What is joint health insurance?
Joint health insurance, often referred to as couples health insurance or joint private health insurance, provides a comprehensive healthcare solution tailored for couples. In a joint health insurance policy, both partners are covered under a single plan, offering shared access to a range of private healthcare services and facilities. This type of insurance is designed to ensure that both individuals have prompt access to expert medical treatment and care whenever needed.
Here in the UK, we benefit from a comprehensive National Health Service that offers complete cover for any illnesses or injuries you might have. However, when it comes to receiving treatment on the NHS, because of the huge demand, you may often find yourself low down on the NHS waiting list.
One of the key benefits of private medical insurance is being able to bypass waiting lists or the potential lack of a hospital bed and get treatment quickly. Not only this, but you can often choose the private hospital where you get treated and healthcare professionals who treat you, whether you need inpatient treatment, outpatient cover or even cancer care.
A joint health insurance policy allows both you and your partner to benefit from this kind of coverage and private medical care should either of you fall ill or have a health concern.
What are the benefits of taking out a joint health insurance policy?
Opting for joint private health insurance in the UK can offer peace of mind, ensuring that both you and your partner have access to faster and expert treatment should either of you face health issues or require medical attention.
Administrative convenience – The primary advantage of a joint policy, as opposed to two separate individual policies, often lies in its administrative convenience. While the cost difference between joint private health insurance and two separate policies may not be significant, the streamlined process can bring considerable ease, particularly for couples who share a joint bank account.
Collaborative decision-making – With a joint policy, decisions regarding coverage, renewals, and claims can be made collaboratively, ensuring that both partners are involved in managing their insurance arrangements.
Shared access to care – Joint private health insurance gives both partners shared access to private hospitals and healthcare facilities. In case of medical emergencies or the need for specialised treatment, having access to the same health insurance can facilitate smooth coordination of care between partners. This can be particularly beneficial if both individuals prefer the amenities and personalised care offered by private healthcare providers.
Flexibility and customisation – Joint health insurance policies often offer added flexibility and options for customisation tailored to the UK healthcare system. Couples can adjust their coverage to suit their specific healthcare needs and preferences, whether it involves adding additional services like dental or mental health care, or modifying the level of coverage based on individual health requirements.
Psychological reassurance – There's also a psychological benefit to joint private health insurance. Knowing that both partners are covered under the same policy can foster a sense of solidarity and shared responsibility for each other's well-being. This mutual support can be reassuring, particularly during times of health-related challenges or uncertainties.
Why compare couples health insurance policies
The cost and level of cover for joint health insurance varies significantly between providers, so it's worth comparing quotes rather than accepting the first one you're offered. Comparing lets you weigh up what matters most to you and your partner, whether that's a lower excess, broader mental health support, or access to a wider choice of hospitals.
For example, one couple might prioritise fast access to cancer care, while another is more focused on keeping monthly costs down with a higher excess. Comparing quotes side by side helps you find cover that reflects what you both actually need, rather than paying for extras neither of you will use.
Types of joint health insurance cover
Private medical insurance comes in various different shapes and sizes, with a range of costs to match - it all depends on what level of cover you wish to receive.
Typically, private medical insurance policies will cover you for things like inpatient tests and any treatment or surgery you receive as an inpatient or day patient. Some plans will also offer to cover you for any tests or treatments (like physiotherapy) you may receive as an outpatient.
You can also take out a more simple cash policy, which will pay out small amounts to cover less serious, more routine healthcare, like visits to the dentist for example.
The level of cover you receive will be reflected in the price of the monthly premiums that you end up paying for your policy.
What could a joint health insurance policy cover?
A joint health insurance policy typically covers the cost of diagnosing and treating new, short-term ('acute') medical conditions that develop after your policy starts. Most comprehensive policies for couples will include:
Private consultations with specialists
Diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, MRI and CT scans
Inpatient and day-patient treatment, including surgery, hospital accommodation and nursing care
Cancer care, from diagnosis through to treatment
Many providers also let you add extras to a joint policy, such as outpatient cover, mental health support, physiotherapy and dental care, though the exact extras available will vary by insurer.
As with any private medical insurance policy, there are things a joint policy generally won't cover, such as pre-existing conditions (see below), routine pregnancy and childbirth, and cosmetic surgery. It's worth checking the policy documents carefully before you commit, so you and your partner both know exactly where you stand.
Who's eligible for joint health insurance?
To take out a joint health insurance policy, you and your partner will usually need to be living together at the same address. You don't need to be married - couples in a civil partnership, or those simply living together, are typically just as eligible as married couples.
If you and your partner later separate, or one of you moves out, you may need to update or replace the policy - see 'What happens if we separate?' below.
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Joint health insurance policy cost
The cost of the joint health insurance policy will depend on the level of coverage you require, the health status of both you and your partner as well as your lifestyle habits. If either of you smokes, for example, the policy will be more costly than otherwise. Your age when you take out the policy will also affect the price of your cover - the older you are, the more it will cost.
Generally, with a joint policy, both of you will be assessed independently and then the cost will be combined into one monthly premium.
When you take out a private medical insurance plan, you'll pay a regular monthly premium, and then in the event that you make a claim, you'll pay a set amount of excess towards your treatment, with the insurance company footing the rest of the bill.
The higher the level of voluntary excess you choose, the cheaper your monthly premiums will be.
Is a joint policy actually cheaper than two single policies?
Couples health insurance is not always cheaper than two separate policies, so couples should compare costs rather than assume a joint policy will save them money. Whether a joint policy costs less than two single ones depends on the circumstances of both partners.
Couples who are a similar age, in similar health, and who don't smoke will sometimes find that a joint policy works out more cost-effective than buying separately. Couples with a bigger gap in age or health between partners may find that two single policies, each tailored to the individual, work out cheaper overall.
Comparing quotes for a joint policy against two single policies is the only reliable way for couples to know which option is cheaper for them.
Ways to reduce the cost of your joint policy
There are a few ways you and your partner might be able to lower the cost of a joint health insurance policy:
Increase your excess. Agreeing to pay more towards the cost of treatment yourselves before the insurer contributes can lower your monthly premium, as long as you're confident you could afford the excess if you needed to claim.
Choose a more limited hospital network. Some insurers offer a discount if you agree to be treated at a smaller list of hospitals, rather than anywhere in the UK.
Look after your health. Many insurers offer lower premiums, or added perks, to non-smokers and those who can show they exercise regularly.
Compare basic and comprehensive cover. If you don't need extras like outpatient treatment or dental cover, a more basic policy could bring the cost down for you both.
What increases the cost of a joint health insurance policy
Just as some choices can bring your premium down, others will push it up. These generally include:
Age. The older you and your partner are, the more likely a claim becomes statistically, so premiums tend to rise with age.
Smoking or vaping. Current or recent smokers usually pay more, reflecting the higher associated health risks.
A wide hospital network. Choosing unrestricted access to hospitals across the UK, including in more expensive areas such as London, typically costs more than a limited network.
Comprehensive cover. Adding extras such as outpatient treatment, mental health support or dental cover will increase your premium compared with a basic policy.
How does making a claim work?
Making a claim on a joint policy works the same way as it would on an individual one - it's simply that either partner can claim under the same policy.
1. See your GP first. If either of you develops a health concern, visit your GP, who can refer you for private treatment if appropriate.
2. Contact your insurer. Let them know you'd like to make a claim, and they'll confirm whether your condition is covered under your policy.
3. Get treated. Once your claim is approved, you can book in with a specialist or hospital from your insurer's approved list, usually paying any agreed excess along the way.
For more information you can read our guide on how to claim against private medical insurance.
What about pre-existing conditions?
Pre-existing conditions and your medical history can be important considerations when it comes to private joint health insurance coverage. Here's how pre-existing conditions may factor into joint health insurance policies:
Coverage for pre-existing conditions: Some joint health insurance policies may offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, depending on the insurer and the specific policy terms. In some cases, coverage for pre-existing conditions may be included automatically, while in others, it may be offered as an optional add-on or subject to certain conditions and waiting periods.
Exclusions for pre-existing conditions: It's important to review the policy documents carefully to understand any exclusions related to pre-existing conditions. Some joint health insurance policies may exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions altogether, meaning that any treatment or services related to those conditions would not be covered under the policy.
Waiting periods: In cases where coverage for pre-existing conditions is provided, there may be waiting periods before the coverage becomes effective. During this waiting period, expenses related to pre-existing conditions may not be covered by the policy. Waiting periods can vary depending on the insurer and the specific policy terms.
Disclosure of pre-existing conditions: It's important for couples to disclose any pre-existing conditions honestly and accurately when applying for joint health insurance cover. Failing to disclose pre-existing conditions could result in coverage being denied or claims being rejected later on.
What happens if we separate?
If you and your partner separate, you'll usually need to make a decision about your joint policy, since it's designed for two people living at the same address.
Depending on your insurer, your options may include splitting the joint policy into two individual ones, or one partner keeping the existing policy while the other takes out new cover elsewhere. It's worth contacting your insurer as soon as your circumstances change, so your cover stays accurate and any medical history or waiting periods you've already built up aren't lost unnecessarily.
Frequently asked questions
Can unmarried couples get joint health insurance?
Yes. You don't need to be married to take out a joint policy - most insurers only require that you and your partner live together at the same address.
Is couples therapy covered by a joint health insurance policy?
Generally, no. Couples therapy is usually classed as a group treatment, which most private health insurance policies don't cover, even under a joint plan. Individual mental health support for each partner may still be included, depending on your policy.
What happens to a joint policy if we separate?
You'll usually need to update your cover, since joint policies are designed for couples living together. Depending on your insurer, this might mean splitting into two individual policies, or one partner keeping the existing plan while the other arranges new cover.
Will my partner's pre-existing condition affect my premium?
It can. Because you're covered under one combined premium, a pre-existing condition, smoking, or a larger age gap between you and your partner may increase the overall cost, even if you're both individually low risk.
Will we need a medical check-up before taking out joint cover?
Not usually. Most insurers won't ask for a medical examination, but you and your partner will both need to answer questions honestly about your health, lifestyle and medical history when you apply.
Is dental treatment covered under a joint health insurance policy?
Routine dental care isn't usually included as standard, though some more comprehensive policies offer it as an add-on, or cover dental treatment carried out as part of a hospital stay.
Can we take out joint health insurance if one of us is currently pregnant?
You can generally still take out a joint policy during pregnancy, but routine pregnancy and childbirth costs aren't typically covered. Some complications may be covered depending on the policy, so it's worth checking the specific terms with your insurer.
Is there a 'first to die' version of couples' health insurance?
No - that's actually a type of joint life insurance, not health insurance. It pays out a lump sum when the first partner in a couple passes away, to help with costs like a mortgage or funeral, rather than covering medical treatment.