How to Read a Private Health Insurance Policy Schedule

A policy schedule summarises the cover arranged for you. Read it alongside the full policy wording, benefit guide and any underwriting decision; the schedule alone may not explain every exclusion or claim condition.

Check the personal details and cover

Confirm the policyholder and everyone insured, start and renewal dates, plan or cover level, excess, hospital list and any selected add-ons. Check whether outpatient, mental-health, dental or optical benefits are included or limited.

Compare it with the policy wording

Look for exclusions, referral and pre-authorisation rules, annual or per-treatment limits, and the process for changing or renewing cover. Make sure any medical-history decisions or special terms are recorded correctly.

Keep the documents accessible

Save the schedule and policy version that applied when cover began. If the insurer changes the cover at renewal, compare the new documents with the previous year.

Which document decides a claim?

The insurer applies the relevant policy terms and your individual schedule together. If they seem inconsistent, ask the insurer to explain in writing before arranging care.

See our exclusions checklist.

Sources checked 18 October 2026: PHIN: How to compare private medical insurance · Bupa: What health insurance covers