Insurer Spotlight: Bupa Health Insurance Review

Even if you are totally new to the world of health insurance, the chances are you have heard of Bupa.

As the UK's largest provider of private health insurance, Bupa holds the largest market share when it comes to customers.

While Bupa remains a cornerstone of private medical insurance in the UK, what truly sets them apart from the competition?

This guide will explore the unique features and benefits that Bupa offers and will introduce you to Bupa private healthcare.
We'll look at the pros and cons of taking out a policy with Bupa, helping you make the right choice regarding health insurance.

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An introduction to BUPA Health Insurance

Bupa, originally established in 1947 as the British United Provident Association, is one of the most venerable and respected names in the global health insurance sector. They operate in over 12 counties worldwide and have over 43 million individuals insured through their services. Bupa is a private company limited by guarantee. This means it has no shareholders and reinvests its profits.

Bupa provides a comprehensive range of services including traditional health insurance policies, primary care, care home coverage, health subscriptions, and pay-as-you-go schemes. Bupa stands out as the only medical insurer rated "Good" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)and their UK health insurance products have received five stars from both Defaqto and Trustpilot. This impressive recognition underscores Bupa's reputation as a leading health insurance provider in the industry.

A closer look at Bupa's offerings

Bupa Health Insurance Products

Bupa offers two main health insurance products: Bupa Comprehensive and Bupa Treatment and Care.

The Comprehensive health insurance plan provides extensive coverage, including hospital stays, outpatient costs, and full cover for mental health and therapies. This means you can receive the thorough care you need for various health concerns.

In contrast, the Treatment and Care plan is designed for those seeking essential healthcare services while keeping costs manageable. With this policy, members will use the NHS or self-fund for initial consultations and diagnostic tests or scans. Treatment and Care covers inpatient hospital treatment, cancer care, and follow-up consultations and tests, without the additional features of a more extensive policy.

Both options demonstrate Bupa's commitment to providing health insurance that caters to the health needs and budgets of individuals and families across the UK.

An overview of Bupa's two policy options

Bupa Treatment and Care

Hospital treatment is paid in full.
Cancer Cover, fully covering the cost of eligible cancer treatments. This includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and stem cell transplants.
Mental health cover - up to 28 days for each person, each year, paid in full.
MRI, CT, PET Scans after treatment. Fully covered if within 6 months of treatment.

Therapies such as physio and complementary medicine after a diagnosis of your condition are paid in full.
Outpatient appointments after treatment. Fully covered if within 6 months of treatment

Outpatient appointments before treatment.
Diagnostic tests before treatment. These are tests that a GP or specialist might recommend before you're diagnosed.
MRI, CT, PET Scans before treatment.

Anytime HealthLine.
Parent accommodation.
Private ambulance
NHS cash benefit
NHS cancer cash benefit
One free dental appointment for each member per year plus £300 allowance each towards restorative treatments. For example fillings, crowns, or bridges.

Bupa Comprehensive

Hospital treatment is paid in full.
Cancer Cover, fully covering the cost of eligible cancer treatments. This includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and stem cell transplants.

Mental health treatment. Covers up to 28 days for each person, each year.
Diagnostic tests are paid in full.
MRI, CT, PET scans are paid in full.

Consultations, diagnostic tests, therapies, complementary medicine, and mental health treatment - paid up to outpatient allowance (£500, £750, £1000 & full cover)
Face to face GP appointments. BUPA will reduce the price of an in-person GP appointment to £20, (down from £70), as many times as you want.
Therapies such as physio and complementary medicine after a diagnosis of your condition are paid in full.

Anytime HealthLine.
Parent accommodation.
Private ambulance.
NHS cash benefit.
NHS cancer cash benefit.
One free dental appointment for each member per year plus £300 allowance each towards restorative treatments. For example fillings, crowns, or bridges.

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What isn't covered Bupa Health Insurance

Like all health insurance providers, Bupa medical insurance does not provide cover for pre-existing health conditions, meaning any health issues you already have when you purchase the policy will be excluded from coverage.

However, if you have not needed medication, treatment, diagnostic tests, or advice for a pre-existing condition for two years after taking out the policy, this exclusion may be lifted.

Bupa private health insurance also excludes chronic conditions, which are defined as illnesses or injuries requiring ongoing or long-term care, such as arthritis, epilepsy, and asthma. Additionally, elective treatments are also excluded. This means you must be referred by a GP before you can claim. It's essential to obtain a referral from a GP before making a claim for any treatment.

Additional Features & Benefits

Free Cover for Children
BUPA provides complimentary health insurance for your children, as long as they share the same address, with the exception of your oldest child. This feature makes BUPA policies particularly attractive to families, as covering only your eldest can lead to substantial savings on your premiums.

Free Dental Cover
Bupa health insurance policies give you a free dental appointment per year, per member on the policy. This can be for emergencies, or standard checkups. On top of that, BUPA will put £300 towards restorative dental treatment, things like fillings, crowns, or bridges. Making sure you have good access to a dentist whilst it's harder than ever.

Private Digital GP Appointments
Get a video or audio appointment within 24 hours. Speak to a GP, advanced nurse practitioner, physios and mental health specialists when and where you like. This service is provided via Bupa Blua Health app

Bupa Rewards
BUPA members can also take advantage of various partner benefits including discounts to gyms and health clubs across the UK.

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Hospital Options with Bupa

The Essential list gives you access to 265 hospitals nationwide. As the most affordable option, essential is ideal for anyone on a budget who still wants access to high-quality private care.

BUPA Extended list gives you access to 1096 hospitals UK wide. This includes some of the major private hospital groups such as Nuffield, Spire, BMI and Ramsay. The Extended Choice is very popular among rural health insurance users.

Extended Choice with Central London gives access to 1,291 hospitals. Essentially the same as the Extended Choice list, but with extra hospitals added within the Central London area. As this option includes all of the top facilities the capital has to offer it is the most expensive.

Guided Care is available to add on to any of the hospital choices. You access treatment via an open referral from your GP and Bupa give you a choice of three specialists from their Open Referral Network. Including this option reduces the cost of you policy.

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Potential Drawbacks Of Bupa Health Insurance

Bupa private healthcare insurance, like most other providers can be expensive and therefore not suitable for some budgets.

All insurance policies have exclusions and limitations regarding you health when you join. Its important to make sure you check the policy documents carefully before committing.

In comparison to some of other insurers, Bupa are slightly worse off in terms of wellness incentives via partner benefits.

Bupa for Business

Bupa offers health insurance options for businesses as well. Companies often value having a health insurance policy because it ensures that employees who are off sick receive the best possible care and return to work as quickly as possible.

Bupa's health insurance for businesses includes options for micro businesses, which typically have one or two employees and are often family-run; small businesses, which can cover up to 250 employees; and corporate insurance, designed for larger companies looking to insure a substantial number of employees.

If you would like more information on business health insurance as a whole, we have an overview page.

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BUPA Health Insurance Review

BUPA Health Insurance Review