Private Medical Insurance
You can use your private medical insurance to cover treatments at Nuffield Health hospitals, giving you access to quality care with reduced waiting times.
Considering private medical insurance? Usay Compare’s expert advisers can help you find a plan that fits your needs and budget. Read more below.
Paying for your treatment via medical insurance
If you are paying for your procedure with medical insurance, then you need to liaise closely with your insurance provider throughout your treatment.
You should be aware of the terms and conditions of your policy and let us know if there are any limitations.
When you attend the hospital for treatment, please make sure you bring the following:
- Medical insurance registration documents
- Completed claim form/proof of pre-authorisation by your medical insurer.
GP medical insurance claim sign-off
Make sure that your claim form has been signed by your GP and, if required, by your insurance policy provider. In order to meet the admission requirements of many insurance companies, we may need you to provide the date when your symptoms first developed and the date you subsequently visited your GP.
How to manage your medical treatment invoice
We have an arrangement with many insurance companies that allows us to send your invoice to them electronically. However, at the end of your stay you may receive an invoice for treatment which, together with any consultant bills, should be forwarded to your insurance company.
Private medical treatment payment considerations
- If you don’t have all your insurance details with you when you first come into hospital for treatment, you may be asked to settle your account in full before leaving.
- As part of your treatment, and to ensure we can support you as quickly and smoothly as we can, we will need to take a swipe of your bank card before your procedure. We won’t take any money without your prior knowledge and will only process information in compliance with our data privacy policy. This is necessary to proceed with your treatment. Treatment could be refused if card details aren’t provided.
Additional costs resulting from your stay
Additional costs for any extras, such as telephone calls, newspapers and magazines and visitor meals, will be invoiced and must be paid when you leave the hospital.
We are happy to answer any questions and help you understand the financial aspect of your treatment.
Please note
It is possible that you may have an excess on your policy or some charges may not be settled by your insurer or third party. It is Nuffield Health’s policy to request card details as part of the booking process.
Your credit/debit card details will only be used to secure payment in the event of any shortfall by your Insurer and you will be notified of the shortfall amount by the hospital.
Looking for private medical insurance?
Best price guaranteed from Usay Compare
With over 95% of Trustpilot reviews rated 'excellent', Nuffield Health has partnered with Usay Compare to offer an award-winning, independent and free comparison service for private medical insurance.
Usay Compare has already helped more than 650,000 people find a policy that suits their needs.
Their advisers compare leading insurers, explain your options clearly, and help you choose the right cover at the best available price.
What is private medical insurance (PMI)?
Private medical insurance (PMI) helps cover the cost of private healthcare.
When you take out a policy, you and your insurer agree that if you become ill or injured, the policy will aim to return you to the same level of health you had when you took it out.
PMI does not provide a lump sum payout. Instead, the insurer pays directly for private diagnostics and treatment—often at a Nuffield Health hospital. All PMI policies require you to be registered with an NHS GP.
Benefits of private medical care
Private medical insurance is designed to complement NHS services. With PMI, you can benefit from:
- Easier access to GP appointments
- Quicker access to diagnostics
- A wider choice of consultants and hospitals.
Why choose Nuffield Health for your treatment?
Nuffield Health hospitals offer:
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Private en suite rooms
- Consultant-led treatment
- Dedicated, experienced nursing teams.
About Usay Compare, health insurance comparison experts
Usay Compare is the UK’s leading independent private medical insurance intermediary, and winner of Best Individual Health Insurance Advice Firm 2025.
They are fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and compare policies from major UK insurers including Aviva, AXA, Bupa, Vitality, The Exeter and WPA.
Their advisers take the time to understand your needs and guide you step by step, ensuring you choose the right cover with confidence. There is no cost to you for their service, and they are completely independent and impartial.
Usay Compare Trustpilot reviews
Why compare medical insurance?
Comparing policies ensures you get the best policy for your individual needs, at the best price. It helps you understand:
- Differences in benefits
- Optional extras
- Levels of outpatient and cancer cover
- Price variations between insurers
Usay Compare does the hard work on your behalf. Their highly trained advisers provide personalised recommendations — and they guarantee the best available price on the market.
In short, PMI gives you faster access to diagnostics and treatment, and Usay Compare helps you find the right policy at the best available price.
Pre-existing conditions: what you need to know
A pre-existing condition is generally any illness or injury you had before applying for a policy. This may include:
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Long-term conditions such as cancer or HIV
Private medical insurers typically do not cover pre-existing conditions, but different underwriting options may still be available. If you're unsure, Usay Compare’s advisers can explain which approach might work best for your circumstances.
How much does private medical insurance cost?
The cost depends on factors such as:
- Your age
- Your location
- The level of cover you choose
- Optional add-ons (e.g., enhanced outpatient cover, therapies, dental/optical benefits)
Usay Compare will discuss your needs, explain your options, and help you find the right balance between cover and cost. They can also support you when renewing or switching policies.
Get expert help
To speak to an adviser, call 01285 701332 or click below.
FAQs
We know private medical insurance can be confusing. Usay Compare have answered some questions below to help.
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Who needs medical insurance?In the UK we are lucky to have a National Health Service. However, Health Insurance can unlock benefits like reduced waiting times, access to better medicines and treatments, additional comfort and privacy, and more choice and flexibility around when and where your treatment takes place (including Nuffield Health Hospitals). Contact us to explore your Health Insurance options.
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Can I get private medical insurance with a pre-existing condition?Yes you can, however, the pre-existing condition will be excluded from coverage on the policy. In most cases, this is reviewed after two years should there be no medical advice, treatment or medication, for a continuous two-year period on the policy for that condition. This will depend on which underwriting style is best for you and your situation. For more information, contact us and we will be happy to help.
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What is an excess in medical insurance?An excess is an amount each person on your policy pays towards the cost of a claim. For example, if you choose a £250 excess per claim and your treatment for one eligible claim costs £5,000, you would pay the first £250 and the insurer would pay the rest. In the event of the claim being lower than the excess, then the remainder of the excess “pot” would be used towards the next claim. Get a quote to start exploring your Health Insurance options.
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What isn’t covered by private medical insurance?All insurers have a list of conditions and examples that will not be covered. These are known as “general exclusions”. Some general exclusions include routine pregnancy, war, riots and terrorism, and routine maintenance of existing chronic conditions. Exceptions will be detailed within your policy documents but if you would like to know more, contact us via the form and we will be happy to help.
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Will I need a medical examination?No, absolutely not. Unlike life insurance, there are no medical examinations or nurse screenings to attend. Some policies may ask you for some eligibility criteria that will include information about your most recent medical history however most policies we sell do not require you to divulge ANY medical information at all. Contact us to start the process and get a no-obligation policy recommendation for a leading UK provider.
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What is an insurance intermediary?An intermediary's job is to support the purchase of insurance. It's about providing free, unbiased guidance so our clients can make the most informed decisions about their health insurance needs. We're here to help you.
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How are Usay Compare and Nuffield Health working together?As part of Nuffield Health's purpose to build a healthier nation, they are recommending Usay Compare’s free comparison service for Private Medical Insurance. The service is entirely provided by Usay Compare.