COVID-19 (Coronavirus) FAQs
In these uncertain times, we know many people in the UK have questions about private health insurance and how it may be affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus). To help, we’ve put together the below FAQs to answer the questions many of those who access our health insurance quote service have asked.
Is private health insurance still valid?
Yes – it is. The NHS has enlisted private hospital beds and staff to support health services which have been under pressure because of the pandemic, but as of yet – private health services have been mildly affected.
If you would like clarifications as to if your private health cover is affected we advise you contact your health insurance provider directly.
Can I access private health insurance services in lockdown?
Non-urgent services and treatments are on-hold – but health insurance members can still access urgent or needed services in lockdown.
The majority of private health insurance providers offer their members access to online and phone services which minimise the need for travel. For example, BupaHealth provides its members with a Digital GP service. Members can use this service to arrange virtual GP appointments 24/7. AXA PPP policyholders can access Health@Hand – a 24/7 phoneline which provides members with support and advice from nurses and counsellors.
If you have arranged a private service or treatment, contact your provider to confirm if this is still to go ahead and how it may have been affected by COVID-19.
Do policyholders receive cashback benefits if they stay in an NHS hospital because of COVID-19?
Most health insurance providers are still offering their policyholders with cashback benefits, for stays in hospitals as a result of coronavirus.
- Bupa is offering members an NHS cashback benefit of £50 per night – for a maximum of 35 nights
- Aviva is offering policyholders a cashback benefit of up to £100 per night – for a maximum of 30 nights
- Vitality Health is offering members an NHS cashback benefit – which is limited to a total of £5,000
Policyholders are usually entitled to this type of benefit after an initial waiting period, after starting a new policy.
Over50sHealthInsurance helped me find the best private health insurance. I can’t believe how easy it was, I would recommend them to anyone looking for health insurance." - Lisa Chapman from Newcastle
