Private Health Insurance underwriting types

posted 3rd October 2023

Posted 8 months ago

By CMHI

Knowledge Hub

Underwriting terms

Underwriting is used by the insurer to assess your medical risk before insuring you - here are your options

  • Moratorium (MORI) With this type of medical underwriting you do not need to tell the insurer about your medical history. The insurers will not cover you for any medical condition you have had treatment for, medication, advice or had symptoms of within 5 years of the policy start date. Should any condition fall into that category then it will be excluded for a minimum of 2 years. If after the start date you go 2 years without any further treatment, medication, advice or symptoms then after 2 years the condition will be covered again.
  • Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) In depth medical questionnaire whereby you will be asked to give details of medical history. In some instances, with your consent, the insurer may contact your GP requesting more information but often this is this isn't required. The insurer will tell you which medical conditions they will and won't cover you for before you take out the policy. You may have certain medical exclusions written into your policy with this underwriting method.
  • Continued Underwriting (Switch) The most popular option when switching insurers. This method of underwriting keeps the same terms in place meaning the same conditions are covered with the new provider and any exclusions will carried forward, therefore putting you in no worse position.
  • Medical History Disregarded (MHD) With MHD underwriting, there are no medical exclusions, so any previous medical conditions will still be covered, even if your employee had treatment recently. This type of underwriting is only available for business health insurance policies with over 20 employees covered.

There are many options available and we recommend that you speak to an experienced broker or advisor before taking out a policy.

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