Financial Services

• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness
• Mortgages
• Pensions
• Investments
• Loans
• Income Protection

Private Healthcare

What does PMI cover?

Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is an insurance policy. PMI will cover the costs of private medical healthcare for injury or illness. What is included varies from policy to policy, but here are some general guidelines:

Usually covered

• Treatment for short-term or acute medical conditions
• In-patient tests
• Surgery
• Hospital accommodation and nursing

Sometimes covered

• Out-patient tests
• Out-patient consultations with a specialist
• Overseas cover
• Cash payment for treatment as an NHS patient

Usually not covered

• Pre-existing conditions you had before taking out PMI
• GP treatment
• Cover for long-term illnesses or chronic conditions that cannot be cured
• Accident and emergency treatment
• Drug abuse
• Self-inflicted injuries
• Out-patient drugs and dressings
• HIV/AIDS
• Infertility
• Normal pregnancy
• Cosmetic surgery
• Gender reassignment
• Preventive treatment
• Kidney dialysis
• Mobility aids
• Experimental treatment or experimental drugs
• Organ transplant
• War risks
• Injuries arising from hazardous sports and pursuits

Choose the hospital - and the specialist

PMI cover often gives you the right to choose which hospital you attend - usually a private hospital near where you live - or even an NHS hospital, where you'll stay as a private patient. If your PMI does not cover this, your insurer will specify your choice from a range of hospitals.

You can often also choose the specialist who will look after you whilst you're in hospital, where the quality of treatment will be of the highest level, as will the standards of accommodation, which usually comprise a private room with en suite facilities and all the comforts of home, together with excellent food and drink.