Health Insurance for Diabetics

Roman Danaev

19 December 2024

More than four million people in the UK live with diabetes, and it can affect many areas of life, including health insurance. If you have diabetes, you probably have a lot of questions about how it might influence your options. This guide will help you understand insurance for diabetics and find a policy that works for you.

Can You Get Health Insurance for Diabetics?

Yes, but there are a few things to know. Considering that your diabetes is a pre-existing condition, your insurance won’t cover treatments directly related to it. This means things like medication or insulin won’t be included.

That said, most insurers are still happy to provide coverage for people with diabetes — they just won’t cover anything related to the condition itself.

For example, if you hurt yourself in an accident and need medical treatment, your insurance will still cover that because it’s not related to your diabetes. Plus, in the UK, the NHS will cover diabetes treatment, so you’re already sorted there. Your health insurance will then help with other medical issues not linked to diabetes.

Is Medical Insurance for Diabetics More Expensive?

Health insurance for diabetics can cost more, but not always. On the one hand, diabetes increases the risk of health problems, so some insurers charge higher premiums. However, every insurance company is different. Some exclude diabetes-related treatment from their policies, meaning the price is the same as for those without any pre-existing conditions.

If you have diabetes, you must tell your insurer when you apply. They will use this information to set your premiums, and failing to mention it could mean your claim is denied later on.

However, there are ways to keep the cost of insurance for diabetics down. For example, you might choose a higher excess to lower your monthly premium or earn a no-claims discount if you haven’t used the policy. Also, if you can show that you’re managing your diabetes well, some insurers offer a lower premium.

How Does Diabetic Health Insurance Work?

Health insurance for diabetics works similarly to regular health insurance but with some extra attention to your condition. Once you have a policy, you’ll have access to quicker private healthcare for managing diabetes and any related treatments. This will help you avoid the long waiting times that come with the NHS.

When applying, you’ll need to share medical details about your diabetes, including how well you’re managing it and any treatments you’re undergoing. This way, the insurer will understand how they can best support you.

With diabetic health insurance, you get faster access to specialists, tests, and treatments that are customised to your situation. It also offers more flexibility in choosing when and where you receive care compared to the NHS.

What Does Private Medical Insurance Cover?

The coverage you get depends on the health insurance policy you select. Some things are usually included as standard, and others are added on if you need them.

• Inpatient treatment — Most health insurance plans cover hospital stays and day-patient care as part of the basic package. So, you’re covered if you need to be admitted to the hospital.
• Outpatient treatment and diagnosis — Outpatient care isn’t always included in the basic plan, but it’s often available as an optional extra.
• Cancer cover — Coverage for cancer treatments varies. Some plans cover it as standard, and others offer it as an extra you can add if you want to.
• Mental health support — Mental health treatment is usually an extra benefit. Some insurers offer helplines; others give you direct access to therapy or counselling without needing a GP referral. Some plans also include wellbeing support in the base package.
• Therapies — Therapies such as physiotherapy or chiropractic care are typically available as additional cover. There may be limits on how many sessions are covered, so it’s good to check the details.
• Dental and optical care — Typically, dental and optical care are offered as optional additions, but some higher-level plans include them as standard. This covers things like check-ups, treatments, and dental emergencies, both in the UK and abroad. As always, coverage limits can vary, so it’s worth checking.

What’s Typically Excluded from Private Health Insurance?

It’s no secret that health insurance won’t cover your diabetes. As a chronic condition, it falls outside the scope of most insurance plans, which focus on treating acute conditions and injuries. Because diabetes isn’t curable, insurers typically exclude any health issues that arise directly from it. These can include:

• Heart problems
• Strokes
• Blood flow issues
• Certain eye problems

And this list isn’t all-encompassing, so you should always check with your insurer upfront, whether you’re signing up for a new policy or seeking treatment. That way, you won’t run into any surprises.

On top of that, if you’ve had medical attention for other conditions in the past five years, those may be excluded, too. Most insurers apply a two-year waiting period, which means if the condition doesn’t flare up in the first two years, it might be covered.

As a general rule, health insurers also tend to exclude:

• Addiction therapy
• Cosmetic surgery
• Weight loss surgery
• Fertility treatments
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Hearing aids
• Injury or illness caused by high-risk activities
• Vaccinations

How Does Moratorium Underwriting Work?

With moratorium underwriting, any health conditions you’ve had or treated in the five years before you took out the policy won’t be covered. However, if you don’t experience any symptoms (including diabetes symptoms) or need treatment for those conditions within the first two years, the insurer might add them to your policy after that. The main benefit here is that you don’t have to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions when you apply.

However, when you make a claim, the insurer will check your medical history. If they find a link to your diabetes, they could refuse to pay. In other words, there’s some uncertainty about what’s covered, and your claim might take longer while they investigate.

How Does Full Medical Underwriting Work?

If you opt for full medical underwriting, you’ll need to complete a health questionnaire when applying for your policy. Any conditions related to your diabetes, along with other health issues you’ve had treatment for in the last five years, will be excluded from your coverage.

The benefit is that you’ll know exactly what’s included and what’s not right from the start. However, since diabetes is considered a higher risk, your premiums may be higher.

Who Are the Best Providers for Diabetics Health Insurance in the UK?

In this section, we’ll cover the main UK providers and their insurance products that could be helpful to you. The details about different insurers are general, so you should also check with the providers to see how their exclusions apply to your specific situation.

Aviva

Aviva’s Healthier Solutions policy is a solid option if you’re looking for both inpatient and outpatient care across the UK. You’ll also get cancer coverage, access to a digital GP, and a stress counselling helpline. The choice of consultants is slightly more limited than some other insurance providers, but their lower premiums make it a great choice for those on a budget.

In terms of diabetics health insurance, you’ll need to share a few details:

• The type of diabetes you have
• When you were diagnosed
• If you have any complications with your eyes, feet, or kidneys
• Your most recent check-up results, including your HbA1c (which measures your blood sugar), blood pressure, and urine test

If you had gestational diabetes and your blood sugar has returned to normal, you could qualify for standard rates. However, if you were prescribed insulin during your pregnancy, there’s a higher risk of developing Type 1 diabetes later on. In this case, Type 1 diabetes will be excluded from your critical illness cover if you’re applying for an upgrade.

AXA

AXA Healthcare provides core coverage for inpatient and day-patient care, with outpatient care available as an extra. With access to over 250 private hospitals and no limit on the number of physiotherapy or chiropractic sessions, AXA offers generous coverage.

As for insurance for diabetics, the AXA pamphlet uses the example of a patient who has been using their comprehensive cover for some time when they begin experiencing symptoms of a condition such as diabetes. After seeing a specialist and starting treatment, their condition stabilises. In that case, further ongoing visits would no longer be covered, except for one final consultation to discuss future care options.

If the condition worsens and hospital treatment is needed, the cost of the hospital stay and any necessary post-discharge treatment would be covered to support recovery.

Bupa

Bupa is known for its excellent network of private hospitals and clinics. Its policies come with a strong core cover and lots of benefits, plus discounts for policyholders. It offers a broad range of treatments, but you’ll want to confirm what’s included for diabetes management.

Here’s an example Bupa gives for diabetic health insurance: A patient develops symptoms suggesting diabetes and is referred to a specialist for tests and treatment. The tests needed for diagnosis are covered by the policy. However, ongoing management, including medication and regular reviews, will need to be provided by the NHS.

If the condition worsens and hospital treatment is needed, the policy won’t cover initial NHS treatment, but it will cover private care for planned treatment if contacted in advance.

Freedom Health

Freedom Health offers a solid core policy, plus extras like outpatient care, with no restrictions on consultant choice. They don’t base premiums on your postcode and guarantee no premium increases in the first two years.

You can see how they approach insurance for diabetics here: A patient begins noticing symptoms of diabetes and sees a specialist for tests. After starting treatment and a few check-ups, the specialist confirms the condition is under control and recommends follow-up visits every four months. In that case, the treatment for diabetes is covered. Once the condition is stable, ongoing monitoring will be covered under the chronic condition benefit, if available, to help manage long-term health.

If you’re managing diabetes during pregnancy, you’ll likely need a specialist referral, but they’ve got you covered.

The Exeter

The Exeter runs a community-rated scheme, meaning your claims won’t impact your premiums. They offer comprehensive health insurance cover, which includes outpatient surgery, cancer care, and mental health coverage, with options for additional coverage.

As for diabetics health insurance, they share the following example: A patient begins experiencing symptoms of diabetes and visits a specialist for testing. If the patient has prior approval and available benefits, they’ll cover the costs of the initial consultation, tests, and follow-up appointments, but only for up to three months after the condition is stable. Medication is not covered.

A year later, the patient’s diabetes becomes unstable, and their GP arranges for hospital treatment. Although diabetes is a chronic condition, this is seen as an acute episode, so the treatment costs will be covered, typically with a medical report or further information.

What’s more, they offer life insurance for Type 2 diabetics, which is hard to find with other insurers. Known for excellent customer satisfaction and quick claims handling, The Exeter is a great option if you’re managing this condition.

Vitality

Vitality’s approach is focused on encouraging a healthier lifestyle. Some of their rewards and discounts for new customers don’t apply if you have diabetes, but the focus on wellness is a nice touch. If you do need treatment, they promise to cover all your hospital bills, which could be useful if you’re managing your diabetes with lifestyle changes instead of medication.

Similarly to other examples, Vitality handles diabetic health insurance like this: A patient develops symptoms of diabetes, and Vitality covers the treatment until the condition is stable but does not cover ongoing check-ups. One final check-up is covered to help the patient arrange alternative care. Medication is not covered.

If the condition worsens and hospital treatment is required, Vitality will cover one check-up after discharge to ensure stability.

WPA

WPA has built a strong reputation for top-notch customer service and an easy claims process through its app. It offers access to a wide network of hospitals and specialists. Plus, if you’re self-employed or in certain professions, you can get a 20% discount on your premium.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much public information about WPA’s insurance for diabetics. The policy just states that pre-existing health conditions, like diabetes, aren’t covered if they require ongoing treatment, medication, or advice. This is due to the moratorium period, which resets every time treatment is received, and it’s unlikely for diabetics to go two consecutive years without symptoms or care.

How to Use a Broker to Compare Diabetic Health Insurance Deals

Finding the right insurance for diabetics can make you feel overwhelmed. There are so many options for health, life, and even car insurance, and it can be hard to know which one truly fits your needs.

What you find on insurance websites isn’t always clear, and sometimes, it’s tough to figure out what’s actually covered. That’s why we at MoneyRepublic want to help. We offer straightforward advice based on your specific needs and help you find the right coverage for your situation. We partner with trusted brokers, fully authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, to make sure you get the best advice and a policy that works for you.

With our service, you can easily compare quotes and get the support you need to make an educated decision without any confusion.

Final Words: Health Insurance for Diabetes

Getting health insurance for diabetics isn’t always simple. Premiums can be higher, and some conditions might not be covered. Even so, it’s worth having. It provides invaluable support for serious illnesses like cancer or injuries where fast, high-quality care makes all the difference.

If you’re at risk of developing diabetes but don’t have a diagnosis yet, it’s better to get a policy now. This way, you’ll have coverage for any related conditions in the future and one less thing to worry about.