5 Private Medical Insurance Tips You May Find Helpful

Private medical insurance (PMI) can be a great way to get fast access to healthcare when you need it. But understanding how to get the most from your policy isn’t always easy. Whether you're managing cover for yourself, your family, your business, or exploring it for the first time, these five tips may help you navigate your options with more confidence.

In this article, we’ve outlined five practical, often overlooked tips to help you review your policy, manage costs, and unlock added value—especially if you're approaching renewal. These insights are intended as general guidance only. For advice that’s tailored to your individual circumstances, it’s best to speak with a regulated broker or your insurer.

1. Consider Setting Up PMI Through a Business (If Applicable)

This won’t apply to everyone, but if you run a small business, are self-employed, or operate as a partnership, it’s worth looking into whether you can set up your PMI through the business.

Some providers offer company plans that start with just one or two employees, and these often let you include partners and children (up to a certain age) as well. Depending on how the plan is set up, this could work out to be a more cost-effective option than arranging cover on a personal basis.

Things to keep in mind:

• If you're not a limited company, you'll likely need to show proof of active trading—like a VAT number or a business bank statement.

  
  

• The more employees you include on a company policy, the lower the cost per person often is. This can be especially helpful if you run a family business where many employees are also family members.

  
  

• Always compare personal and business quotes (if applicable), as one isn’t always cheaper than the other.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate at Renewal

   
   

This is a big one! When your PMI policy comes up for renewal, don’t just accept the first price you’re given. Whether or not you’ve made claims in the past year, it’s often worth calling your provider to ask for their best possible terms.

In some cases, brokers may be able to help negotiate on your behalf. They often have established relationships with insurers and can carry out market reviews to see how your current policy compares. It’s also worth noting that some claims may not affect your premium at the next renewal, as there is often a cut-off point, so you might still be eligible for a discount—even after making a claim.

3. Dental and Optical Cashback Benefit

This benefit often flies under the radar, but it’s worth checking whether your policy includes a dental and optical cashback module. If it does and you have it included, reviewing this module at renewal could help reduce your premium—especially on company policies, as you typically see greater savings the more members there are on the policy.

Dental and optical cashback is usually an optional add-on, and not all insurers offer it. On some policies, removing it can result in a noticeable reduction in cost. If your team isn’t using the benefit regularly, it may be worth comparing your premium with and without it at renewal.

Here’s what the benefit typically covers:

• Eye tests, and changes to prescription glasses and contact lenses

  
  

• Routine dental treatments such as crowns, fillings, check-ups, and hygienist visits

  
  

Cover limits vary by provider, but a generic structure might include up to £400 for dental and £200 for optical per person, per plan year. If few or none of your members are claiming against this benefit, it might make financial sense to remove it—especially if you're reviewing ways to manage costs without reducing core medical cover.

As always, check your policy documents to understand what’s covered and any limits that may apply. If you’d like to compare prices with and without the benefit included, ask your provider or broker to provide alternative quotes at your next renewal.

For more information on this specific benefit, you can refer to our article ‘A Guide to Claiming Money Back on Eligible Dental and Optical Treatments’, available on the blog page of our website.

4. Check for Mental Health and Cancer Cover

   
   

These could be considered two of the most important benefits to review in your policy.

Cancer Cover:

Cancer treatment can be very costly if paid for privately. While some insurers include comprehensive cancer cover in all their policies as standard, others may offer it as an optional add-on. If it’s not already included, it’s worth considering adding it at renewal—especially since the cost is often relatively low.

Mental Health Support:

Mental health support is increasingly recognised as a vital workplace benefit. This might include:

• Counselling sessions

• Talking therapies

• Access to outpatient treatments

• Access to In-patient treatments

  
  

If your current plan doesn’t include a mental health benefit, it might be worth checking how much it would cost to add one. Early intervention and support for mental health can help reduce absenteeism and improve overall wellbeing in your workplace.

5. Make the Most of GP Services and Member Portals

Most PMI policies now include access to virtual GP services, which are usually available 24/7 and come at no extra cost. These services typically allow members to:

• Book video or phone appointments quickly

• Get private prescriptions

• Receive referrals without waiting for an NHS appointment

  
  

This can be a major time-saver and a big help to employees needing fast access to care.

Additionally, certain insurers offer a member portal where users can:

• View their benefits

• Access documents

• Start and track claims

• Find contact details and policy numbers

  
  

These features are designed to improve convenience and may help employees better understand and access their cover—supporting health, wellbeing, and productivity in the workplace.

Summary

Those are five practical tips covering a range of situations, designed to help you get more value from your private medical insurance policy. While not all of these tips may apply to your specific situation, we hope you’ve taken away something useful that could benefit you in the future.

1. Explore whether setting up PMI through your business is an option—it may offer a more cost-effective solution, depending on your circumstances.

   
   

2. Consider negotiating at renewal—some providers may offer more competitive terms, which could potentially help reduce your costs.

   
   

3. If your policy includes dental and optical cashback, you could compare quotes with and without this benefit at renewal as a way to manage costs.

   
   

4. Review whether mental health and cancer cover are included in your policy. While these are often considered key benefits, they may not be included in all policies.

   
   

5. Check if your team has access to virtual GP services and member portals, and understand how these features can help you get more value from your policy.

   
   

Every policy is different, so for anything specific—like cover limits, exclusions, or what’s included—it’s best to speak directly with your insurer or a regulated broker. They can help you understand your options and make sure your policy is working for you and your team.

Disclaimers:

Disclaimer 1: The information provided in this article is accurate as of April 13, 2025. However, all details are subject to change in the future based on updates to insurer terms, market conditions, or regulatory changes. For the most up-to-date information, please contact a broker or your insurer directly.

Disclaimer 2: The information provided in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as specific advice for any individual insurer or policy. For details regarding your specific policy, always refer to your insurer’s policy documents or contact a broker or your insurer directly for personalised assistance.