

Your location

Geographical location directly impacts costs, with private hospitals in different areas charging varying amounts for treatments. Notably, private healthcare costs are highest in London.

Average cost of private family health insurance in the UK

Based on a typical comprehensive policy in January 2024.

Can you add family members to health insurance?

You can include your current partner and children from current and past relationships, as well as those under your guardianship. Many insurers charge only for the first child; additional children are covered free of charge. Family health insurance typically covers members of your immediate family, such as your spouse or partner and dependent children. Additionally, family members do not usually have to live at the same address to be included in a family policy; for example, your child could be away at university.

How can I keep my family health insurance costs down?

Add an excess

Lower your premiums by adding an excess, as you'll be contributing to the initial part of any claim.

Pay annually

Opting to make an annual payment is usually more cost-effective than paying monthly.

Reduce your hospital list

Limit your choice of hospitals for treatment to lower the overall cost.

Add a waiting period

Agree to NHS treatment if the waiting time is six weeks or less to reduce your premium.

Health cash plan

Consider a health cash plan. These provide a lump sum for routine family healthcare costs like dental work and eye tests.

Additional Ways to Reduce Premiums:

1. Adjust Outpatient Cover: Tailor outpatient cover by lowering claimable amounts or limiting the number of consultations you can have.
2. Opt for Necessary Extras Only: Choose only the essential extras, considering cost-effective alternatives like a healthcare cash plan.
3. Live Healthily: Embrace a healthier lifestyle for potential premium reductions. Some providers reward healthy behaviour.
4. Check Employee Schemes: Explore employer-offered discounted health insurance schemes for potential family coverage perks.

Insurance providers allow flexibility in tailoring your package, considering factors such as age, health, and lifestyle for premium determination. Additional considerations like a six-week NHS option and healthy living practices can further contribute to cost reduction.

What do I need to compare family health insurance

1. Personal details
   • Provide information about yourself, including your smoking status and any ongoing medical conditions.
   • Specify the number of family members you wish to include in your policy.
2. Your policy
   • Clearly define the desired level of coverage for your family health insurance policy.
   • Indicate any additional extras you want to incorporate into your cover.
3. We will search the market
   • Allow us to conduct a thorough market search, exploring offerings from the top UK health insurance providers.
   • Our aim is to identify the best policy for your needs, ensuring both extensive coverage and cost-effectiveness.

What should I consider before taking out a family policy?

Prioritise your family's unique healthcare needs, ensuring that the selected health insurance policy aligns with conditions, treatments, coverage levels, and budgetary considerations.

1. Your age, as some policies may have maximum age limits for adults and children.
2. Types of treatment likely needed, considering additional dental cover for children.
3. Family activities or sports that might increase the need for physiotherapy.
4. Your family's health history. This can impact inclusions and exclusions, especially for existing medical conditions.
5. Hereditary conditions, ensuring coverage for conditions like cancer or heart disease.
6. Coverage for disabilities if applicable to you or a family member.
7. Frequency of international travel, as many providers may not cover healthcare outside the UK. This generally requires separate travel insurance.
8. Consider your budget constraints in selecting a suitable healthcare policy.