Healthcare & Private Medical for Individuals: COVID-19 information & FAQs

In June, the private sector stepped down its support of the Government contract to provide all capacity to the NHS to fight COVID-19. Private elective care is now available and members are being treated, with the sector reporting treatment levels up by 65% on 2019 levels. 

Currently it is not expected that any formal contracts will be re-established between the NHS and the Private Sector. However local arrangements may be put in place dependant on specific regional requirements.

All elective care is now available and members should not delay seeking a consultation for any medical concern. Members have access to both face-to-face or remote initial consultations, with diagnostics or imaging referred in the usual way.

At the current time, given COVID-19 is a public health emergency, it's appropriate that diagnostics and treatment of COVID-19 are conducted by or at the direction of the NHS. Testing and screening is therefore not covered under private medical insurance. COVID-19 tests that are required immediately prior to surgery as part of safety measures for approved private in-patient treatment will be covered.

Cover is not available for treatment of COVID 19 at private hospitals. You will be eligible for any COVID-19 cash benefit on your policy for any inpatient treatment at NHS hospitals.

Whilst flu vaccinations are not covered under private medical insurance plans, some Employers organise annual flu vaccination programmes at additional cost. As part of its pandemic response this year the Government has introduced its most extensive free flu jab programme to vaccinate 30 million of the UK’s most vulnerable people. Such unprecedented demand has resulted in an extreme sector-wide shortage of private flu jabs. 

The terms and conditions in your policy for claims won’t be changing as a result of the NHS’s new measures, so GP referrals will still be required in most cases (apart from treatment already accessible without GP referral on your policy). The easiest way to access a GP referral is through your remote GP or you should contact the NHS. Virtual services do not require a GP referral.

You should call your private medical insurer at the earliest opportunity to confirm the new arrangements and obtain the necessary pre-authorisation.

You should again contact your treating consultant in the first instance. Additional questions or support can be provided by the remote GP services.

The majority of policies will restrict cover for pre-existing medical conditions if there is a break in cover. If you are reviewing options or thinking of cancelling cover, contact your Howden Account Manager and we will help find the best solution.

As a nation we will get through this crisis, but it is highly likely that the stress this virus will place on the NHS’s services will create a lag in their ability to get back to ‘business as usual’. At this time your ability to access private treatment will be both essential and invaluable.

We anticipate a claims upturn once restrictions are lifted and nearly all insurers have now confirmed to keep renewal pricing, fair and sustainable for customers with renewal terms on a business as usual basis. In practice, we expect therefore premiums to incur an inflationary increase which does not take account of the service disruption caused by COVID-19.