Link to Joe Holden user page Joe Holden Senior Business Development Manager (Direct) Living in the UK, you’ll benefit from access to some of the best healthcare infrastructure in the world. And, if you’d like to experience the best of the best, you’ll find plenty of options available in the UK’s ever-growing private healthcare market. Naturally, private healthcare in the UK comes with a cost. So to help you make an informed decision, we’ll look at the kinds of private healthcare options available to you in the UK and the average costs associated with them. In this article Do I need private healthcare in the UK? Can I take out private health insurance in the UK? How much does private healthcare cost in the UK? Can I get free healthcare as an expat in the UK? Frequently asked questions Do I need private healthcare in the UK? Private healthcare is completely optional if you are living in the UK. The UK is renowned for its state healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS). This provides access to high-quality medical treatments free of charge, with funding received from ‘National Insurance’, which works similar to a supplementary income tax. Each of the UK’s four constituent countries has its own version of the NHS. In England, it is known simply as the NHS, while Scotland has NHS Scotland, Wales has NHS Wales and Northern Ireland has Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland (HSC). Anyone living in Britain as a resident can receive treatment from the NHS for free, although there is a charge to use some services such as dentistry. A resident is someone who has ‘indefinite leave to remain’ or ‘settled status’ in the UK. This typically means you have lived in the UK continuously for five years. However, when it comes to applying for NHS services, so long as you have a Tier 1, 2, 4 or 5 visa that shows you intend to live in the UK for at least six months, you will be eligible to apply for an NHS Number. If you have just moved to the UK, or you are only staying for a short time, you may want to look into private health insurance to ensure you’ll have access to the treatment you need. The rise of private healthcare in the UK In recent years many people in Britain have started to opt for private healthcare. As of 2022, 22% of people in Britain had private health insurance – an increase of 10% since 2019. This move towards private healthcare comes at a time of rapidly increasing waiting times for NHS users. Can I take out private health insurance in the UK? There are a number of private health insurers in the UK who offer fast access to high-quality healthcare services. Many of these providers have their own private hospitals and treatment centres available exclusively to their own members. Other providers may offer access to dedicated third-party private treatment centres or, where these are not available, access to private wards within NHS hospitals. A private health insurer in the UK will typically cover in-patient and out-patient care in a hospital, including treatments for major illnesses. However, they may not be able to provide cover for pre-existing medical conditions, elective surgeries and emergency treatment. Moving to the UK? Looking for international health insurance cover? Choose William Russell to benefit from high-quality healthcare cover anywhere in the UK, across Europe and around the world Is private health insurance in the UK worth it? Taking out private health insurance in the UK is a personal choice and you are not obligated to do so. The key benefit of taking out private health insurance is that you’ll have access to high-quality healthcare, short waiting lists, and you’ll be entitled to treatment in private medical facilities. You won’t need to worry about finding a facility. While not every region in the UK boasts its own private hospital, the UK is still home to a number of private healthcare clinics and other medical facilities. No matter where you live in the UK, you are sure to find a number of facilities nearby. Major metropolitan cities tend to offer the best access to private healthcare facilities – London alone accounts for 40% of the total private healthcare market in the UK. But even many small towns and villages still have their own private healthcare centres. On the other hand, it is worth remembering that, even if you have private health insurance, you may still need to depend on the NHS for access to accident and emergency departments, ambulance services, some types of hospital treatment and General Practitioners (although some health insurance includes cover for GPs). And, if you are a UK taxpayer, you will still need to pay National Insurance to the NHS, even if you have private health insurance. That means you might end up paying two lots of monthly health insurance premiums! Ultimately, if you value having access to faster, high-quality care in private medical facilities, then private medical insurance is definitely worth it. Every private hospital in the UK – mapped There are 172 private hospitals in the UK. These tend to be run by private healthcare companies such as BUPA, Spire, Nuffield Health and Circle. Use this map to see if you live close to a private hospital: Prioritising mental health has never been more important Which countries have the best mental health in the world? How much does private healthcare cost in the UK? If you’re thinking about taking out a private health insurance policy for yourself and/or your family in the UK, the bottom line is that you should be prepared for a significant expense. The United Kingdom is the fifth-most expensive country in the world for private healthcare, according to the World Economic Forum. Its per-capita health expenditure in 2021 was £4,434/US$5,387. Why is private healthcare in the UK so expensive? Some of the reasons private healthcare costs more in the UK than in other countries include: Lack of government subsidies – Unlike in other countries, National Insurance in the UK goes entirely to supporting the state healthcare system (the NHS). While some private healthcare providers in the UK receive government grants in return for providing treatment to NHS patients, the private healthcare sector generally does not receive support from the taxpayer, meaning it must rely entirely on fees taken from members and patients. Cutting-edge technology and expertise – Private healthcare providers in the UK invest in the latest and greatest medical technology and the most highly-trained experts around. The high prices paid for these assets cascade down to members and patients. The upside is that ‘you get what you pay for’ with private healthcare in the UK – some of the highest-quality medical care in the world. Rent and operating costs – Private hospitals in the UK are often found in the centre of major towns and cities, where the cost of rent can be higher. These hospitals must also pay for their own running costs, including the cost of electricity, heating and plumbing, as well as staffing costs. When you pay for a private hospital stay in the UK, you’re also helping to pay these bills. Business fees – Because private healthcare operators in the UK are treated like any other business, they must pay corporation taxes, such as VAT. They are also responsible for mandatory business costs, such as paying into their employees’ pension pots. These costs are added onto patients’ bills. Profitability – Private healthcare companies are, like any other type of private enterprise, beholden to their shareholders and investors. Therefore, the companies must always seek to try to turn a profit. When macroeconomic trends such as inflation affect profitability, private healthcare providers will often be forced to raise prices. As a provider of international health insurance ourselves, we note that premiums for people living in the UK tend to be higher than in other countries. In fact, the UK is consistently one of our most expensive countries for health insurance premiums. The cost of healthcare in the UK is also increasing rapidly. Healthcare costs in the UK increased 25% between 2019 and 2022. This is consistent with the rising cost of healthcare around the world, but is being felt particularly acutely in European countries like the UK where rising inflation has caused an acute cost of living crisis. Do bear in mind that, even if you take out private health insurance, you will still be obligated to pay National Insurance as a UK taxpayer. While this entitles you to access NHS services alongside your private medical entitlements, you won’t be able to claim this monthly expenditure back. The cost of private health insurance is rising around the world We look at some ways you can reduce your health insurance premium The cost of private healthcare in the UK The cost of your private health insurance policy will depend on several factors, including: The healthcare or insurance provider you choose Your age Your general health and well-being Your lifestyle Where you live Your level of coverage Why does where I live affect the cost of my private health insurance? Your health insurer may base the cost of your private healthcare premiums on your postcode. This takes into account various factors including: How close you live to a private medical facility How many other members live in your area The claim rate for other members in your area How affluent your area is Every insurer will have a unique approach to calculating the cost of healthcare, so this may not apply to all policies. Every private healthcare insurance provider in the UK is free to set their own price, which is why it pays to look around for a good deal before settling on one insurer – although you should also make sure your local private hospital is included in your chosen provider’s network. According to research from myTribe Insurance, looking at the average cost of eight leading health insurers in the UK across 10 towns and cities, the average cost of private healthcare in the UK in 2023 is: Average cost of private healthcare in the UK – per month Average cost of private healthcare in the UK – per year £86.07/US$104.85 £1,302.84/US$1,587.15 Source: myTribe Insurance Moving abroad is not without it’s challenges Find out the disadvantages of living abroad and how to overcome them Broken down by age, the average monthly cost looks like this: Age Average monthly premium (GBP) 20 £36.16 30 £47.48 40 £57.67 50 £74.45 60 £110.69 70 £179.21 Source: myTribe Insurance And here’s how the average price of private healthcare varies by region, ranging from most expensive to least expensive: UK Region Average monthly premium (GBP) London £84.35 North West £75.85 South East £72.50 West Midlands £69.96 South West £68.65 East Midlands £67.82 Yorkshire and the Humber £66.14 East Anglia £64.84 Wales £63.36 North East £60.52 Scotland £54.59 Source: myTribe Insurance Want more expat content?Subscribe to our fortnightly newsletter! Enter your email address CommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The most expensive cities for private health insurance in the UK According to myTribe’s research, Edinburgh is the cheapest city in the UK to take out private health insurance, at 15% lower than the national average. Meanwhile, London is the most expensive, coming in at 25% higher than the national average. 1/ London Average monthly premium: £108.63 Relative to national average: +25.55 2/ Manchester Average monthly premium: £97.17 Relative to national average: +12.6 3/ Birmingham Average monthly premium: £91.80 Relative to national average: +4.54 4/ Bournemouth Average monthly premium: £89.14 Relative to national average: +3 5/ Cambridge Average monthly premium: £81.40 Relative to national average: -5.06 6/ Oxford Average monthly premium: £81.30 Relative to national average: -5.35 7/ Cardiff Average monthly premium: £80.77 Relative to national average: -5.95 8/ Bristol Average monthly premium: £80.52 Relative to national average: -6.05 9/ Leeds Average monthly premium: £79.36 Relative to national average: -7.35 10/ Edinburgh Average monthly premium: £71.30 Relative to national average: -15.74 Source: myTribe Insurance Countries around the world apply different approaches to medical care Which countries have the best healthcare in the world? Can I get free healthcare as an expat in the UK? Anyone who wants to seek NHS services in the UK will need to be in possession of an ‘NHS Number’. This is a unique registration code that entitles you to any NHS services. The process of acquiring your NHS number can take around six weeks, so it’s advisable that you take out private medical insurance when you first arrive in the UK. If you try to access NHS services without a valid NHS number, you may have to pay a patient surcharge. This could be up to 150% of the normal NHS rate. How to get an NHS number In order to subscribe to NHS services in England and Wales (and the Isle of Man), you will need to hold the status of ‘ordinary resident’, sometimes known as ‘settled status’. In order to reach this status, you will need to prove that you intend to live permanently in the UK for at least six months. This means holding a valid visa (either Tier 1, 2, 4 or 5) or having ‘indefinite leave to remain’ (ILR). After you arrive in the UK, you will first need to apply for a National Insurance number. This process can take up to 4 weeks. You can claim a National Insurance number so long as: You already live in the UK You have the right to work, or You already have a job or job offer in the UK Once you have a National Insurance number, you then need to visit your local GP surgery and ask to register with the NHS. You will need to provide your National Insurance and show proof of a permanent address, and you may also be asked for identifying documents, such as a passport or driver’s licence, and your visa or ILR status. Your application will then be processed and you will receive a letter in the post around two weeks later providing your NHS number. Once you have this number, you will be eligible to receive NHS treatments. Is healthcare ever really free? Find out which countries provide universal healthcare Can I get free healthcare if I am returning to the UK from abroad? If you are a British citizen returning to the UK after living abroad, it’s important to remember that you will not be automatically entitled to free NHS treatment right away. Assuming you already have a National Insurance number and a previous NHS Number, you will need to re-activate your NHS credentials by registering at a GP and filling in a GMS1 form. You will also need to provide proof that you intend to re-settle in the UK for at least six months by providing evidence of: A permanent address Proof of employment An active UK bank account You can also provide evidence that shows you no longer live abroad, such as proof that you have sold your overseas property, terminated your overseas employment, shipped your possessions back to the UK, or ended your insurance and utilities contracts overseas. This process is usually quick if you were previously registered with the NHS, but you may want to consider taking out private health insurance when you first arrive back in the UK in case you need unexpected or emergency medical treatment. Are you thinking about moving to the UK? Find out how to open a UK bank account Frequently asked questions Here are some frequently asked questions about private healthcare in the UK: Is private healthcare in the UK worth it? Choosing private healthcare in the UK is very much a personal choice. As a resident in the UK, you will always be entitled to free healthcare from the NHS and, as a taxpayer, you will be obligated to pay National Insurance. The NHS provides high-quality medical care to all patients, although some services are not available and waiting times can be long. Private healthcare is for you if: You want faster access to treatment You would prefer to be treated in a private hospital You want or need access to specialist healthcare services not usually available on the NHS, such as dentistry and physiotherapy Does private medical insurance entitle me to use any hospital? Many private health insurance providers in the UK have their own network of hospitals and healthcare facilities. As a member, you may be entitled to use only those facilities. Other providers may offer coverage that extends across a range of different private medical facilities. It’s best to check with your insurer where you will be entitled to treatment, especially if you require access to a private hospital or medical centre nearby to where you live. With William Russell, you’ll have the freedom to choose any hospital in the UK for your treatment when you choose us for international health insurance. What about emergency treatment? Some private hospitals provide emergency care, but many do not. If you need emergency treatment in the UK, you should dial 999 for the emergency services. All ambulances in the UK are provided by the NHS and are always free of charge. If you need to receive treatment in an accident and emergency (A&E) centre in the UK, this will also be provided free of charge by the NHS. You will not be charged for emergency medical care in the UK, even as a foreign citizen, so don’t hesitate to call the emergency services if you need them. If you require ongoing care after an ambulance journey and/or treatment in A&E, you may be charged for these services if you are not entitled to free NHS care. Will my employer provide health insurance? Some employers in the UK offer supplementary or free private medical insurance to employees as a perk. However, employers in the UK are not obligated to provide health insurance to employees. Instead, your employer will pay your share of National Insurance from your salary, which will entitle you to healthcare from the NHS. Can I take out private health insurance in the UK if I have a pre-existing condition? Many insurers will not cover pre-existing conditions, so if you have an ongoing or previous illness you may need to search around to find an insurer who can offer you cover. A pre-existing condition is usually defined as an ongoing or past major illness or injury that requires ongoing medical care, or that may affect your future health. Learn more about pre-existing medical conditions Will international health insurance give me access to private healthcare in the UK? International health insurance is a type of policy designed especially for expats. If you have an international health insurance policy you may be eligible to access private healthcare facilities in the UK so long as they are part of your insurer’s network. At William Russell, our international health insurance policy gives you access to over 40,000 medical facilities worldwide. In the UK, William Russell members will be able to receive treatment from any Spire Healthcare or Nuffield Health treatment centre, and you are always free to choose the best facility to suit your needs. Can I use my private medical insurance in the UK while travelling abroad? If you take out a private health insurance policy with a UK provider, you may not be able to use it while travelling abroad. Your coverage will depend on whether your insurer offers worldwide cover, and may be limited to only hospitals and medical facilities within their own network, which may not extend worldwide. If you regularly travel and are looking for a health insurance policy that covers you both in the UK and abroad, you may be better off with international health insurance. International health insurance that offers access to private hospitals in the UK Whether you’re moving to the UK as an expat or returning from overseas, international health insurance can help to protect you while you apply for a NHS Number, while also giving you access to a network of private hospitals and medical facilities across the UK. At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience helping international students like you to get the best deal on international health insurance. Our policies give you access to an extensive network of over 40,000 medical facilities worldwide, meaning you’ll always have access to the best-quality treatment when you need it. Get an online quote today and start to enjoy your new life in the UK with total peace of mind. Looking for international health insurance? 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