Bupa Health Insurance, our expert review
Bupa may be the most popular and well-known private health insurance provider in the UK, but is it the best? Our Bupa health insurance review gives you the lowdown on how its health insurance works and highlights its standout features so that you can see whether it is the right choice for you.
Chris Steele is myTribe’s trusted expert in private health insurance and healthcare, with over a decade of experience in the field. As the Founder and Editor of myTribe Insurance Experts, Chris is a Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) qualified professional with certifications in Insurance, Legal and Regulatory (IF1), Healthcare Insurance Products (IF7), and Insurance Broking Fundamentals (I10). Chris’s research and insights are regularly cited by national media, and he has contributed to leading consumer finance publications, simplifying complex topics to help consumers better understand private medical insurance. His expertise spans private health insurance, market analysis, and health insurance regulations, making him a respected voice in the UK insurance market.
Full Bio
Is Bupa the best private health insurance?
In our 2025 private medical insurance ratings, Bupa Comprehensive came out on top, scoring 98/108, and earning it a five-star myTribe rating.
Bupa’s health insurance has been very strong for a number of years, but its most recent changes, such as improvements to its no claims discount rules and the introduction of dental care for all members, have further enhanced it, enabling it to move to the top of our rankings.
Here's a quick overview of the key points of our Bupa Health Insurance Review:
- Bupa's two health insurance plans for individuals are Treatment and Care and Comprehensive. The main difference is that Treatment and Care doesn't include private diagnosis.
- You can expect to pay around a third more for Bupa Comprehensive.
- If you opt for Bupa health insurance, make sure that you understand how its combined outpatient allowance works.
- Bupa's no claims discount is particularly attractive for small claims. You can claim up to £300 per year without moving down a level.
- Bupa's mental health cover goes beyond the rest of the market and doesn't limit cover for recurring mental health conditions.
- Customer reviews of Bupa health insurance show high satisfaction levels, especially around its claim process.
Just updated: Our expert ratings of the UK’s best private health insurance providers
About Bupa
Founded in 1947, when 17 British provident associations joined forces to offer healthcare, Bupa is now one of the leading UK health insurers with around 3 million customers.
As well as providing health insurance, Bupa owns and manages care homes and dental clinics, and the Cromwell hospital in London. Bupa does not have shareholders so it can reinvest profits into its business.
Bupa offers four primary health insurance plans, two designed for individuals and families and two for businesses. In this Bupa health insurance review we will be looking purely at those aimed at individuals.
Bupa’s two health insurance policies for individuals, couples and families are Bupa By You Treatment and Care and Bupa By You Comprehensive. As you will see in this guide, there are a lot of similarities between these two products, not least in terms of the benefits they both offer. However, there are also some significant differences between its health insurance plans that you need to be aware of.
Comprehensive cover includes outpatient diagnosis, whereas with Treatment and Care you’d need to be diagnosed by the NHS or self-pay for a private diagnosis before you can claim for treatment.
The table below shows how Bupa’s two leading health insurance plans compare on cover levels and benefits.
1. Recurring mental health conditions subject to normal health insurance underwriting and pre-existing condition terms.
2. Bupa doesn’t offer guided care via its website anymore, but it’s available via health insurance brokers.
The Bupa health insurance policy you choose will affect what you pay
Another significant difference is the cost of the two health insurance policies, with Bupa’s Comprehensive plan more expensive than its Treatment and Care plan. Our pricing research shows that the average premium for Comprehensive cover is around a third higher across all the age groups we analysed. However, this research is based on having an outpatient limit, so the price difference could be even greater if you opt for unlimited outpatient cover.
Find the best health insurance for you!
Compare the UK's leading health insurance providers and get expert advice from an experienced insurance specialist.
Rated Excellent
on
Bupa By You Treatment and Care
Bupa By You Treatment and Care is aimed at individuals who are happy to be diagnosed by the NHS before they access private treatment through their health insurance. Crucially, you won’t be able to access outpatient appointments, tests or scans that you may need to diagnose your condition before any treatment through your policy. For some people who want to avoid the stress of a lengthy NHS wait for a diagnosis, this may be a deal-breaker, but for others, it may be a compromise that they are willing to make.
What this does mean, however, is that premiums are lower, which makes Treatment and Care attractive to those looking for more affordable health insurance. This could be particularly beneficial for older individuals, such as those over 50, who may find private health insurance expensive but like the ability of Treatment and Care to provide some of the benefits of health insurance while limiting the cost.
Treatment and Care includes some outpatient treatment options
It is worth noting that outpatient therapies, including mental health therapies, physiotherapy, chiropractic services and osteopathy services, are covered in full by Treatment and Care, but you must be diagnosed first. Follow-up outpatient check-ups after you’ve had treatment in hospital under your Treatment and Care health insurance policy are included for up to six months after your treatment.
Bupa By You Comprehensive
Bupa By You Comprehensive, as the name suggests, gives you access to a broader range of private medical treatment options, including diagnosis. It’s health insurance that’s aimed at people who want the peace of mind of knowing that their diagnosis and treatment can be covered without needing to rely on the NHS, and are comfortable with the higher cost that comes with this.
In terms of diagnosis, Bupa By You Comprehensive will provide outpatient appointments and tests that you may need before treatment, subject to any outpatient allowance you have selected. For scans such as MRI, CT, or PET scans, the full costs are covered.
It is also important to note that Comprehensive cover includes outpatient consultations after you have received private medical treatment, whereas Treatment and Care restricts these consultations to within 6 months of your treatment.
Outpatient cover is the primary difference between Bupa’s two health insurance plans
As we have highlighted, the key difference between the two health insurance plans offered by Bupa is around your level of outpatient cover. By opting for Comprehensive, you can have outpatient appointments, diagnostic tests and scans, all before you’re diagnosed. With Treatment and Care you’d have to go through the NHS or self-pay privately.
However, it is important to point out that while Comprehensive includes outpatient appointments, scans and tests, if you put a limit on your outpatient benefit, this could impact how many of these you can have under your health insurance plan each year.
Most differences affect what happens before your diagnosis, but there are a couple of post-treatment differences too. Namely, post-treatment outpatient consultations, tests and scans are limited to within six months of your treatment with Treatment and Care health insurance. With Comprehensive cover, these services will only be limited if you apply a cap on your outpatient allowance when you set up the policy.
Bupa may cover pre-existing conditions based on underwriting type and how long ago symptoms or treatments occurred. Moratorium underwriting excludes recent conditions but may cover those older than five years. Full medical underwriting reviews your complete medical history, but underwriters may still include some conditions.
With moratorium underwriting, Bupa's health insurance excludes recent conditions within the past five years. If the condition does not recur or need treatment for two continuous years, Bupa usually starts covering it automatically going forward.
What’s not covered by Bupa health insurance?
In addition to recent pre-existing conditions, Bupa health insurance comes with a number of standard exclusions which will apply to everyone. These general exclusions include:
-
Chronic conditions -
Health screening and routine tests
-
Accident and emergency treatment
-
Allergies or food intolerances
-
Cosmetic surgery
-
Sleep problems and disorders
-
Weight loss treatment
How much does a Bupa health insurance policy cost?
The cost of Bupa health insurance will vary depending on several factors including the cover you choose, your age and where you live. The average price of Bupa Treatment and Care for a 30-year-old is £27.65 per month, while the average premium for Bupa Comprehensive is £39.95. Our pricing research shows a cost difference of around a third between Treatment and Care and Comprehensive cover across all ages.
For a more detailed view of the cost of Bupa Health Insurance check out our guide.
Looking for affordable health insurance?
Request a free comparison quote, and we’ll connect you with an experienced health insurance specialist to help you find the best policy at the best price.
Compare Quotes
We’ve discussed how Bupa’s two products work and their differences, but you will want to know how Bupa health insurance stacks up against other providers in the market. In this section, we will focus on how they differ from other leading providers and plans. Here are some of the headline differences:
When it comes to underwriting your policy Bupa offers different options depending on whether you already have a policy with another health insurance provider that you are looking to switch or buying a new one.
Underwriting for people with no existing health insurance
There are two main options if you don’t currently have health insurance:
Moratorium underwriting
If you choose moratorium underwriting, your medical history won’t be reviewed before your Bupa health insurance cover begins. Instead, Bupa will check with your GP when you make a claim to see whether the condition that you’re claiming for is a new or pre-existing medical condition.
If you claim for a condition that you had in the five years before your policy started, it will only be covered if you’ve not had any symptoms, treatment, medication or advice related to that condition for two consecutive policy years since your policy began.
Full medical underwriting
If you opt for full medical underwriting when you apply for a health insurance policy, Bupa will ask you about your medical history and use that information to tell you which pre-existing conditions it won’t cover. When you make a claim Bupa may check that your symptoms or condition started after you took your cover out. Full medical underwriting may be preferable if you want more certainty about what your policy covers from the outset.
Underwriting for people with other health insurance companies
If you already have health insurance with another provider, there’s a couple of underwriting options that may be available to you. However, keep in mind that just because you already have health insurance doesn’t automatically mean you can use the same underwriting methods for your new provider. You may have to choose one of the new business underwriting methods instead. This can add complexity to any decisions that you need to make, so it is often wise to consult an insurance broker.
Moratorium switch
Bupa offers a moratorium switch whereby you can move an existing moratorium policy from another insurer if there is no break in your cover. In this situation, your moratorium start date simply continues from your previous policy. However, Bupa states that it may need to review your medical history and let you know if there are any conditions that aren’t covered.
Full medical underwriting switch
If you have health insurance with another insurer that is a full medical underwriting policy, it may be possible for Bupa to continue with your underwriting terms from this previous policy. Again, there must be no break in your cover and Bupa may review your medical history to inform you of any exclusions.
Useful link
Updated for 2025, our expert guide to the best private health insurance in the UK. Find out which insurers have the best reviews and cover levels.
Some groups of customers may have the opportunity to benefit from the discounts and offers that Bupa has in place when they buy Bupa health insurance:
Couples cover
Couples can save 5% on the cost of buying separate policies if they combine their cover and purchase a joint health insurance policy with Bupa. You don’t have to be married, but you must both live at the same address to qualify for the discount.
Family discounts
Bupa offers a 10% family discount when you add children or a partner and children to your health insurance. To qualify for the discount, the policy must cover one adult and at least one child, although children are not required to live at the same address as you.
Bupa also offers free cover for younger children, which means that if you add more than one child under the age of 20 years to your policy you’ll only pay for your eldest child.
Health and lifestyle discount
Bupa has introduced a 10% discount on the cost of its health insurance cover based on how you answer two optional health and lifestyle questions. To qualify, you must confirm that you have a body mass index of between 18.5 and 24.9 (considered to be a healthy weight range by the World Health Organisation and the NHS) and have not been treated for prediabetes in the last two years. You won’t be eligible for this discount if you have smoked in the last two years.
Other health insurers have similar health and lifestyle discounts, albeit based on different questions.
Doctors and dentists discount
Doctors can save 15% by providing proof of their General Medical Council registration number, while dentists can receive the same discount if they provide their General Dental Council registration number when they buy Bupa health insurance.
Health insurance insights you can trust!
We’re the UK’s trusted insurance and healthcare resource, rated ‘Excellent’ on Google Reviews.
Rated Excellent 5/5 on Google Review
Rated Excellent 5/5 on Google Review
Bupa’s Trustpilot reviews provide a useful indication of what health insurance customers think of its service.
Overall, Bupa customers seem very satisfied with the service that they have received, with Bupa rated 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot which is deemed to be “excellent.” 70% of those leaving reviews on Trustpilot gave Bupa the maximum five stars, which is even more impressive given the high number of reviews (38,731 on 1st December 2025).
Neither has there been a drop-off in the experiences of the most recent reviewers, with most people appearing to have been happy with Bupa’s customer service. Notably, many health insurance customers describe the claims process as “easy”, “quick” and “efficient”.
Example Bupa health insurance reviews from its customers:
“I was very happy with the easy process to make a claim, the very prompt response/confirmation, and quick direct payment of funds.”
“I find the Bupa online claims system is very easy to use and super fast payments too.”
“Easy to manage the claim process and very happy with the time taken for the claim to be managed.”
Where Bupa reviews are less favourable, they tend to be about the online virtual GP and cancelled appointments.
Is it worth having Bupa health insurance?
Given the enormous pressures facing the NHS and its long waiting times for treatment and diagnosis, private health insurance is worth it if you want quicker access to health care. It can also be a more convenient way of speaking to GPs and health specialists when many patients are struggling to get a doctor’s appointment.
Bupa is our top-rated private health insurance provider for 2025, so it could be a good choice if you are looking to take out cover. However, it is essential to compare all providers to find the most suitable health insurance for your own individual circumstances.
How to get more information about Bupa health insurance cover
To find out more about Bupa health insurance, what it offers, and its key features and benefits, check out its website.
You can also read more about how Bupa fared against other providers in our review of the Best private health insurance in 2025 and discover how much Bupa health insurance costs in our pricing guide.
If you are thinking about taking out private health insurance cover it is always worth speaking to an insurance broker who can talk you through your options. They can discuss your situation to see whether Bupa health insurance or a different provider fits you. For a free comparison quote and to put you in touch with an expert broker please complete our form.
What people are saying about myTribe insurance
My introduction, to the USAYcompare specialist Jovianne Beeby was excellent and very knowledgable with my Health Care quote. Extremely happy with the final BUPA new policy.
Disclaimer: This information is general and what is best for you will depend on your personal circumstances. Please speak with a financial adviser or do your own research before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bupa quicker than the NHS?
Bupa health insurance can sometimes offer quicker diagnosis and faster access to treatment, elective surgeries and specialists compared with the NHS. Its Digital GP service provides appointments within 24 hours, while you can contact Bupa directly without a GP referral if you are worried about some medical conditions.
Does Bupa health insurance cover A&E?
No, Bupa health insurance does not cover accident and emergency treatment. If you need emergency treatment you should head to your nearest NHS A&E or urgent care centre.
Can you go straight to Bupa?
Bupa health insurance allows you to speak directly to Bupa through its Direct Access service if you are concerned about cancer or mental health or have issues with your muscles, bones and joints. Bupa will check that you are covered and then tell you whether you can receive treatment without needing a GP referral. For other conditions, you will need to speak to a GP first.
What are the different types of Bupa health insurance?
Bupa provides health insurance tailored for customers ranging from individuals and families to small and large businesses. Bupa By You Comprehensive and Bupa By You Treatment and Care are aimed at individuals and families and offer slightly different benefits. For companies with less than 250 employees, Bupa has its small business health insurance which features three levels of cover (Select Key, Select Enhanced and Select Complete). Its Bupa Select corporate health insurance is designed for businesses with 250 and more employees and its Bupa Balance plan is for companies with 300 and more employees.
Is Bupa business health insurance any good?
Bupa’s business health insurance provides quality health insurance cover, with Bupa Select Complete and Bupa Select Corporate rated five stars by Defaqto. These plans are different to Bupa’s individual health insurance so if you want to buy health insurance for your business you should consider these plans separately.
Does Bupa cover start immediately?
Yes, you will be covered as soon as the start date that you agreed to on your Bupa health insurance plan commences. Remember that pre-existing medical conditions will be excluded and Bupa will review any significant claims you make in the first couple of years of your policy to ensure that they are not for pre-existing conditions.
Is Bupa part of the NHS?
Bupa is not part of the NHS. Bupa is a private healthcare provider offering services outside of the publicly funded National Health Service. While some Bupa facilities may collaborate with the NHS, it operates independently and requires separate insurance or payment for treatment.
Can you use the NHS if you have Bupa healthcare?
Yes, you can still use the NHS as normal if you have Bupa cover. Having Bupa health insurance does not restrict your access to NHS services, it’s just another way for you to receive healthcare. You can choose NHS treatment, or use your Bupa policy for private healthcare, depending on your needs and preferences.