WPA Health Insurance

The History of WPA

In 1901, a group of workers founded the Reading Work People's Voluntary Hospital Contributory Fund to support their members and cover their health care costs. In 1939, the fund merged with the Bristol Hospital Fund, and in 1949 they were renamed the Western Provident Association (WPA). In 1992, WPA moved from Bristol to a purpose-built building in Taunton, Somerset.

WPA was described by the World Health Organisation as leading the way for coinsurance or shared responsibility policies. Whereby, the patient pays a portion of the liability up to an agreed limit.

WPA Insurance Policy Review

Complete Health is WPA's main health insurance policy for customers. The policy covers in-patient care in full and a range of out-patient treatment. There are a number of optional add on extras to enhance the policy.

WPA Core Cover

Included as a base to your cover with WPA health insurance are the following benefits:

Benefit	Details
In-patient and day patient Treatment	Including hospital fees, consultation fees, diagnostic tests and MRI, CT, PET scans and therapy
Out-patient Treatment	Typically, your treatment will start with a specialist consultation. Core cover contributes £250 per year towards these costs Complex scans such as MRI/CT/PET scans are included, plus procedures carried out by your specialist on an out-patient basis and pre-admission tests
Remote GP Services	Private GP Helpline, Video Consultations, Private Prescriptions, Specialist Referral
Telephone Counselling	Also with online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Life Skills Course and Wellbeing and Health Information.
NHS Hospital Cash Benefit	If you choose to be treated in an NHS hospital instead of as a private patient, you may claim a cash benefit An annual benefit limit of £4,500 applies to the following benefits: - NHS day-patient/in-patient (less than three nights) £150 per day/night - NHS in-patient (three or more nights) £200 per night - NHS out-patient complex scans and NHS out-patient procedures £150 per day
Home Nursing	Up to four weeks
Private Ambulance	Full cover where medically necessary
Parent and Child	Up to 10 nights

WPA Optional Extras

Additional optional extras are available to enhance your policy to suit your individual requirements:

Optional Benefit	Details
Extra Out-patient Cover	Extra out-patient consultations - increase the £250 core benefit to £500, £1000 or unlimited Tests such as blood tests, x-rays and ultrasound scans - choose from £500, £750, £1000, £1500 or unlimited A range of therapy treatment including physiotherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy and acupuncture is available with a choice of benefit limits: £500, £750, £1000, £1500 or unlimited
Cancer Care	Tests and treatment from diagnosis to palliative care NHS Hospital Cash Benefit – Cancer (overall combined maximum annual benefit limit of £6,000) NHS In-patient or NHS Day-patient – £200 per night/day NHS Out-patient Complex Diagnostic Scans or NHS Out-patient Cancer Treatment or NHS Out-patient Procedure - £150 per day
Overseas Emergency Treatment	Overseas Emergency Treatment (not the USA and its dependencies) – 70 days per trip, maximum 180 days and £500,000
Dental Care	Dental Emergencies – £250 per course of treatment in the UK or abroad (up to four courses) Dental Injuries – £20,000
Premium Hospitals	Extend your choice of over 1,000 hospitals by adding Premium Hospitals – primarily based in Central London
Mental Health Treatment	Mental Health Hospital Treatment - up to 28 days/nights. If you add this benefit you must also choose a £1000 or £2000 level of Outpatient Treatment and Therapy Structured Counselling (Extended Therapy) - Allowing for the treatment of more complex health conditions (up to 20 sessions). Available for over 16s only

Underwriting Options

Complete Health has no maximum joining age. However, if you are 66 or over, you must take a minimum excess of £500 and will need to join on a Full Medical Underwriting basis.

They offer three ways your policy can be underwritten:

Moratorium Underwriting You are required to satisfy joining criteria without the need to detail your medical history. More information may be required when you make a claim.
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) Details of your past medical history are required.
Switch Terms For those transferring from another insurer. They’ll need to know about your existing insurance cover and any exclusions.

For more definitions of terms, please see our glossary.

Excess Options

WPA offer a 'Shared Responsibility' option on their excess. This is a method of co-payment that's a slightly different version of a traditional excess:

75% of each claim for eligible treatment is paid no matter how small

You share the cost of treatment by contributing 25% towards every eligible claim

Your contribution is 'capped' at a level chosen by you per policy year

WPA pay 100% of eligible claims once you reach you chosen level

Levels for Premier are: £250, £500, £1000, £1500 or £5000

WPA Health Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use the NHS if I have WPA insurance?

Yes! The NHS is available to all UK citizens with or without insurance. Any treatment for pre-existing and chronic conditions will still be treated by the NHS, as well as any emergencies. If you choose to have inpatient or outpatient treatment on the NHS, that you would be eligible to claim on your health insurance for, WPA will pay you an NHS cash benefit up to £4,500 per year. More on the relationship between NHS and PMI.

Can I choose where I am treated?

WPA provide an extensive choice of hospitals as standard. You can choose to add premium hospitals to your cover, which would extend your choice of over 1,000 hospitals. Premium hospitals are primarily based in Central London.

Do I need health insurance?

We are blessed in the UK to have a National Health Service, so health insurance is not a legal requirement. Health insurance provides the peace of mind however that should you require treatment you can access private health services and avoid NHS waiting times. We believe there is a policy to suit everyone. To read more, see our Guide to Health Insurance.

Do WPA offer cancer care cover?

WPA offer comprehensive cover as an optional extra to enhance cover. They will cover the costs of diagnosis, surgery, treatment in full and advanced anti-cancer treatment where it is not yet available on the NHS. More on Cancer Cover.

Can I tailor my cover?

Yes, you can add optional extras to your Premier plan at a premium. These include:

Extra Out-patient
Cancer care
Dental care
Overseas emergency treatment
Premium hospitals

Does WPA offer Family Health Insurance?

Yes! You can add your partner and children to your plan.

Why Compare Health & Life Insurance with us?

Here at Usay Compare, we can help you to compare prices and cover from the market leading UK health and life insurance companies such as Aviva, AXA and Bupa. Our service is completely free of charge and we are totally independent and impartial.

Our team of friendly, expert advisers are on the end of the phone, ready to guide you easily through the whole process. They will get to know your unique individual requirements, do all the hard work comparing prices and policies for you; then advise on the best and most cost-effective quote.

The History of WPA

WPA Insurance Policy Review

WPA Key Benefits

WPA Core Cover

WPA Optional Extras

What isn't covered?

Perks