Why buy health insurance for cancer?

If you have suspected cancer, a private medical policy can help you to see a cancer specialist quickly, helping you to receive the diagnosis or to put your mind at rest with an all-clear diagnosis as quickly as possible. If required, your eligible treatment can then start sooner because you have received that diagnosis quickly.

When buying a health insurance policy, you can choose to have access to and use specialist cancer centres such as The Royal Marsden in London which is Europe’s largest comprehensive cancer centre in the world and rated as one of the leading cancer centres in the world*. Instead of being restricted to your local NHS hospital. When you speak to one of our Healthcare Consultants, let them know you would like access to this, and we will base our recommendations on your personal requirements.

What if I have had Cancer in the past?

Pre-existing cancer does not stop you from being able to buy a Private Medical Insurance policy. You can still buy a plan, but you may find that there is an exclusion for the type of cancer you have had before along with any secondary cancers that may develop as a result. The insurers may be able to offer cover for your pre-existing cancer if you are able to meet a trouble-free period or offer you cover you for new unrelated primary cancers.

Health Insurance is not designed to cover pre-existing medical conditions, however, depending on the type of cancer you have had before and how long ago you had it, we will recommend the best policy for you and your situation.

What if I have a family history of cancer?

Health Insurance does not consider the risk factors of your family history, meaning that the premium will not increase, and the exclusions will not be applied. It only looks at your personal medical history. So, once you are insured, new eligible cancers will be covered from Day 1 of your policy.

Risk factors such as smoking status and lifestyle could affect your premium, but the good news is they do not affect the underwriting, meaning if you personally do not have a history of cancer and are a smoker there will be no added exclusions for cancer on your plan.