If I take out private medical insurance will I need to have a medical?

There are two options when it comes to underwriting a private medical insurance plan. When applying you can either opt for full medical underwriting or moratorium underwriting, neither will require a medical screening however it is important to understand how both work and what your options are.

What is Full Medical Underwriting?

Opting for full medical underwriting at application stage you will be required to disclose your medical history, providing information about any conditions you may have suffered and any treatment that may have taken place. With this information the insurer will then decide what whether any exclusions will be placed on your plan.

What is Moratorium Underwriting?

With moratorium underwriting the health insurer will not require you to declare your medical history instead the health insurer will not provide cover for any medical condition you may have suffered from in the recent past, often the past 5 years.

Although these conditions would not be covered at point of application they can be re-included within the health plan at a later date. Pre-existing conditions can be re-included whilst covered under the plan should you go a period of time, often 2 consecutive years where you have not had symptoms, received treatment, medication, tests or advice for the condition.

If you have existing medical conditions

Should you have existing medical conditions to declare it is always worth speaking to an adviser as insurers can differ on the terms they offer and the adviser will be able to give you an indication of what is likely to be excluded from the health insurance cover.