As an FCA-authorised expert with over 750,000 policies arranged, WeCovr understands the UK private medical insurance market inside out. This comprehensive review delves into April International's UK health insurance offerings for 2025, helping you decide if their cover is the right choice for your health and peace of mind.
Navigating the world of private health cover can feel complex, but it doesn't have to be. This guide will break down everything you need to know about April's policies, from their core benefits to optional extras, and how they stack up against other major players in the UK.
April International is a major global insurance group with a presence in dozens of countries. While they are renowned worldwide for providing health insurance to expatriates and international students, their UK domestic offering is a significant and growing part of their portfolio.
Established with a focus on client-centric solutions, April brings a global perspective to the UK private health insurance market. Their approach is often characterised by:
In the UK, April partners with established networks of private hospitals and specialists, ensuring their members have access to high-quality care across the country.
Before we dive into the specifics of April's plans, it's vital to understand a fundamental principle of all standard private medical insurance in the UK. This is perhaps the most important takeaway for anyone considering PMI.
UK private health insurance is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after your policy has started.
What does this mean in practice?
PMI is not a replacement for the NHS; it's a complementary service designed to give you faster access to eligible treatment for new, acute conditions. This helps you bypass NHS waiting lists and receive care in a private setting.
April's UK health insurance is built around a core level of cover, with the option to add extra benefits to create a more comprehensive plan. This modular design gives you control over your policy and your premiums.
Every April UK policy is built on a strong foundation of core cover. This essential protection typically includes all the "big ticket" items that are most costly.
What's Included in April's Core Cover?
Feature | Description |
---|---|
In-patient & Day-patient Treatment | Covers all hospital fees, specialist charges, and diagnostic tests when you are admitted to a hospital bed, either overnight (in-patient) or for the day (day-patient). This is the cornerstone of any PMI policy. |
Comprehensive Cancer Cover | This is a standout feature. It usually covers the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. It often includes access to specialist cancer centres and drugs not yet available on the NHS. |
NHS Cash Benefit | If you choose to receive eligible in-patient treatment on the NHS instead of privately, you receive a cash payment for each night spent in an NHS hospital. This acknowledges you're not using your private cover, saving the insurer money. |
Private Ambulance | Covers the cost of a private ambulance if it's medically necessary to transport you to a private hospital for treatment. |
Parent Accommodation | If your child (under 18) is receiving eligible treatment, this covers the cost of one parent staying in the hospital with them. |
This is where you can customise your April health insurance plan. By selecting optional extras, you can enhance your cover to match your personal health priorities and budget.
This is the most popular add-on. It covers diagnostic tests and consultations with a specialist that do not require a hospital admission.
This add-on covers treatment from recognised practitioners for conditions like musculoskeletal issues. It usually includes:
This is a valuable addition for active individuals or those with physically demanding jobs. It typically requires a GP referral.
Awareness of mental wellbeing has never been higher, and this is reflected in modern PMI policies. An optional mental health pathway can provide cover for:
Given the long waiting times for mental health support on the NHS, this is an increasingly sought-after benefit.
This option provides a cash-back benefit towards routine dental check-ups, treatments, and the cost of prescription eyewear. It's designed to help with everyday health costs rather than major surgery.
The UK private health insurance market is competitive, with several excellent providers. Choosing the best PMI provider depends entirely on your individual circumstances. Here's a general comparison to give you a sense of the landscape.
Feature | April International UK | Bupa | AXA Health | Vitality |
---|---|---|---|---|
Core Focus | Flexible, clear policies with international expertise. | Long-established, extensive hospital network, trusted brand. | Strong all-round cover, excellent digital tools. | Unique wellness programme rewarding healthy living. |
Hospital List | Offers a curated list of UK private hospitals. May have different tiers to control cost. | One of the most extensive networks, including their own Cromwell Hospital. | A wide choice of hospitals, with options to guide your choice for lower premiums. | Comprehensive network, with incentives to use specific "Consultant Select" partners. |
Cancer Cover | Comprehensive as standard, covering diagnostics and treatment. | A core strength, with extensive support and access to breakthrough drugs. | Highly rated cancer cover, often with dedicated nursing support. | Full cover as standard, with advanced screening and care options. |
Unique Selling Point | Simplicity, flexibility, and potential benefits for those who travel. | Brand recognition and a fully integrated healthcare approach. | Excellent member app and digital GP service ("Doctor at Hand"). | The Vitality Programme: earn points and get rewards for being active. |
Best For | Individuals and families wanting straightforward, customisable cover. | Those prioritising brand trust and the widest possible network. | Tech-savvy users who want seamless digital healthcare access. | People motivated by rewards to stay healthy and active. |
Important Note: This table is a simplified overview. The "best" provider is subjective. The only way to get a true comparison is to speak with an expert PMI broker like WeCovr. We can compare the fine print of each policy against your specific needs at no cost to you.
Based on their typical product structure, April's private health cover is well-suited to several types of UK clients.
No two private medical insurance premiums are the same. Insurers use several key factors to calculate the cost of your policy. Understanding these can help you see how you can influence the price.
The table below provides an estimated monthly cost for a non-smoker with a £250 excess, including £1,000 of out-patient cover. These are for illustrative purposes only.
Age | Location: Manchester | Location: Reading | Location: Central London |
---|---|---|---|
30-year-old | £45 - £60 | £50 - £65 | £70 - £90 |
45-year-old | £70 - £95 | £80 - £105 | £100 - £130 |
60-year-old | £120 - £160 | £140 - £180 | £180 - £240 |
Source: WeCovr internal market analysis, 2025. These are indicative figures and not a formal quote.
When you apply for a policy, the insurer needs to know about your medical history to determine what they will and won't cover. This process is called underwriting. There are two main types:
Moratorium (MORI) Underwriting: This is the most common method in the UK. It's quick and doesn't require you to fill out a medical questionnaire. Instead, the policy automatically excludes any condition for which you have had symptoms, medication, or advice in the 5 years prior to joining. However, if you then go 2 full, continuous years on the policy without any symptoms or treatment for that condition, it may become eligible for cover.
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): This involves completing a detailed health questionnaire. You must declare your full medical history. The insurer then reviews this and will state explicitly in your policy documents what is excluded from cover. The key benefit of FMU is certainty – you know from day one precisely what is and isn't covered.
The best option depends on your personal circumstances. A WeCovr advisor can explain the pros and cons of each and help you decide which is right for you.
The best private medical insurance providers in 2025 offer more than just a promise to pay for treatment. They provide tools and resources to help you stay healthy in the first place. While April offers valuable benefits like digital GP access, securing your policy through WeCovr unlocks even more value.
All our clients who purchase a private health or life insurance policy receive:
These benefits, combined with our expert, impartial advice, ensure you get the maximum possible value from your health insurance journey.
Your PMI policy is there for when things go wrong, but prevention is always better than cure. Here are some simple, evidence-backed tips to boost your wellbeing:
You can go directly to an insurer, but using an independent, FCA-authorised broker like WeCovr offers significant advantages at no extra cost to you. Our service is paid for by the insurer, so you get expert advice for free.
Here’s why thousands of UK customers trust us:
Choosing the right private medical insurance is one of the most important decisions you can make for your health. April International UK offers a compelling, flexible, and clear option in a competitive market.
Let WeCovr make the process simple. Our expert advisors will provide a free, no-obligation comparison of April's plans alongside quotes from all other leading UK providers. We'll help you find the perfect cover at the best possible price.
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