Insurance policies can be filled with words and phrases that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. As an international student, you should familiarize yourself with these insurance terms found in many private medical insurance plans in the UK.

Excess/Deductible:

The amount a policyholder must pay before the insurance company starts covering the cost of medical treatment.

Emergency room:

A department of a hospital that is designed to provide immediate care for life threatening injuries/illnesses.

Exclusions:

Medical services or treatments that are not covered under the medical insurance policy.

General Practitioner (GP):

Person who is a qualified general practitioner of medicine. As such, he or she must be acting within the scope of his/her license under UK law in which he or she practices and providing only those medical services which are within the scope of his/her license or certificate. However, it shall not include a Plan Participant, Spouse, Child, father, mother, brother, sister or other relative (even if they are a qualified practitioner of medicine).

Inpatient treatment:

A medical treatment received that requires being admitted into a hospital for overnight or longer.

Limitations:

Restrictions or conditions on coverage for certain medical treatments or services.

Medical evacuation:

Transferring the insured person to the nearest hospital or medical facility in case of an emergency injury or sickness or back to their home country.

Medical Expense Benefit:

the lifetime limit payable per injury or sickness for all consecutive terms of medical coverage.

National Health Service (NHS):

Government-funded medical and health care services that everyone living in the UK can use without being asked to pay the full cost of the service.

Day patient treatment:

A medical treatment received without being admitted to a hospital.

Policy holder:

Individual who is insured under the medical insurance plan.

Policy year:

The period of time between the start and end date for which insurance coverage is in effect as shown on the confirmation letter, up to a maximum of 12 months.

Premium:

The amount paid to the private medical insurance provider to maintain health insurance coverage.

Prescription:

Medication obtained with a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Repatriation of remains:

Transporting the remains of an insured person back to their home country.

Specialist:

A physician who specializes in a particular branch of medicine or surgery.