ActiveQuote Checks on Availability of Private Covid-19 Tests

ActiveQuote, the online comparison service for health insurance, has found that some of the leading health insurers in the market now support policyholders to get a Covid-19 test. As government test centres struggle to cope with demand, it’s good to know of alternative testing services if you are showing symptoms, or sharing a house with someone who is potentially ill with Covid.

Rod Jones, Head of Partnerships at ActiveQuote, explained: “The conversation around Covid-19 testing has amplified in recent weeks as the UK tries to avoid a second lockdown. It’s said to be key in containing the virus and yet immediate testing is increasingly hard to come by as the numbers getting tested also appear to be rising.

“As a public health emergency, diagnostics and treatment of Covid-19 must be led by the NHS. For those with access to private healthcare, however, there may be another way.

“ActiveQuote has been looking at the options available to those with private healthcare in place and, while insurers don’t generally provide for Covid testing, we have found that some offer ‘add on’ options, and that there are other instances where a Covid-19 test could be performed privately at no extra cost.”

Some providers offer existing PMI customers an ‘add on’ option for testing, while others like Bupa are operating private testing facilities available to anyone at an additional cost.

ActiveQuote asked its panel of providers what their terms for Covid-19 testing were, with the following results:

Rod said: “So, depending on the insurer you’re with, it is possible to get a test on demand, and in most cases if you’re going into a private medical facility for other treatment, it’s likely you’ll get a Covid-19 test at the same time.”

“The other good news is that overall healthcare providers are also expecting the availability of tests of all types and how they are used to change in the near future, and are keeping this under close review on behalf of their members too.”