Best expat health insurance quotes in the UK

The UK has a tax-funded healthcare system known as the NHS that is available to all residents and covers doctor and hospital visits, maternity care plus a range of other healthcare treatment either free or at a subsidized rate. Non-EU/EEA visitors can access NHS services by paying an immigration health surcharge. There are also private health services that can be covered through private insurance.

Health insurance in the UK is mandatory. Those coming to the UK from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland for more than six months have to pay a health surcharge or take out private insurance. If you do this, you can access NHS services on the same basis as everyone else. If you haven’t paid and don’t have any medical insurance, you’ll be charged at 150% of the standard NHS tariff for any care you receive.

It’s best to start your private health insurance policy just before you arrive in the UK. If you have a coverage gap between your insurance at home and your new policy, this could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses in case of emergency.

Usually private health insurance policies are on an individual basis. If you want to cover a partner or family members, you can add them on when you build your policy. If you have several dependents, it’s worth shopping around for the best family plan.

When you first design a health insurance plan, you can choose what you will pay yourself and what the provider will pay. Which treatments your plan covers depends on if you’ve met your deductible, whether you have a provider network, and other factors.

Health insurance premiums are based on age, medical history, level of coverage needed, and whether you include extra benefits. It’s worth noting that the UK is known for having quite expensive private health insurance premiums.

The claims process in the UK varies between insurers. Some deal directly with healthcare providers and pay bills on your behalf while others require you to pay upfront and send an invoice after. If you’re concerned about having to pay upfront, look for a provider who can sort out claims directly.