General & Medical was established in the 1980s by David Wildman as a finance brokerage, initially specializing in leasing medical equipment to dentists, opticians, and nursing homes in the UK. Over the years, the company evolved into a significant provider of both insured and non-insured private healthcare schemes for individuals, families, businesses, and affinity groups, both domestically and internationally. The General & Medical Group comprises several entities, including General & Medical Finance Ltd, which handles sales, marketing, and administration; General & Medical Insurance Ltd, the underwriting center based in Guernsey; and ProAmica Ltd, offering trust establishment and third-party administration services. The company maintains strong associations with Lloyd's of London and is a member of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) and the Managing General Agents Association (MGAA). Despite its growth, General & Medical remains independently owned and customer-focused, ensuring clients receive personalized service.
General & Medical Healthcare offers a range of private health insurance plans in the UK, structured into four tiers to cater to diverse healthcare needs and budgets: Essentials, Everyday, Lifestyle, and Elite.
24/7 General & Medical GP Line: Stay in the comfort of your own home whilst getting the advice you need for your medical concerns.
Lifestyle Rewards: You don’t just get a health insurance policy, we give you a huge range of additional benefits, which includes access to our Lifestyle Rewards scheme.
Health and Wellbeing: Health and Wellbeing service is designed to provide 24/7 advice and support for personal and professional issues on a wide range of subjects.
Dedicated Service: No call centre or a queuing system, instead, you’ll be assigned a named Health and Care Support Specialist, who is fully trained in medical terminology.
Rated excellent with 4.3 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot.
Achieved 5-star ratings from independent rating service Defaqto.
General & Medical Health Insurance has four different cover options to choose from, this is health insurance that can fit in with your budget.
| Essentials Plan | |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Details |
| Providing you with a vital level of cover and the benefits of private healthcare at an affordable cost. General & Medical Essentials plan gives you and your family health insurance with that all-important peace of mind. | |
| In/Day Patient treatment | Inpatient and day-patient hospital treatment only. Includes: Hospital accommodation, nursing care, surgical fees, diagnostic tests. Diagnostics including MRI, CT & PET Scans. |
| Out-patient Cover | Initial & subsequent MRI, CT, PET Scans. Consultation & specialist fees, including associated diagnostics & out-patient surgical procedures. Physiotherapy. Complementary Therapies. Mental Health Counselling/Therapy. |
| Other Benefits | NHS Cash Benefit. Life Cash Benefit. Health & Wellbeing Services. GP Advice Line. Lifestyle Rewards. |
| Optional Add-ons | Plus Upgrade: Adds cancer cover, cardiovascular care and home nursing. Increased Out-patient limts. |
| Everyday Plan | |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Details |
| Providing you with a more comprehensive level of cover, giving you that extra bit of care at an affordable price. Everyday really focuses on you and your family’s medical needs at a price to suit most budgets. | |
| In/Day Patient treatment | Inpatient and day-patient hospital treatment. Includes: Hospital accommodation, nursing care, surgical fees, diagnostic tests. Diagnostics including MRI, CT & PET Scans. |
| Out-patient Cover | Consultations with specialists. Diagnostic imaging and pathology. Pre- and post-hospital treatment care. Physiotherapy. Complementary Therapies. Mental Health Counselling/Therapy. |
| Other Benefits | NHS Cash Benefit. Life Cash Benefit. Health & Wellbeing Services. GP Advice Line. Lifestyle Rewards. |
| Optional Add-ons | Plus Upgrade: Adds in-patient cover for cardiovascular conditions. Higher cover level for treatment of cancer. Increased Out-patient limts. |
| Lifestyle Plan | |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Details |
| Designed with you and your family in mind, we’ll be there in your time of need with our wide range of benefits. Lifestyle cover gives your family our highest level of cover for any in-patient admissions, enhanced cancer treatment and out-patient benefits. | |
| In/Day Patient treatment | Inpatient and day-patient hospital treatment. Includes: Hospital accommodation, nursing care, surgical fees, diagnostic tests. Diagnostics including MRI, CT & PET Scans. |
| Out-patient Cover | Increased limits for outpatient cover such as: Consultations with specialists. Diagnostic imaging and pathology. Pre- and post-hospital treatment care. Physiotherapy. Complementary Therapies. Mental Health Counselling/Therapy. |
| Other Benefits | Contribution toward private GP fees. Wider access to preferred hospitals and consultants. Reimbursement for out-of-pocket health-related costs. NHS Cash Benefit. Life Cash Benefit. Health & Wellbeing Services. GP Advice Line. Lifestyle Rewards. |
| Optional Add-ons | Plus Upgrade: Private ambulance and home nursing. Additional cash benefits. Medical Costs and Transportation back from outside the uK for urgent medical attention. |
| Elite Plan | |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Details |
| Elite features all those important extras including dentistry, optical services and cover for boarding your beloved pets. Elite includes cover for dentistry, optical services and private GP visits, plus all of the benefits of our Essentials, Everyday and Lifestyle private healthcare covers. | |
| In/Day Patient treatment | Unlimited coverage for hospital charges and specialist fees. |
| Out-patient Cover | Cover for outpatient consultations and diagnostic tests. Mental health, physiotherapy and complimentary therapies. |
| Cancer Treatment | Full-spectrum cancer care, including: Unlimited cancer treatment cover. Private GP consultations for early diagnosis. Access to premium hospitals and consultants. |
| Additional Benefits |
Maternity benefits. Private GP services. Pescription costs. Minor GP surgery. Lifestyle rewards. |
As with most health insurers General & Medical Health 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. General & Medical offer the following excess options:
£0, £150, £250, £500, £1,000, £2,000 and £3,0000.
The excess is available per person per year if you claim and per claim for an additional reduction in your premium.
Choosing the right hospital list ensures you have access to facilities you require, General & Medical have three hospital lists:
First Choice, Freedom and Premium.
Guided Care:
Guided Care option will allow purposefully selected facilities to provide you with the same high level of treatment so General & Medical can pass these savings on to you.
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 General & Medical'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, General & Medical 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.
General & Medical 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 General & Medical 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.
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, Bupa and Vitality. 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.
At Insured Health, our customers trust us to make finding the right health insurance simple and stress-free. They consistently praise our knowledgeable, patient advisors who take the time to understand individual needs and provide clear, pressure-free guidance. Reviewers value our competitive pricing, better coverage options, and annual policy reviews that ensure lasting value. By comparing top UK providers, we deliver transparent, personalised service that gives customers confidence, peace of mind, and exceptional care.
