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    United Kingdom

    Private international health insurance in the UK

    Whether you're moving to the UK as an international student, worker, or retiree, safeguard yourself and your loved ones with private health insurance.

    Our international policies provide peace of mind not just in the UK, but across 200 other countries and territories as well.

    • Get a quote in under two minutes
    • Customizable plan to meet your needs
    • 24/7 support and assistance available

    Get a quote, it takes only 2 minutes!

    Get a Free Quote
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    Why choose Cigna for global health insurance in the UK?

    Wide-ranging cover for medical expenses

    Whether you need surgery as an inpatient at a UK hospital, or to attend as a day patient, get peace of mind with cover for many charges at hospitals in the United Kingdom and across the globe.

    Direct billing makes life easier for you

    In many cases we can pay a UK hospital directly on your behalf, so you don’t have to pay money yourself and then claim it back. Direct billing to your care provider helps to make things simpler for you, so you can focus on your recovery.

    Speak to us when you need to

    Need to talk about your medical insurance in the UK or elsewhere? Our customer care team is on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your queries. You can also speak to a doctor via our app.

    Cigna Leaf

    Our health insurance plans

    At Cigna, we know people move to different countries for various reasons. So, there’s no one-size-fits-all with our health insurance options for the United Kingdom or any other country.

    Our Close Care℠ Plan provides cover in both the UK and your home country. It’s designed for inpatient and day patient treatments, with a $500,000 annual benefit limit.

    Our Global Health Options Plans are our core international medical insurance products. With these, you can choose worldwide cover, or worldwide cover excluding the USA. Access a wide range of inpatient and day patient support across hospitals in the UK and across the globe, including:

    • Treatment accommodation costs.
    • Common hospital charges, like prescribed medicines, intensive care and surgeons’ fees.
    • Cancer care and mental healthcare.

    With Global Health Options, you can choose a Silver, Gold or Platinum package to tailor your health insurance for the United Kingdom and beyond.

    Global Health Options plans

    Silver Gold Platinum

     

    Our Silver plan covers day-patient cover, including hospital stays and treatment.

    Our Gold policy package includes maternity cover, and dental treatment. This plan could be ideal for you if you’re moving with your family.

    Our most extensive insurance package, Platinum gives you and your family access to a broad range of treatments – often paid in full.
    Geographic cover

    Worldwide

    Worldwide

    Worldwide
    Overall annual benefit

    $1,000,000

    $2,000,000

    Unlimited
    Inpatient, day-patient and accommodation costs

    Private room paid in full

    Private room paid in full

    Private room paid in full
    Cancer care

    Paid in full

    Paid in full

    Paid in full
    Mental and behavioral healthcare

    Up to $5,000

    Up to $10,000

    Paid in full
    Maternity care

    Not included

    Routine inpatient maternity cover – paid in full up to $7,000

    Routine inpatient maternity cover – paid in full up to $14,000

    Close Care℠

    Our essential plan covers you in your country of residence and your home country.

    You can also add modules to extend this cover, including dental and wider outpatient care.

    Close Care℠
    Geographic cover

    Country you’re living in and home country only
    Overall annual benefit

    $500,000 (with $250,000 condition limit)
    Inpatient, day-patient and accommodation costs

    Semi-private room paid in full
    Cancer care

    Paid in full
    Mental and behavioral healthcare

    Not included
    Maternity care

    Not included
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    How does international health insurance work?

    1. Get a free quote and buy your policy

    Build a quote online or give us a call at +44 (0)1475 492119
    Choose a plan, customise your deductibles & cost shares, find a cost that meets your needs, and choose how you want to pay. Choose from monthly, quarterly and annual payments.

    2. Manage your policy with our easy app

    Manage your health and wellbeing on the go, wherever you may be.

    The Cigna Wellbeing® App gives you access to Global Telehealth consultations from anywhere in the world. Use our online customer area to access your policy documents, at any time.

    3. Get your treatment and make a claim

    Get in touch with our customer care team to make a claim.
    We’ll connect you to a medical expert within 24 hours, via global network of over 2.2 million partnerships.

    Direct billing available in most cases, as we liaise directly with your treatment provider.

    Expat Healthcare in the UK

    From London to the Scottish Lochs, there are many reasons to move to the UK. You may be studying at a respected university, taking up a role in the thriving tech sector, or retiring to the Cornish coast.

    The United Kingdom has its own public healthcare system, known as the National Health Service, or NHS. It provides free healthcare services to UK residents. This extends to some people living in the UK from overseas, though the rules differ depending on whether you’re:

    • an expat of another country now living in the UK
    • an international student studying in the UK
    • visiting the UK from abroad
    • or working in the UK.

    Public healthcare is devolved in the UK, so the rules around NHS access for people from abroad differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. With private health insurance, however, you know where you stand on day one in the United Kingdom. Not only is your UK healthcare cover guaranteed, treatment is fast, with no long waiting lists. And it’s personalized to suit your needs.
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    Additional benefits as part of your international health insurance cover

    Telehealth consultations

    We're here to assist you whenever you need help. Access unlimited phone or video consultations, along with counseling and coaching, both in the UK and internationally.

    International cover, wherever you are

    Your international coverage—whether Silver, Gold, or Platinum—provides comprehensive support no matter where you are, ensuring peace of mind wherever you go.

    Flexible plans, made for you

    Your health insurance quote is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of you and your family. Personalize it today to match your budget and guarantee complete coverage.

    Add more cover to your policy

    Once you’ve chosen from our Silver, Gold and Platinum packages, make them even more bespoke to you with additional cover.

    International Outpatient – optional cover

    Our international outpatient insurance provides access to a broad range of healthcare treatments that don’t require admission to a hospital. For example, you can get:

    • Consultations with specialists, in-person or online
    • Prescribed drugs and dressings
    • Radiology and diagnostic tests
    • Outpatient rehabilitation
    • Cover for hearing aids

    International Evacuation & Crisis Assistance PlusTM – optional cover

    This medical insurance add-on covers emergency healthcare and assistance. It could help if there’s a global crisis, or to evacuate you if local treatment can’t help. It can give you:

    • Emergency transport to good hospitals.
    • Repatriation if you experience a serious medical event
    • Crisis response services following travel or security risks
    • Help with compassionate travel and living costs
    • Travel costs for people who accompany you

    International Health & Wellbeing – optional cover

    Boost your health with insurance for screening, tests and dietetic consultations. There’s also a mental health support program for expats as well.

    • Support from wellness coaches
    • Access to preventative cancer screenings
    • Emotional support from counselors
    • Non-symptomatic, routine physical examinations each year
    • Transport to a specialist center

    International Vision & Dental – optional cover

    Get eye tests and help with the cost of eyewear, plus a wide range of preventative, and routine dental treatments:

    • Cover for dental appointments
    • Preventative, routine, and major dental treatments
    • Routine eye exams
    • Support with costs for glasses and lenses
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    Who comes to us for health insurance in the United Kingdom?

    International students

    The UK is a popular destination for international students, with its historic universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. UK government statistics show there were 679,970 overseas students at British universities in 2021/22. Many of these students will have arranged private medical insurance for the duration of their UK stay.

    Learn more about our student cover

    Mobile workers

    Another popular reason for living in the UK is work. UK government statistics show that the number of people applying for Skilled Worker – Health and Care visas rose sharply between 2022 and 2023. Many will likely have arranged private medical insurance before travelling to the UK too.

    Learn more about our professionals cover

    Retirees

    If you’re retiring to the UK, there are plenty of places to choose from. Dorset, in south-west England, and Northumberland, in the north-east, are two popular coastal options. Whether you head to the coast, to a city, or a National Park, you’ll have added peace of mind with private medical insurance.

    Learn more about our retiree cover
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    More information about healthcare in the United Kingdom

    Quick facts about healthcare in the United Kingdom

    Hospitals: Hospitals and other services are broken up regionally into ‘trusts’. In England alone there are 229 NHS trusts (NHS England)

    Healthcare ranking: 7th out of 195 countries (Global Health Security Index )

    Useful drug names: In the UK, certain drugs are categorized as prescription-only medicines (POMs), while others are over-the-counter medicines (OTC)..

    Emergency services number (while in the UK): 999

    Cigna claim number (while in the UK): +44 (0) 1475 788182

    Emergency Care

    If you’ve recently moved to the United Kingdom and fall ill or are injured in an emergency, you can access free treatment in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments at UK hospitals. Head to your nearest hospital or call 999 for an ambulance. You can also see a GP without being charged.

    To access non-emergency hospital treatment as an outpatient or inpatient, however, you must have ‘ordinarily resident’ status If you do not have ordinarily resident status, you’ll be classed as an overseas visitor and may be charged.

    You may be able to reclaim treatment costs on your private health insurance in the United Kingdom, depending on the treatment you receive and policy terms.

    Temperatures and climate

    In recent years, however, the UK has experienced more extreme weather events. Sudden heatwaves, storms, high winds and flooding are not uncommon.

    If you’re concerned about the UK climate’s potential impact on your health, sign up to receive weather warnings from the Met Office, the national meteorological service. Taking our private medical insurance could also offer added peace of mind.

    Read our full country guide to the UK

    Frequently asked questions about health insurance in the United Kingdom

    How much does health insurance cost in the UK?

    Cigna international medical insurance comes in three levels – Silver, Gold or Platinum. So, the exact cost of your insurance will depend on which you choose. Also, if you add any optional cover to your policy, your monthly premium may increase. The cost of paying monthly might also be slightly different to quarterly or annual billing.

    Is it worth having health insurance in the UK?

    Yes. If you’re travelling to the UK from another country, it is generally worth taking out private health insurance. Access to the NHS for people from abroad is dependent on the person’s individual status. In some cases, private medical insurance can complement NHS care. In others, official UK guidance considers it essential.

    Is it worth paying for private healthcare in the UK?

    Yes, if you’re in the UK from overseas permanently or for a set period, it can be worth investing in private healthcare. Whether you’re studying, working or starting your retirement, accessing NHS services can be complex and come with charges. Investing in private health insurance ensures you have peace of mind should you suffer an injury or become ill and need hospital treatment.

    What are the problems with the UK healthcare system?

    Depending on location, facilities and other factors, the resources the NHS has available may not always meet the demands of those needing them. For example, the waiting list for treatment at hospitals in England has been rising steadily over the past decade. According to UK government statistics it went from around 3.5m people to 7.8m in September 2023.

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    *Please note, this is a representation of the benefits available and does not contain the terms, conditions, and exclusions specific to each benefit. The benefits may be subject to change. Some benefits may be part of an optional module. Please see the Customer Guide for full details.

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