Private Health Insurance: What Does Martin Lewis Think in 2026?

Private Health Insurance covers the cost of private healthcare for acute medical conditions (those that are short-term and treatable). It works alongside the NHS: you still use NHS services for emergencies and your GP, but these policies can give you faster access to specialists, diagnostic tests, and the option to be treated in a private hospital.

Deciding whether to take out Private Medical Insurance (PMI) can be tricky, and where there’s a financial decision to be made, Martin Lewis isn’t far behind.

In this guide, we’ve pulled together Martin Lewis’s key thoughts on Private Health Insurance, (along with our own specialist insights) to help you make a more informed decision. Whether you’re considering cover for the first time or reviewing an existing policy, we’re here to help you get the most suitable outcome for your needs and your budget.

Who Is Martin Lewis?

Martin Lewis is the founder of popular website MoneySavingExpert (MSE). Founded in 2003, it covers everything from bills and mortgages to savings, budgeting and insurance. He’s also a campaign journalist, TV show host, and charity founder.

Why Should I Trust Martin Lewis?

MoneySavingExpert has built its reputation over more than two decades. It’s thoroughly researched, editorially independent, and regularly updated by a team of specialists. Martin has championed major consumer campaigns: from fighting unfair energy prices to reforming student finance.

While he’s not a Private Health Insurance specialist, his guidance on these products is well-researched and consumer-focused.

Martin Lewis’s Thoughts On Private Health Insurance

Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert guide on PMI is focused squarely on cutting costs and avoiding common mistakes. Here’s what he recommends.

1. Shop Around And Compare Quotes

Martin’s first tip is to compare. Prices can vary significantly between insurers, and many people stick with the same provider for years, absorbing significant annual price rises without questioning them. Shopping around (especially if you haven’t made a claim) can reveal substantial savings.

2. Be Cautious About Switching If You’ve Made a Claim

This is one of Martin’s most important warnings. If you’ve been treated for something on your current policy, a new insurer is very likely to exclude that condition. Before switching, always weigh up whether the saving is worth losing cover for an existing condition.

Martin’s advice: if you can’t easily switch without losing valuable cover, try haggling with your existing insurer first. Use competitor quotes as leverage, or speak to an adviser who can negotiate on your behalf. Our advice is fee-free, so give us a call on 02074425880 or compare quotes to get started.

3. Adjust Your Excess To Reduce Your Premium

The excess you choose has a significant impact on your monthly premium. Opting for a higher excess (say £500 or £1,000) can reduce your premium considerably. Martin suggests thinking about this carefully: if you only want insurance for large, unexpected treatments, a high excess may make sense. If you want the policy to cover smaller diagnostics and consultations too, a lower excess is worth the extra cost.

You also need to check how the excess applies. Some insurers charge it per claim (so two claims = two excesses). Others charge it once per policy year, which is better value if you make multiple claims, though the premium is usually higher to reflect this. Provider WPA uses a different approach altogether: a percentage of each claim (25%) up to a set annual limit. Read more about Health Insurance excesses.

4. Don’t Overlook Employer Health Insurance

Many employers offer private health insurance as an employee benefit, either fully funded or at a reduced group rate. If your employer offers this, it can be significantly cheaper than an individual policy for the same level of cover. However, Martin flags an important caveat: employer-sponsored PMI doesn’t travel with you. If you leave your job and have been treated for something under the company scheme, a new personal policy may exclude those conditions.

If you depend on your Company Health Insurance for important ongoing treatment, it’s worth planning ahead and speaking to an adviser before making any employment changes.

5. Choose Your Hospital Network Carefully

Every PMI policy comes with a list of hospitals where you can receive treatment. The broader the list, the higher the premium. Martin’s advice is to check whether your local private hospitals are included, as paying for a national network isn’t worth it if you wouldn’t use most of it.

Policies with London hospital access are more expensive, reflecting higher fees in the capital. If you’re outside London and unlikely to travel there for treatment, excluding it is an easy way to reduce costs.

6. Use a Specialist Adviser For Free

Private Health Insurance involves more complexity than many other types of insurance. Different underwriting approaches, varying benefit structures, and fine print around pre-existing conditions all make it easy to choose the wrong policy.

MSE recommends using an FCA-authorised adviser to navigate this. Advisers don’t charge you for advice as they earn a commission from the insurer, and they can search the wider market to find the most suitable policy for your circumstances. This is exactly what we do. So why not give us a call on 02074425880, email help@drewberry.co.uk, or compare quotes to find out your options.

It’s a good idea to seek professional financial advice from the specialists. Our advisers understand the ins and outs of Health Insurance, working with providers every day.

Call 02074425880 or email help@drewberry.co.uk to talk through your options.

Alex Weir
Health Insurance Specialist

7. Know Your Rights If a Claim Is Rejected

If your claim is declined and you feel the decision is wrong, don’t just accept it. First, formally complain to your insurer. If you’re still not satisfied, you can refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which provides free, independent dispute resolution. The FOS can order an insurer to pay a claim if it finds the decision was unfair.

Simply raising the prospect of an ombudsman referral sometimes prompts an insurer to reconsider. If you set up your policy through us, your specialist adviser can help you through the claims process.

8. All Treatments Need Pre-Approval

MoneySavingExpert highlights this as something people miss. Before seeing a specialist or going ahead with treatment, you must get approval from your insurer. If you see a consultant who isn’t on the insurer’s approved list, or skip the pre-approval step, you may not be reimbursed, or only partially.

Always call your insurer before booking anything. This is one of those moments where having an adviser who knows the process can save a lot of frustration.

Private healthcare is best seen as something that complements the NHS rather than replaces it. Most people with private cover still rely on the NHS for emergencies, chronic conditions, and  maternity care.

Rauri Taylor
Independent Protection Specialist

How To Buy Private Health Insurance

MoneySavingExpert’s two-step approach to buying PMI is sensible, and it mirrors what we’d recommend:

Step 1: Compare Quotes

Comparison sites are useful if you broadly know what you want. They let you see prices across multiple insurers quickly. But as MSE notes, many comparison sites are “white labels” of a small number of underlying engines, so prices across them are often similar. Check at least two, and look for cashback or incentives on top.

Step 2: Use An Adviser If Your Situation Is Complex

MoneySavingExpert recommends using an adviser if you have a complex medical history, aren’t sure what level of cover you need, or want access to a wider range of options. Advisers can also give regulated advice, meaning you’re protected by the FCA if the policy turns out to be unsuitable.

This is what we do. We’re independent, not tied to any single insurer, and there’s no fee for our advice. We earn commission from the insurer (at no cost to you) and we’re regulated by the FCA. We’ll search across the leading UK health insurers to find the most suitable policy for your needs and budget.

Call us on 02074425880, email help@drewberry.co.uk, or compare quotes, and one of our specialists will be in touch.

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to insurance. The “best” Health Insurance for you won’t necessarily be the best for someone else, as it all depends on your unique situation.

That’s why it’s important to compare quotes and policies from different providers. Compare our list of leading Health Insurers.

Darren Jaynes
Head of Digital Protection

Health Insurance Vs Health Cash Plans

When it comes to private healthcare, PMI and health cash plans are often confused, but they serve quite different purposes.

Private Health Insurance is designed to cover the costs of private treatment for acute, short-term conditions. The insurer pays the private healthcare provider directly, though you may need to contribute an excess depending on your policy.

A Health Cash Plan works more like a budgeting tool for everyday health costs. You pay a set monthly premium and can claim money back (up to annual limits) towards routine expenses like dental check-ups, eye tests, physiotherapy, and optical care.

The key difference comes down to cost and coverage: PMI is generally more expensive but provides broader protection against serious medical conditions, while Health Cash Plans are typically more affordable and better suited to those wanting to offset the regular, predictable costs of staying healthy.

It’s important to note that the two aren’t mutually exclusive: some people choose to combine both for a more complete approach to healthcare cover.

Compare Private Health Insurance Policies And Get Specialist Advice

As you can see, there’s a lot to think through when it comes to Health Insurance. The right policy depends on your age, health, budget, and what you actually want the cover for. Getting it wrong, or buying the wrong level of cover, can mean paying too much – or finding out the hard way that you’re not covered for what you need.

Our team is here to help. We’re qualified, independent advisers and we support clients with private health insurance every day. We’ll take the time to understand your situation and search the market on your behalf. Give us a call on 02074425880 or email help@drewberry.co.uk, we’ll be happy to help.

Why Speak to Us?

When it comes to protecting your health, you deserve first-class service. Here’s why you should talk to us:

• There’s no fee for our service
• We’re an award-winning independent insurance broker, working with the leading UK insurers
• You’ll speak to a dedicated specialist from start to finish
• 4124 and growing independent client reviews rating us at 4.92 / 5
• Claims support when you need it most
• Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Find us on the financial services register.