Couples Health Insurance
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Couples Health Insurance
Couples health insurance is a type of policy that lets you and your partner share one health plan. This means both of you can get private healthcare together. This guide will look into the benefits of joining your health insurance policy, including how it can save you money and make managing your health insurance cover easier.
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We offer completely free and no obligation advice on Couples’ Private Health Insurance. Our experienced advisors will take the stress away from you and do all the hard work to find you the best provider by comparing quotes with the leading providers in the market. We have been working directly with AXA, Aviva, Bupa, and Vitality for over 40 years and tailoring the best policies for our customers.
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What is private health insurance for couples?
Couples health insurance works like individual health insurance but covers both you and your partner under one policy. This type of policy allows two people who live together to share a single plan. It starts covering new health problems, known as acute conditions, from the day the policy begins. However, it doesn’t cover ongoing health issues, like pre-existing or chronic conditions. You pay a monthly premium, which is usually about 5% cheaper than getting two separate policies.
Just like individual health insurance, couples health insurance gives you access to private healthcare in the UK, with the amount of care you receive depending on the level of coverage you choose. The main goal of joint health insurance is to ease the stress of health problems for both you and your partner, giving you an alternative to the NHS when you need medical treatment.
What Does Joint Health Insurance Cover?
Couple’s health insurance is designed to help cover medical expenses for both you and your partner. It is meant to provide peace of mind by ensuring that if either of you needs medical care, the costs are more manageable. Here’s a closer look at what this type of insurance typically covers:
Outpatient Treatment
Not all medical treatments require you to stay in a hospital bed. Outpatient treatment includes things like tests, consultations, or minor procedures where you can go home straight after the procedure. Depending on your policy, you might have full coverage for outpatient care, a limit on how much the insurance will pay, or you might opt to have no outpatient coverage at all.
Inpatient Treatment
If you or your partner need to stay overnight in a hospital for treatment, this will be covered. This might be necessary after a major surgery or for treatments that require you to stay in the hospital for several days. The insurance will take care of the costs associated with your stay, including the treatment, medication, and care you receive while you’re admitted.
Day Patient Treatment
Sometimes, you might need to go to the hospital for treatment or minor surgery that doesn’t require an overnight stay. This is called day-patient treatment. For example, if you need a procedure where you’re observed for a few hours afterwards but can go home the same day, most couple’s health insurance policies will cover the cost of this type of care.
Diagnostics
How your health insurance covers diagnostic tests depends on your policy. With basic insurance, you might need to use the NHS for initial tests before your insurance covers treatment. A comprehensive plan lets you do everything privately, which can be quicker.
For example, with Bupa, diagnostic tests count against your outpatient cover. If you have a £1,000 limit and a scan costs £550, you’ll have £450 left for the year.
Some insurers, like Vitality Health and The Exeter, let you reduce outpatient cover but include full diagnostics. This makes your policy more affordable while still covering important tests.
When choosing health insurance, you can select from these levels of coverage:
Types of health insurance for couples
Health insurance for couples provides essential benefits, including quicker access to treatments, a choice of specialists and comfort. These benefits make couples health insurance a smart choice for saving in premiums and peace of mind. Here is the breakdown of the level of cover for joint private health insurance policies:
Basic Cover
- Full inpatient treatment
- No out-patient cover
- May include basic cancer care, typically for inpatient services.
Mid-Range
- Some out-patient consultations (usually up to 3 consultations)
- Full inpatient
- Comprehensive cancer cover
Comprehensive
- Includes full inpatient treatments
- Full out-patient consultations
- Full diagnostics
- Comprehensive cancer cover
Our expert says…
“Private Medical Insurance is becoming increasingly more popular due to the longer waiting times through the NHS and most people assume PMI will not be affordable given the increased cost of living over the past 12 months. However, as an independent broker with access to the leading UK insurers such as Aviva, AXA and Bupa to name a few, there are hundreds of variations available at any one given time and therefore policies can be tailor-made to meet their requirements and budget.“
– Stuart Hendy, PMI expert
Underwriting options for a couple’s private health insurance
When buying health insurance, the underwriting process determines what conditions will be covered and which might be excluded. There are three main underwriting options for a couple insurance policy:
Benefits of Health Insurance
Core Cover:
Optional Add-Ons:
For more information or to customise your plan, contact us today!
What is not included with Couples Medical Insurance?
As we mentioned earlier, private medical insurance covers acute and short-term illnesses. However, some pre-existing conditions may not be covered right away. Also, all insurance plans usually do not cover the following:
How Much Does Joint Health Insurance Cost?
Joint health insurance policies generally cost about the same per person as if you were to get two individual policies, but with a small discount of around 5%, depending on the provider. Surprisingly, it might be cheaper and more advantageous to set up separate policies with different providers rather than opting for a joint policy. When you speak with one of our advisers, we’ll review your and your partner’s specific needs and medical history to recommend the best option for both of you.
Here’s a general comparison of prices from major health insurance providers:
| Provider | Monthly Premium (Individual) | Monthly Premium (Joint) |
|---|---|---|
| AXA | £65 | £98 |
| Bupa | £68 | £112 |
| Vitality | £57 | £93 |
| Freedom Health | £59 | £104 |
| Aviva Health | £62 | £108 |
| The Exeter | £64 | £110 |
AXA has a rich history dating back to 1817, originally founded in France. It expanded to the UK in 1940, becoming a key player in the insurance industry. AXA is known for its global presence and strong focus on innovation and customer service, offering a wide range of financial and insurance products.
- Outpatient level: Standard (up to 3 consultations), Full outpatient
- Excess Level: £0, £100, £250, £500
- Hospital Option: Guided, Extended Cover
- Add-ons: Mental Health, Dental and Optical, Physiotherapy, Worldwide Travel.Cashback for wigs and prostheses
Aviva traces its origins to 1696, making it one of the oldest insurance companies in the world. Formed through the merger of Norwich Union and CGU, Aviva has grown into the largest general insurer in the UK. It is recognized for its financial stability and commitment to sustainability and innovation.
- Outpatient level: £0, £500, £1,000, Full
- Excess Level: £0, £100, £200, £500, £1,000, £3,000, £5,000
- Hospital Option: Expert Select, Key, Trust, Extended, Signature, Speedy Hospital List
- Add-ons: Mental Health, Dental and Optical, Physiotherapy, Six Weeks OptionAdd-ons: Mental Health, Dental and Optical, Physiotherapy, Six Weeks Option
Bupa was established in 1947 as the British United Provident Association, initially offering private healthcare services. Over the decades, Bupa expanded globally, becoming one of the leading healthcare providers worldwide. It is known for its customer-centric approach, focusing on health and wellness rather than just insurance.
- Outpatient level: Full or £1,000
- Excess Level: £0, £100, £200, £500, £1,000, £3,000, £5,000
- Hospital Option: Guided, Essential, Extended, Extended with Central London
- Add-ons: Dental
Vitality was launched in 2004 as part of Discovery Limited, a South African insurance company. It quickly gained popularity in the UK for its unique model that rewards healthy behaviours with discounts and incentives. Vitality promotes wellness and prevention, making it a standout in the health insurance market.
- Outpatient level: 0, £500, £750, £1,000, £1,250, £1,500 or Full
- Excess Level: £0, £100, £250, £500, £1,000
- Hospital Option: Guided, Essential, Extended, Extended with Central London
- Add-ons: Dental
Why get health insurance as a couple?
Choosing a couple’s health insurance can offer significant benefits compared to individual policies. It helps you and your partner avoid NHS waiting list delays, provides access to the latest treatments and medications, and gives you more control over your healthcare choices. Additionally, joint policies can offer cost savings and reduce the amount of paperwork involved. This can simplify managing your health coverage and ensure you receive timely and effective care.
- Avoid NHS Delays
- Access Advanced Treatments
- Cost Effective
- Less admin
Do We Need to Live at the Same Address?
If you want to include your partner on your health insurance policy, most insurance companies require that you both live at the same address. This is because health insurance providers typically want everyone covered under the same policy to be part of the same household. If you and your partner have different addresses, it’s likely that your partner won’t be eligible to be added to your policy. This rule helps insurance companies manage and assess risks more accurately.
Will my partner’s pre-existing medical condition affect my policy?
If you and your partner have joint health insurance, their pre-existing medical condition could affect your policy. For example, if your partner makes a claim for a joint replacement and your premium increases, it could be due to their claim. You can ask for a breakdown of the renewal premium to understand the details.
While your premium may go up due to medical inflation, a significant increase might be linked to your partner’s claim. You can shop around for better deals or try to negotiate discounts with your current insurer. Keep in mind, though, that switching to a cheaper insurer might mean any condition you’ve claimed for in the past 12 months won’t be covered.
How can I get a joint health insurance?
To get joint health insurance, you can either contact your insurance provider directly or speak with a broker. Brokers can be especially helpful as they often provide cost-effective solutions for adding your partner to your existing plan or switching to a new one. At PremierPMI, our advisors are highly knowledgeable with years of experience and can guide you through the entire process smoothly. Whether you’re looking to add a partner or switch plans, our team can help ensure you find the best options for your needs.
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