Private Health Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Can You Get Health Insurance with Pre-Existing Conditions?

Yes, you can get private health insurance with pre-existing conditions — but there are important limitations to understand. No standard UK health insurance policy covers pre-existing conditions from day one. However, several underwriting methods exist that may bring pre-existing conditions into cover over time, and some providers are significantly more flexible than others.

What Counts as a Pre-Existing Condition?

A pre-existing condition is any medical condition, illness, or injury for which you have received treatment, advice, or experienced symptoms in a defined period before your policy starts. The definition varies by provider and underwriting method, but typically includes:

• Any condition treated by a doctor in the past 5 years
• Any condition for which you have taken medication
• Any condition for which you have had symptoms, even if undiagnosed
• Chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure

The Three Underwriting Methods

1. Moratorium Underwriting

The simplest and fastest option. No medical questions are asked upfront. Instead, a blanket rule applies: any condition for which you received treatment, advice, or experienced symptoms in the 5 years before your policy started is excluded. If you then go 2 consecutive years on the policy without symptoms or treatment for that condition, it may become covered.

Pros: Fast application, no medical forms, conditions can come into cover after 2 years.

Cons: You do not know exactly what is excluded until you claim. If a claim is related to a pre-existing condition, the insurer investigates your medical history at that point.

2. Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)

You disclose your complete medical history before the policy starts. The insurer reviews your history and specifies exactly which conditions are excluded, which may be covered with a loading (higher premium), and which are covered as standard.

Pros: Complete clarity about what is and is not covered from day one. No surprises at claim time.

Cons: Slower process (may take 2–4 weeks while the insurer reviews GP records). More conditions may be explicitly excluded than under moratorium.

3. Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME)

Used when switching from one insurer to another. Your existing exclusions carry over, but you do not face new exclusions for conditions that were covered by your previous policy. Conditions that were covered before remain covered.

Pros: Preserves your existing cover when switching providers. No penalty for shopping around.

Cons: Only available if you already have a health insurance policy.

Which Providers Are Most Flexible?

Provider	Flexibility Rating	Notes
The Exeter	Most flexible	Takes a case-by-case approach, more willing to cover or load rather than exclude. Highest customer satisfaction.
Bupa	Moderate	Standard moratorium and FMU options. Large underwriting team can handle complex cases.
Aviva	Moderate	Standard options plus very high excess (£5,000) option that can make premiums viable even with loadings.
AXA Health	Standard	Standard moratorium and FMU. Competitive pricing may offset loadings.
Vitality	Standard	Standard moratorium and FMU.

Common Pre-Existing Conditions and Their Impact

Condition	Typical Treatment by Insurers
Asthma (controlled)	Often excluded under moratorium; may be covered under FMU if well-controlled
High blood pressure (controlled)	Usually excluded under moratorium; FMU may cover with loading
Previous cancer (in remission)	Typically excluded for 5+ years; some providers consider after 10 years clear
Back pain / joint problems	Excluded under moratorium; FMU varies by severity and recency
Mental health history	Usually excluded under moratorium; FMU may cover with limits
Diabetes (Type 2, controlled)	Typically excluded under moratorium; some FMU cover with loading

What Is Still Covered?

Even with pre-existing condition exclusions, your policy covers everything else. If you have a history of back pain (excluded), you are still fully covered for cancer, cardiac conditions, new injuries, mental health (if no prior history), and any other new condition that develops after your policy starts.

This is an important point that many people miss: having pre-existing conditions does not make health insurance worthless. It means specific conditions are excluded, but you gain full private cover for everything else.

Tips for Getting the Best Cover

1. Try The Exeter first — their flexible underwriting approach means you are most likely to get favourable terms.
2. Choose FMU over moratorium — if you have known conditions, FMU gives certainty. You know exactly what is excluded before you start paying premiums.
3. Ask about loadings vs exclusions — a premium loading (paying more) to include a condition is often better than a flat exclusion.
4. Consider a higher excess — a £500–£1,000 excess can make premiums viable even with loadings for pre-existing conditions.
5. Get quotes from multiple providers — underwriting decisions vary between insurers. A condition one provider excludes, another may cover with a loading.

Related Guides

• The Exeter Review
• Do You Need Health Insurance?
• Compare Providers
• Get Quotes