AXA Health Insurance UK is a prominent provider of private medical insurance, offering a range of health coverage options
tailored to individuals, families, and businesses. As part of the global AXA Group, one of the world’s leading insurance
and asset management companies. AXA provides policyholders with swift access to medical consultations, treatments, and procedures, often bypassing long NHS waiting times.
AXA Health emphasizes access to quality care, digital health services, and preventative support.
Their policies often include fast-track access to specialists, mental health support, cancer care, and a 24/7 health helpline.
AXA Health also offers wellness programs and digital tools to help members manage their health proactively. With a focus on flexible
plans and customer service, AXA Health aims to empower people to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
AXA is a global insurance and financial services company headquartered in Paris, with a history dating back to 1816. The AXA brand was officially established in 1985 under the leadership of Claude Bébéar, who transformed a small French mutual insurer into a worldwide powerhouse. Through strategic mergers and acquisitions most notably the 1996 merger with UAP and the 2018 acquisition of XL Group AXA expanded its reach across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond. Today, AXA operates in over 50 countries, serving millions of clients with services spanning health, life, property & casualty insurance, and asset management. Known for its focus on innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability, AXA has become a leading force in the global insurance industry.
AXA Health Insurance UK offers flexible and comprehensive private medical cover tailored to individuals and families, with a strong emphasis on fast access to diagnosis and treatment. Key benefits include 24/7 virtual GP services, extensive mental health support, and robust cancer and heart care pathways. Policies are customisable, allowing members to add options like outpatient care, dental and optical cover, and wellness perks. While premiums can be high depending on coverage levels, AXA is praised for its reliable service, quick claims process, and quality care options, making it a strong choice for those seeking efficient and modern healthcare solutions.
Doctor @ Hand: Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, wherever and whenever you need it. From a choice of appointments for advice, prescriptions or eligible referrals, AXA Doctor at Hand takes care of things seamlessly.
Second Medical Opinion: Anytime you’d like to double check a diagnosis or recommended course of treatment, wherever you are in the world.
Mental Health: Mental health care option gives you access to private healthcare with no yearly limit on fees for psychiatric treatment.
Member offers: Discounts on gym memberships, health assesments and fitness tracking tools as an AXA Health member.
AXA Personal Health rated 5 star by independent rating service Defaqto.
Customer Care Solution of the Year at Insurance Times’ Claims Excellence Awards 2021.
AXA achieved a five-star service rating from Health and Protection magazine.
Cover Excellence Awards 2023 finalist for Outstanding Mental Health and Wellbeing offering.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| In-patient treatment | Full cover for surgery, diagnostic tests, and specialist care when admitted to a private hospital. Includes hospital accommodation, nursing, operating theatre fees, and drugs needed for treatment. Specialist Consultations covered during in-patient or day-patient stays. Includes fees for surgeons, anaesthetists, and physicians. AXA Personal Health Includes MRI, CT, and PET scans when referred by a specialist. |
| Out-patient treatment | AXA allows members to choose between different levels of outpatient cover, such as: Full Out-Patient Cover: Unlimited outpatient consultations and diagnostics within AXA’s network. Standard Out-Patient Cover: 3 consultations & Full diagnostic tests. Additional Options for Therapies and Mental Health. |
| Cancer cover | Comprehensive cancer cover including diagnosis, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and access to licensed cancer drugs (even if not available on the NHS). Dedicated cancer care case management and support. |
| Doctor @ Hand | Access to AXA's Doctor @ Hand, 24/7 online GP service provided in partnership with Doctor Care Anywhere, designed to give AXA Health members fast, convenient access to healthcare—anytime, anywhere. |
| Additional Benefits | AXA Health policies offers a range of additional benefits and options: Protected No-claims discount. NHS cash benefit. NHS cancer cash benefit. Home treatment for certain eligible treatments. Private ambulance. Parent accommodation. Dental & Optical. European or Worldwide Travel Cover. |
As with most health insurers AXA have three options you can choose from for how your policy is underwritten:
Moratorium: No requirement for detailed medical history upfront, a moratorium period of two years is in place for any condition for which you have experienced symptoms or received treatment for in the last five years.
Full medical underwriting: Full medical underwriting means you disclose your full medical history when applying, allowing the insurer to assess and confirm which conditions are covered or excluded from the start.
Continued medical exclusions (Switch): You will need to answer a few questions regarding your medical history in the last five years and some questions on specific health conditions. The underwriting will transfer from your previous insurer rather than being re-underwritten. This option is only available to those with an existing health insurance policy with another insurer.
For more definitions of terms, please see our glossary.
An excess is the amount you will pay towards a claim, the higher the excess you choose the lower the premium will be. AXA offer the following excess options:
£0, £100, £150, £200, £250, £500, £1000, £2000 and £5000.
The excess is per person per year if you claim and not per claim, so multiple claims can be made without paying the excess again.
Choosing the right hospital list ensures you have access to facilities you require, AXA have three hospital lists:
Personal Health, Health For You and Inspire Health Plan.
Guided Care:
With Guided Care, members need an ‘open referral’ from a GP, specifying the consultant type, not a name. AXA then offers a choice typically three suitable consultants to book when you're ready.
Health insurance does not cover accident and emergency situations. Most leading health insurers do not cover treatment overseas, self-inflicted injury and professional sports related injuries are also not covered on a health insurance policy.
As with most health insurers AXA's exclusions are very standard, they do not routinely cover:
Allergies, allergic disorders or food intolerances.
Birth control, conception, sexual problems and gender reassignment.
Chronic Conditions.
Contamination, wars, riots and some terrorist acts.
Cosmetic Surgery.
Fertility treatment and infertility.
Pre-existing conditions.
Pregnancy and childbirth.
Navigating health insurance especially understanding what’s covered can be complex, but our expert advisors are here to guide you in choosing the right policy and underwriting option for your needs.
Like all health insurance providers, AXA considers a range of factors when calculating the cost of your private health
cover—some of which you can influence, and others that are fixed.
AXA offers a customisable health insurance policy that you can tailor to suit your individual needs and budget. By adjusting options such as out-patient
cover levels, hospital lists, and the excess amount, you can manage the scope of your coverage and influence the cost of your premium.
In addition to your policy choice, here are several key factors AXA takes into account when generating your quote:
Age: Age is one of the most significant factors—the older you are, the higher your premium tends to be. Taking out insurance early is a smart way to control future costs.
Who's covered: Including family members on your policy will result in higher premiums. Insurers do offer varying discounts for couples and familys.
Location: Where you live can impact pricing. Health insurance tends to be more expensive in London and the South East, where private treatment costs are typically higher.
Level of Cover: Comprehensive cover (e.g., private diagnosis and treatment) costs more than basic or treatment-only options. Extras like mental health cover, dental, and optical benefits increase the overall premium.
Excess Level: The higher the excess (the amount you agree to pay toward a claim), the lower your monthly premium will be. Choosing a high excess can reduce upfront costs.
Lifestyle and BMI: Most insurers now offer discounts based upon health and lifestyle. Your body mass index (BMI), fitness level, health conditions, and other lifestyle choices can affect your premium.
Smoking Status: Nearly all insurers charge higher premiums to smokers, reflecting the greater risk of illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory conditions.
Hospital and Consultant Access: Choosing a wider hospital network or the ability to select any consultant usually costs more. Guided care or restricted networks lower costs by limiting provider options.
No-Claims Discount: AXA policies have a no-claims discount that increases each claim-free year. Claims on your policy could negatively impact your renewal price.
Understanding the key factors that affect your premium can help you take control of your health insurance costs. At Insured Health, we’re committed to supporting you throughout the life of your policy—helping you preserve the valuable benefits of private healthcare. We offer some the most competitive prices on the market, guaranteed not to be beaten elsewhere. Ready to take the next step? Get your personalised quote today.
What are the benefits of health insurance?
The main benefit of health insurance is that it gives you access to private healthcare. You can often bypass long NHS waiting times and receive prompt diagnosis and treatment getting you back to health sooner.
How does private health insurance work?
You’ll usually pay monthly or yearly for your cover. Then, if you become unwell or are injured, you can make a claim. Your insurer will then pay some or all of the cost of any private healthcare that you need.
How do you make a claim on health insurance?
Most insurers require a GP referral before you access private treatment. Some offer online GP appointments or allow direct access to specialists through a triage process. In most cases, you’ll need authorisation before seeing a specialist. The insurer usually pays the provider directly, though you may cover any excess or costs beyond your policy limits.
Will my premium increase every year?
Premiums can rise annually due to age and inflation in medical costs. Making a claim on your policy can impact your premium. If you've noticed an increase, speak to one of our advisers today.
I have medical history can I get cover?
Yes, you can still get health insurance if you have a medical history, but it may affect what’s covered. Some conditions you’ve had treatment or symptoms for may not be included right away. Depending on the policy, these conditions could be covered later if you don’t need any treatment for them. Speak to one of our advisers who can help find the right policy for your needs.
How much does private health insurance cost?
Costs vary based on factors such as your age, health, location, level of cover, and excess amount. Policies can range from under £30 per month to several hundred, depending on these variables. For an accurate price speak to one of our advisers today.
At Insured Health, we help you compare prices and cover from top UK health insurance providers like Aviva, AXA, and Bupa. Our service is completely free, and we remain fully independent and impartial to ensure you get the best advice for your needs.
Our expert, approachable advisers are here to guide you through every step with ease. They’ll take the time to understand your personal needs, compare prices and policies on your behalf, and provide clear, honest advice to help you find the best and most affordable cover.
Whether you're exploring health insurance options or already have cover and want to ensure you're getting the best deal, Insured Health is a trusted health insurance broker
We offer the most competitive prices available from insurers, you will not get a cheaper price for health insurance elsewhere.
Our service is entirely free, and we pride ourselves on being independent and impartial.
Based in Sheffield, our team of expert advisers is just a call or click away, ready to guide you through the process with ease.
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