Guide
Health insurance and mental health cover explained
Your mental health is as important as your physical health. Having good mental health can not only help us cope day to day. It can even help us live longer1.
But many of us struggle. One in four adults1 in England will experience a mental health problem in any given year. And over 2 million people1 are on waiting lists in England for NHS mental health support. Getting access to treatment at the point you need it can really make a difference. That’s where private health insurance can help.
In this guide we explore what mental health means, what cover you can get with private health insurance and what’s not covered.
What does mental health mean?
Mental health is about how you’re feeling and coping with life. All of us have good days and bad days. And it’s normal for your mental health to vary week to week or month to month. There’s a broad spectrum of mental health conditions from mild anxiety to conditions like dementia. And your mental health is very individual to you.
Good mental health enables you to interact with work, friends and family in a positive way. But poor mental health can seriously affect your wellbeing. If your anxiety or stress escalates and you can no longer manage it, then you may need some support. Nearly a third of adults2 sought help from a counsellor or psychotherapist in 2024.
What counts as a mental health condition?
A mental health condition is any disorder that negatively affects your mood, the way you think or how you behave. They are often difficult to cope with and can affect your social life, work and relationships.
There are many kinds of mental health conditions. Some have a biological cause, like dementia. Others may be caused by personal or social factors, such as a divorce. Problems can also start from a physical health condition. Many of us with a long-term physical health condition also have a mental health problem.
Examples of conditions include:
- Depression- Persistently low mood, difficulty in feeling happiness.
- Anxiety- Feeling constantly worried, afraid or on edge.
- Panic disorder- A more severe form of anxiety that can also lead to panic attacks.
- Eating disorders- Eating too much or too little, or excessive worry about body weight.
- PTSD – Post traumatic stress disorder. Usually developed after experiencing a traumatic event.
- Psychosis – where you experience reality differently to those around you.
- Bipolar disorder – Amplifies your mood such that you can feel very high or low.
Does health insurance cover mental health?
Many health insurance policies will include an element of mental health support in their core cover. This is usually access to a set number of therapy sessions in a plan year. If you want comprehensive mental health cover, you’ll probably need to add it as an optional extra.
Insurers usually cover care for mental health conditions that are curable. This includes treatment to deal with the causes of anxiety and depression. And can include in-patient and day-patient treatment if you need to go to hospital.
The main difference between NHS and private treatment is that you don’t need to wait to be seen. Private health insurance can step in to offer faster access to specialists and treatment once a patient has been referred by a GP.Vitality mental health cover
At Vitality, we offer a unique end-to-end mental health cover supporting you from prevention all the way to treatment. Our unique Vitality Programme incentivises you to develop and maintain health habits. And if you experience a mental health issue, you’ll have fast access to a treatment via our Care Hub.
All our members get access to mental health support as part of our core cover. Our digital care pathway, Care Hub, also makes it easier for you to access mental health support. Whether that be talking therapies or online self-help tools.
Our core cover includes up to eight sessions of Talking Therapies including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or counselling each plan year. You can either refer yourself for counselling or get a GP referral. Therapy sessions can be done face-to-face or online, and you have the flexibility to choose the mental health professional you want to see from our approved providers.
Additionally, our plan includes a 12-month subscription to the Headspace app, providing access to music and guided meditations to help you reset, sleep sounds and stories to aid your rest, and relaxing yoga sessions to help you unwind.
If you’re looking for more comprehensive mental health cover, you can boost your plan. With Vitality’s enhanced mental health insurance, you’ll get:
- Full cover for Talking Therapies - Including counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) available online or face-to-face
- Out-patient cover - Up to £1,500 towards out-patient treatment, outside our Talking Therapies network
- In-patient and day-patient – Up to 28 days of in-patient and day-patient treatment per episode*.
*After 56 days without in-patient or day-patient treatment, we'll fully restore your benefit limits, covering you for further episodes of care during your plan year.
Does health insurance cover therapy?
Yes, most health insurance will cover therapy. The cover will vary between providers and whether you’ve opted for additional mental health cover. For example, you may get unlimited sessions with enhanced cover but not core cover.
Most insurers offer self-care apps and online tools, plus a talking therapies service. This type of counselling can help you find solutions to your emotional issues. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is also an option. This is a type of therapy that can help you change the way you think and behave. Both types of therapy can be conducted online or face-to-face.
What mental health conditions aren't covered by private health insurance?
Health insurance doesn’t cover chronic, or long-term treatment for mental health conditions. So, if you’re diagnosed with a long-term mental health problem that needs ongoing treatment, it’s unlikely to be covered. However, you will be covered for initial tests and any treatment you need to stabilise your condition.
Pre-existing mental health conditions also won’t be covered. A mental health condition is assessed like any other medical condition when you take out health insurance. If you have a pre-existing mental health condition, it doesn’t mean you can’t get health insurance. However, it might lead to higher premiums.
For conditions, such as anxiety, health insurance premiums might not be affected. However, for more severe conditions you might pay more, or insurer may exclude you from making a claim for that condition for a certain time.
Conditions such as dementia, and learning and development disorders, are also usually excluded. As are claims for conditions linked to drug or alcohol abuse.
Read more: Health insurance and pre-existing conditions explained
Is depression considered a pre-existing condition?
Yes, depression is typically considered a pre-existing condition. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get health insurance.
Say you had depression three years ago but are now fully recovered. In this case we might decide you’re eligible for the same level of cover as someone who has never had a mental health condition.
But if you're still having treatment for depression, you may not be able to make a claim for the condition until you’ve been free from symptoms for two years.
The best thing to do is to mention your depression to your insurer. They will be able to advise you about cover.
Is anxiety a pre-existing condition?
Yes, it is. But again, you should still be able to get cover. For some mild cases of anxiety, it may not affect your premiums. But more serious anxiety may be excluded from cover, just like depression.
It’s best to speak to your insurance provider to find out more.
What are the benefits of private health insurance with mental health cover?
There are three main benefits of taking out private health insurance with mental health cover.
Fast access to treatment. When you're in a mental health crisis, you want to get treatment quickly. With private health insurance you can get the treatment you need within days. And you can even refer yourself for counselling services without seeing a GP first.
Choose who you see and where. Private health insurance lets you choose your therapist from a panel of specialists who are available at the time you need support. And if you need to attend hospital you can decide which one suits your needs best.
Access to ongoing support. You have access to digital mental health resources, such as a helpline, self-help support and wellness apps.
And as a Vitality member, you’ll even be rewarded for healthy activities that support your mental wellbeing.
Managing your mental health
Just like we do with our physical health, we need to look after our mental health too. By adopting healthy habits that reduce anxiety and stress, we can make a positive impact on our wellbeing.
Regular exercise, being in nature and eating healthy food can help to boost your mood. At Vitality, we offer discounts for tracking your steps, joining a gym or eating well. We’ll also support you through giving up smoking and cutting down on alcohol and caffeine.
Plus, you’ll get access to our online guided meditation tool, Headspace. And if you need a professional to talk to we provide online or face-to-face therapy.
Read more: Understanding mental health
Need help now?
Urgent mental health support is available by calling 111 or 999.
If you’re in despair, please speak to someone. The Samaritans are available – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
Other sources of support include:
- NHS Mental Health- NHS information about mental health can be found here, or you can call 111
- Mind- information and campaigns about common mental health problems
- Mental Health Foundation- prevention-focused mental health charity
- Rethink Mental Illness- information and campaigns about mental illnesses including schizophrenia
- Young Minds- The UK’s leading charity for children and young people's mental health
Health insurance and mental health cover – things to consider
If you’re looking for comprehensive mental health cover you’ll probably need to add this as an extra to your core health insurance. Many providers offer a basic level of cover for mental health conditions, but it can be limited to a few sessions of therapy. You’ll need to pay more for additional cover.
When taking our health insurance, be honest and open about any existing mental health conditions. Insurance companies don't provide cover for existing conditions. But you’ll still be able to get treatment for a mental health condition that’s not related to your existing condition.
Check the limits of your cover carefully. There may be a limit to the number of days you can be treated in hospital in any one plan year for example.
Read more: In-patient and out-patient cover explained
Vitality private health insurance
Want to know more about health insurance or thinking about taking out a policy? Here are some of the benefits of taking out health insurance with Vitality:
- Get video GP appointment quickly
- Avoid lengthy hospital waiting lists
- Get specialist drugs and treatments
- See a consultant fast
- Refer yourself for physiotherapy
- Get mental health support fast and without a GP referral
- Get menopause support
- Get discounts from top brands. And rewards for getting healthy.
Mental health cover FAQs
Does health insurance cover online therapy sessions?
Yes, most health insurance will cover online therapy. The cover will vary between providers and whether you’ve opted for additional mental health cover. For example, you may get unlimited sessions with enhanced cover but not core cover.
Do you need a GP referral to access mental health services with insurance?
Not always. Some insurers will allow you to self-refer for talking therapies.
Will my premiums increase if I disclose a mental health condition?
Not necessarily. But it’s likely that you won't be covered for that condition in the future.
What happens if I don't disclose a pre-existing mental health condition?
If you try to make a claim for a pre-existing condition, you won’t be covered. And therefore, won’t be eligible for treatment.
Is there a limit to how many therapy sessions I can claim in a year?
At Vitality, we offer up to eight therapy sessions with our core health insurance cover. If you take our enhanced cover there is no limit to the number of sessions you can have in a plan year.
Is couples or family therapy covered under mental health insurance?
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