Guest blog by WPA Healthcare, in partnership with Caroola

WPA is an award-winning, not-for-profit health insurer provider. In this blog, they share how to choose the right health insurance, so you and your family are covered when you need it most.

1. Work out your family’s healthcare needs

Make a list of yours and your family’s healthcare requirements. Ask yourself questions like:

• Do you have young children who may need frequent GP visits?
• Are there existing health conditions requiring ongoing treatment?
• Do you want cover for maternity, dental, or mental health support?
• How important is fast access to specialists or private hospitals?

Make a list of “must-haves” vs “nice-to-haves” to help you determine what’s right for you.

2. Decide on the level of cover

Most insurers offer the following tiered options to choose from:

• Basic/Core cover: Hospital stays, surgery, some diagnostic tests.
• Mid-range cover: Adds outpatient consultations, therapies, mental health.
• Comprehensive cover: Unlimited outpatient, advanced cancer drugs, global/overseas treatment, premium hospitals.

Choose the right tier based on your budget and how much private care you want versus using the NHS (if in the UK).

3. Compare costs and excess options

An important step is to compare your costs and how much excess you’re prepared to pay.

• Monthly Premium: Varies by age, family size, and benefits.
• Excess: The amount you pay before insurance kicks in. Higher excess = lower premiums.
• Family Discounts: Some insurers offer reduced premiums for families.

 Balance affordability with peace of mind.

4. Check provider networks and hospital lists

Ask questions like:

• Does the insurer cover hospitals near your home or work? WPA covers all the hospitals in the country, but there are 19 hospitals mainly based in the centre of London which are referred to as our premium hospitals. It costs slightly extra to include these on our Complete Health policy.
• Do you want freedom to choose any consultant, or are you okay with a guided list?
• For families, proximity to children’s hospitals may be important.

Once you’ve got the answers, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision that caters to your needs.

5. Look at added benefits

Many modern health insurance plans include extras like:

• 24/7 virtual GP access
• Mental health support
• Dental and optical cash benefits
• Health screening
• Wellness rewards e.g. gym discounts and healthy lifestyle incentives

These can be particularly valuable for busy families.

6. Understand the exclusions

Common exclusions include:

• Pre-existing conditions (sometimes covered after a waiting period)
• Routine pregnancy and childbirth (unless maternity add-ons are chosen)
• Cosmetic surgery
• Long-term chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma

Always read the policy wording carefully.

7. Think about the future

Finally, don’t just think about the here and now. Consider your future and ask questions such as:

• Can the plan be upgraded later if your family’s needs change?
• Are children automatically covered up to a certain age?
• What happens if you move, change jobs, or stop contracting/self-employment?

Finally…

If you’d like to speak with a member of the WPA Healthcare team to find the right cover, you can book a consultation through MyMarketplace. They’ll help you customise your cover to suit the needs of  yourself and your family.