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You can still get private health insurance with pre-existing conditions, and it will not cost you more because of your medical history.
Yes, you can get health insurance with pre-existing conditions when you are over 50. Your pre-existing conditions will typically be excluded from cover initially, but you will still be fully protected for any new, unrelated conditions that develop after your policy starts. Importantly, having pre-existing conditions does not increase your premiums: pricing is based on age, location, and cover level rather than medical history.
There are two underwriting approaches available. Moratorium underwriting automatically excludes conditions treated in the past five years, but exclusions may lift after two consecutive symptom-free years on cover. Full medical underwriting assesses your complete history upfront, giving you certainty about what is and is not covered from day one.
Providers like The Exeter offer particular flexibility for people with pre-existing conditions, including a fixed moratorium option and potential cover for complications. For over-50s, typical monthly premiums range from around £65 to £250 depending on cover level chosen.
Sources: Association of British Insurers (ABI), NHS England waiting list data (2025), Defaqto health insurance ratings (2025)
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue you have had symptoms of, received treatment for, or sought medical advice about before your health insurance policy begins. This definition is broader than many people expect.
If it is on your medical record, insurers will take it into account when deciding your cover. This includes:
You must disclose anything in your medical history when asked. Even conditions you consider minor or fully resolved could be relevant. Failing to disclose can lead to rejected claims later.
Private health insurance is designed to cover new, unexpected medical conditions that arise after your policy starts. It is essentially a safety net for the unknown, not a way to fund treatment for conditions you already have.
If insurers covered all pre-existing conditions from day one, they would effectively be paying for medical problems that are already known to exist. This would push premiums up significantly for everyone. By excluding pre-existing conditions initially, insurers can keep cover affordable while still providing valuable protection for future health issues.
This is fundamentally different from the NHS, which treats everyone regardless of medical history. Private health insurance complements NHS care rather than replacing it. You can, and should, continue using the NHS for pre-existing conditions while using private cover for new problems.
When you apply for health insurance, you choose how insurers assess your medical history. This process is called underwriting, and it is the most important decision you will make when setting up your policy. The two main options are moratorium underwriting and full medical underwriting (FMU).
With moratorium underwriting, you do not provide your full medical history upfront. The insurer only looks at your medical records if and when you make a claim.
Any conditions you have had treatment, symptoms, or advice for in the five years before the policy starts are excluded automatically. If you go two consecutive years without any symptoms, treatment, or advice for that condition after the policy begins, it may become covered. The lookback period is typically five years before your policy start date.
Advantages: Quick and simple application process. Historic conditions (more than five years ago) are usually covered immediately. Exclusions may lift after two symptom-free years. Good if you have recovered from a serious condition in the past five years.
Drawbacks: You will not know exactly what is covered until you claim. Claims can take longer as your medical history is reviewed at that point. Minor issues from the past five years are automatically excluded.
With full medical underwriting, you provide a complete medical history when you apply. The insurer then confirms in writing which conditions will be covered or excluded.
You complete a detailed health questionnaire about your past and current health. The insurer may request your GP records for more detail. You receive a list of personal medical exclusions before your policy starts, so you know exactly what is and is not covered from day one.
Advantages: Complete clarity about your cover before you start paying. Faster claims process since your history is already assessed. Minor conditions are assessed individually rather than automatically excluded.
Drawbacks: Longer, more detailed application process. Exclusions tend to be permanent, even if you go years without symptoms. Serious conditions from any time in your past may be excluded.
Choose moratorium if you have had minor issues in the past five years but nothing serious, if you have recovered from a more serious condition and expect to remain symptom-free, or if you want a quick and simple application.
Choose full medical underwriting if you have a complex medical history, if you want complete certainty about your cover, or if you would rather know exclusions upfront than discover them when claiming.
Understanding the difference between chronic and acute conditions is essential because it affects what private health insurance will ever cover.
An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that comes on suddenly and is likely to respond to treatment, leading to full recovery. Private health insurance is designed for acute conditions. Examples include appendicitis, broken bones, new cancer diagnoses, cataracts, hernias, joint replacements, and heart attacks. Even if an acute condition is serious, insurers will typically cover treatment because there is a defined endpoint.
A chronic condition is an illness that cannot be cured but can usually be managed with ongoing treatment. Private health insurance does not typically cover chronic conditions because they require continuous, long-term management rather than short-term treatment. Examples include diabetes, asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, COPD, Crohn's disease, and multiple sclerosis. If you have a chronic condition, the NHS is generally better equipped to provide the ongoing, long-term care you need.
Some policies may cover acute flare-ups of a chronic condition. For example, if you have asthma and need hospital treatment during a severe attack, your policy might cover that emergency stay, depending on the insurer and policy wording. However, the ongoing management of your chronic condition, such as regular check-ups, routine medication, and preventive care, will not be covered.
Being completely honest about your medical history is absolutely essential. If you fail to disclose a condition, whether intentionally or by accident, the consequences can be serious.
If you make a claim and the insurer discovers you did not disclose relevant information, they can:
It is always better to include more information than less. If you are unsure whether something is relevant, mention it. Insurers would rather have complete information than discover gaps later.
An important point to remember: disclosing conditions does not increase your premium. Pre-existing conditions affect what is covered, not what you pay.
Having a pre-existing condition does not make your health insurance more expensive. Premiums are based on factors like your age, location, and chosen cover level, not your medical history. Based on market data for 2025, typical monthly premiums are shown below.
These figures are estimates for non-smokers. Your actual quote will depend on your specific circumstances, location, and the insurer you choose.
Age: This is the biggest factor. Premiums increase as you get older because the likelihood of needing medical treatment rises.
Location: Premiums tend to be higher in cities, especially London, where private healthcare costs more.
Cover level: Basic hospital-only cover costs less than comprehensive plans that include outpatient treatment, mental health, and other extras.
Excess: Choosing a higher excess (the amount you pay towards each claim) reduces your monthly premium.
Hospital network: Policies that restrict you to certain hospitals or let the insurer guide your choice of consultant can be cheaper.
Lifestyle factors: Some insurers offer discounts for non-smokers or those with a healthy BMI. Vitality specifically rewards healthy behaviours.
Health Insurance
Specialist health insurance advisors can search across all providers to find the best cover for your specific medical history and circumstances.
While all insurers handle pre-existing conditions similarly in principle, some are known for being more accommodating than others.
The Exeter is widely regarded as the most flexible insurer when it comes to pre-existing conditions. Their Health+ policy stands out for several reasons:
The Exeter is a mutual company (owned by its members), with a Trustpilot rating of 4.6/5. They are particularly popular with older applicants or those with complex medical histories.
Freedom Health Insurance is often overlooked but worth considering if you have struggled to get cover elsewhere. They are known for taking a more personalised approach to underwriting, being more willing to consider complex medical histories, and offering straightforward policies.
Bupa is the UK's largest health insurer with around 35% market share. Key features include:
Vitality takes a different approach by rewarding healthy behaviours. Their programme offers discounts on gym memberships, fitness gear, and healthy food. Premium reductions of up to 25% are available for meeting activity targets. If you are committed to managing your health proactively, Vitality's rewards can offset the cost of insurance significantly.
WPA consistently receives the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the market. They won Best Private Medical Insurance Provider at the Moneyfacts Awards 2025 and topped the Which? survey, with a Trustpilot rating of 4.7/5.
Aviva offers a BacktoBetter service for muscle, bone, and joint pain, with good family-friendly options and various hospital list options to manage costs.
AXA has a three-year lookback for moratorium (shorter than most), good digital tools and app, and competitive pricing for younger applicants.
Diabetes is one of the most common pre-existing conditions. As a chronic condition, the ongoing management of your diabetes will not be covered by private health insurance. However, new unrelated conditions will be fully covered. Acute complications may be covered depending on your policy. The Exeter may offer cover for diabetes-related complications like retinopathy. You can still access private diagnostic tests if symptoms develop.
Asthma is classed as both a chronic condition and, if you have been treated recently, a pre-existing condition. Ongoing asthma management will not be covered, but emergency hospital stays during severe attacks may be covered. New, unrelated respiratory conditions may be covered. If you have been symptom-free for two years, moratorium exclusions may lift.
Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are treated like any other pre-existing condition. If you have had treatment in the past five years, the condition will likely be excluded initially. After two symptom-free years with moratorium underwriting, it may become covered. Many insurers now offer good mental health support as standard for new conditions.
If you have had cancer in the past, underwriting will depend on how long ago you were treated, whether you are currently in remission, and the type of cancer. New, unrelated cancers will typically be covered. The original cancer may be excluded permanently, but this varies by insurer and circumstances.
Cardiovascular issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or previous heart attacks are common pre-existing conditions. The ongoing management of these conditions will not be covered, but new unrelated conditions will be. Diagnostic tests for new symptoms are usually covered.
Back pain, joint problems, and previous injuries are frequently declared. With moratorium underwriting, these are excluded if you have sought treatment in the past five years. After two symptom-free years, the exclusion may lift. Related areas of the body may be excluded, not just the specific joint or area originally treated.
How it works
Gather your medical information
Know the names of any conditions you have or have had, when you were diagnosed, what treatment or medication you have received, and when you last had symptoms. Having this information ready speeds up the process.
Decide on your underwriting method
Think about whether moratorium or full medical underwriting suits you better based on how recent your conditions are, how serious they are, and whether you prefer certainty or flexibility.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Get quotes from multiple insurers. Use a broker to save time as they can search across all providers, explain which insurers are most flexible for your conditions, and handle negotiations on your behalf.
Complete your application honestly
Be thorough and honest when filling out medical questions. Include everything, even if you think it is minor. If you are unsure whether something is relevant, mention it and keep copies of what you have declared.
Review your policy documents
Once approved, check your list of personal medical exclusions, what is covered and what is not, how to make a claim, and the contact details for your insurer before starting your cover.
Being declined for health insurance is rare, but you might face more exclusions than expected. If this happens, there are several options to consider.
Try a different insurer: Insurers have different appetites for risk. One may exclude a condition that another will consider.
Use a specialist broker: Brokers who specialise in health insurance know which insurers are most flexible for specific conditions. They can guide you to providers more likely to offer acceptable terms.
Consider moratorium underwriting: If full medical underwriting resulted in permanent exclusions, moratorium might offer a path to cover after two symptom-free years.
Review in future: Your circumstances may change. If your condition improves or stabilises, reapplying in a year or two might yield better results.
Look at alternatives: Health cash plans are a lower-cost alternative that reimburse you for routine healthcare costs like dental and optical. They will not cover hospital treatment but may fill some gaps.
Even if your pre-existing condition is excluded, private health insurance offers significant value.
Faster access to treatment: NHS waiting lists currently exceed 7.4 million people. Private insurance means you can see specialists and get treatment within days or weeks rather than months.
Choice of consultant: You choose who treats you and where, not the NHS.
Private facilities: Treatment in private hospitals with single rooms, better food, and more flexible visiting hours.
New conditions are covered: Everything that develops after your policy starts is covered, including cancer, heart problems, joint replacements, and diagnostics.
Mental health support: Most policies include mental health cover, often with therapy and counselling.
24/7 GP access: Most insurers offer virtual GP appointments at any time, helping you get advice quickly.
Peace of mind: Knowing you can access private treatment if something new develops is valuable in itself.
Yes, pre-existing conditions do not prevent you from getting health insurance. Those specific conditions will typically be excluded from cover initially, but you will be fully covered for new, unrelated conditions that develop after your policy starts. Providers like The Exeter and Freedom are known for flexibility with medical histories.
No. Pre-existing conditions do not increase your health insurance premiums. Pricing is based on your age, location, cover level, and lifestyle factors such as smoking status. Your medical history affects what conditions are covered under your policy, not how much you pay each month.
With moratorium underwriting, if you go two consecutive years without symptoms, treatment, or medical advice for a pre-existing condition, the exclusion may lift automatically. This means the condition can become covered under your policy, though the specific terms vary between insurers.
Ongoing management of chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and arthritis is not covered by private health insurance. These require continuous long-term treatment. However, acute flare-ups or complications may be covered depending on your policy and insurer. The NHS remains available for chronic condition management alongside private cover.
Choose moratorium underwriting if you have had minor issues in the past five years and expect to remain symptom-free. Choose full medical underwriting if you want certainty about exclusions from day one or have a complex medical history that benefits from individual assessment of each condition.
The Exeter is widely considered the most flexible insurer for pre-existing conditions. Their fixed moratorium option means conditions can become covered after two years, even if you received NHS treatment. Freedom Health Insurance is worth trying if you have been declined elsewhere. Bupa offers the most comprehensive cover for new conditions.
It depends on the underwriting method. With moratorium underwriting, only the last five years are considered, so older conditions are usually covered immediately. With full medical underwriting, you disclose your entire medical history, and serious conditions from any point in your past may be excluded from cover.
Often yes. Even with multiple exclusions, you are still covered for everything new that develops after your policy starts, including cancer, heart conditions, and joint replacements. You also gain faster access to private treatment, choice of consultant, and 24/7 GP access. NHS waiting lists currently exceed 7.4 million people.
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