Health insurance and cancer
The treatments, specialists and support to help against cancer
Key points:
- Nearly half of the UK population will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, Footnote [1] making early detection and support essential.
- Our health insurance includes comprehensive cancer cover, from diagnosis to aftercare, with added wellbeing support.
- Mental health support is available through our Wellbeing services^, helping customers manage the emotional and practical impact of cancer.
“You’ve got cancer.” The words nobody wants to hear, but statistically nearly half the UK population will hear at some point in their life. Footnote [1] Most of us will know someone who’s been affected, even if we haven’t ourselves. Having Aviva health insurance in place means you’ll get prompt and expert care if it does happen to you.
Understanding cancer
Learning more about cancer could help you feel more in control of a diagnosis. While cases are rising, with Macmillan Cancer Support estimating there are 3.5 million people currently living with cancer in the UK Footnote [2], greater awareness and earlier detection means survival rates are improving Footnote [3].
Health insurance and cancer cover
You may be concerned that you could experience long waiting times to start treatment for your cancer. This is where health insurance steps up, giving you more choice about when, where, and how you’ll get treatment.
Our cancer pledge guarantees you access to a registered specialist, and a hospital from your chosen list will support you from your initial cancer diagnosis through eligible treatment and into aftercare.
Whether it’s diagnostic tests to check your symptoms, chemotherapy, or money towards a wig after your treatment, we’ll cover the big steps for your health and the little things that make a difference to your everyday.
So, whatever your new normal looks like, we’ll help you to get there that little bit quicker.
Diagnosing cancer
A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but understanding what happens next can help you move forward with confidence. The process usually begins with a visit to your GP, followed by tests such as blood work, scans, or a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Early detection makes a big difference, so if you notice any unusual symptoms, speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible. For a detailed look at how cancer is diagnosed, read our guide to cancer diagnosis.
Mental health support after cancer diagnosis
Wellbeing outside of your treatment is important and we offer a range of services to support that included in our cover.
We’ve teamed up with Macmillan Cancer Support to give our customers access to a dedicated support line. Specialist Macmillan advisers can provide a much-needed shoulder to lean on if you’re overwhelmed or upset, or if you just want to know more about cancer and treatments.
Cancer screening
Cancer screening helps detect signs of cancer early, sometimes before symptoms appear. Regular screening can improve the chances of successful treatment and may even prevent some cancers from developing. Different types of screening are available depending on your age, gender and medical history.
Although our policy doesn’t cover you for routine screenings, as things like mammograms, cervical smears and some other checks are typically offered under the NHS. We will cover diagnostic tests at registered centres for confirmed or suspected cancer.
Cancer treatments
There are many types of cancer treatment available, and the right one depends on the type of cancer, how advanced it is and your overall health. Common treatments might include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapies. Your care team will work with you to create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs.
Can you get health insurance if you have cancer
Getting health insurance when you have cancer can be more complex, but it’s not impossible. Some providers may offer cover with certain exclusions or higher premiums, while others may focus on support for recovery and ongoing care. It’s important to compare policies and speak to insurers directly to understand what’s available.
Does health insurance cover cancer?
Our health insurance is all about getting you back on your feet when a diagnosis knocks you down. This means picking and choosing the benefits you need, for your recovery. Whatever you decide, cancer care is always part of the package with our core cover.
Full details of our comprehensive cancer cover are in our Healthier Solutions brochure, but we’ve highlighted some of the key benefits below:
- The latest diagnostics at registered centres for the best treatment options.
- Cover at every stage of treatment (including after care, palliative, and end of life care).
- The latest diagnostics for the best treatment options.
- Access to treatments and tests that might not be available from the NHS.
- A choice of local hospitals.
- Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy covered in full.
- £100 for each day or night of eligible treatment on the NHS – this can help towards everyday costs such as parking and childcare.
- Treatment at home wherever possible.
- Routine monitoring after finishing treatment.
- Preventative surgery (following cancer treatment we’ve paid for).
- Access to wellbeing support^, such as our Aviva Digital GP app^ and Stress Counselling helpline.
^These are a non-contractual benefits that can be withdrawn at any time.
Limits of cancer cover with our health insurance
While health insurance provides valuable support, it’s important to understand its limits so you can plan ahead.
Some limits include:
- No cover for pre-existing conditions (unless agreed), long-term chronic illnesses, infertility treatment, cosmetic surgery (except for reconstruction after cancer), or treatment outside the UK.
- If you’re offered experimental treatments, your policy will only pay up to the cost of the standard treatment. Some experimental options may not be covered at all.
- There are caps on certain benefits, like up to £5,000 for prostheses, £100 towards a wig, and a maximum of £10,000 for end-of life care donations.
- Preventative surgery is only covered if it follows cancer treatment we’ve paid for. It won’t be available because of family history.
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