General & Medical Health Insurance UK (2026 Review): Cover, Costs & Honest Verdict
Looking at General & Medical (G&M) for private healthcare? This independent 2026 review explains who they are, what their plans actually cover, how their broker-led model works, what the independent ratings really say, and how they stack up against Bupa, AXA and Aviva — so you can decide whether they’re the right fit.
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Quick Answer: Is General & Medical Any Good?
General & Medical (G&M) is a long-established, FCA-regulated UK health insurer — smaller than Bupa or AXA, positioned at the broker-led, tailored-cover end of the market. It offers Personal, Business, Child and Sports health insurance, with in-patient and day-patient cover as standard plus optional extras. Most policies are arranged through FCA-authorised brokers rather than sold direct.
Honest note on reputation: its independent Trustpilot score sits around 4.1/5 — among the lower scores of assessed insurers, and from a relatively small number of reviews — so it’s worth comparing like-for-like against larger providers. G&M can suit people wanting a bespoke plan through a broker. See also the G&M hospital list.
What this review covers
Who Are General & Medical?
General & Medical Healthcare (often shortened to G&M) is a long-established UK private medical insurer. It’s a smaller player than the household names — Bupa, AXA, Aviva — with a clear positioning in the broker-led and tailored-cover end of the market. Understanding that positioning matters: most G&M policies are distributed through FCA-authorised brokers rather than heavily marketed direct-to-consumer, so a broker’s advice is usually central to buying their cover.
That model is a double-edged sword. It means cover can be tailored to specific needs (a plus if your situation is unusual), but it also means less of the polished digital self-service you’d get from a big insurer. If you like dealing with a person who builds a plan around you, it fits; if you want an app-first experience, weigh that up.
What Does General & Medical Cover?
Cover depends on the plan and options you choose, but as standard G&M plans include:
Typical inclusions
- In-patient & day-patient treatment at private hospitals
- Cash benefits in the event of illness (varies by plan type)
- Wellbeing services and lifestyle rewards from the start of the policy
- Optional add-ons: outpatient consultations & diagnostics, mental health support, and more
As with any insurer, the detail is in the options — outpatient limits, excess and underwriting all shape what you actually get. See our guides on outpatient limits, excess and comprehensive vs basic cover.
General & Medical Plan Types
G&M structures its cover around who it’s for rather than fixed “bronze/silver/gold” tiers:
| Plan | Who it’s for |
|---|---|
| Personal | Individuals and families wanting tailored private cover |
| Business | Employers providing cover for staff |
| Child | Dedicated cover options for children |
| Sports | Cover geared to sports and related injuries |
Within each, the level of cover and options are built with your broker — so two people on a “Personal” plan may have quite different benefits. Always get the schedule of benefits in writing and confirm exactly what’s included.
What Does General & Medical Cost?
G&M doesn’t publish fixed prices — like all PMI, premiums depend on your age, location, health history, excess and level of cover. As a whole-of-market guide (not a G&M quote), individual private cover often ranges from around £40 to over £100 a month, with families higher.
⚠️ Treat any “average price” with caution
Beware tables claiming precise G&M prices by age — insurers price individually, and a headline figure rarely matches your quote. The only reliable number is a personalised quote, ideally compared against other insurers for the same level of cover. See private healthcare monthly costs and cheaper cover options.
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Ratings & Reputation (An Honest Look)
This is where balance matters. G&M’s own materials highlight helpful, personal customer service, and there are positive individual reviews. But on independent measures, the picture is more mixed:
- Trustpilot around 4.1/5 — among the lower scores of insurers assessed by independent raters
- Based on a relatively small number of reviews (a few hundred, with limited recent volume) — too few to draw strong conclusions either way
- Common positives: UK-based advisers, personal service, tailored plans
- Common watch-outs: as a smaller insurer, hospital lists and some benefits can be narrower than the big four; lower-tier options may have limited outpatient cover
Ratings and review counts change — check the latest on Trustpilot and independent comparison sites before deciding. The fair takeaway: G&M isn’t a “big four” insurer and shouldn’t be judged as one, but its independent scores mean it’s worth comparing carefully rather than assuming.
Who Is General & Medical For?
G&M tends to suit people who want tailored, broker-arranged cover rather than an off-the-shelf big-brand policy. In particular:
- Self-employed professionals wanting reliable in-patient cover built around their needs
- Families after tailored private healthcare, potentially at a competitive price
- Small businesses wanting bespoke employee cover — see small business health insurance
- People who value speaking to a UK adviser over app-first self-service
If you specifically want the widest hospital lists, market-leading mental health cover, or the strongest digital tools, a big-four insurer may serve you better — so compare. See is private health insurance worth it? and, if you’re new to it, how to get private medical insurance.
How G&M Compares
G&M competes more on tailored cover and price than on the scale and brand of the big names. Worth comparing against:
- Bupa — largest network, strong cancer & mental health cover
- AXA Health and Aviva — big-brand flexibility
- WPA and The Exeter — well-rated specialist/not-for-profit options
- Other smaller insurers — Freedom, National Friendly, and other niche insurers
Start with our best UK health insurance reviews. Switching to (or from) G&M? See switching health insurance, underwriting explained and CPME.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are General & Medical Healthcare?
General & Medical Healthcare (often shortened to G&M) is a long-established UK private medical insurer. It’s smaller than household names like Bupa or AXA and is positioned at the broker-led, tailored-cover end of the market, offering Personal, Business, Child and Sports health insurance. Most policies are arranged through FCA-authorised brokers rather than sold direct, so advice from a broker is central to how their cover is bought.
What does General & Medical health insurance cover?
As standard, G&M plans cover a range of in-patient and day-patient treatment at private hospitals, plus various cash benefits in the event of illness. Depending on the plan and options chosen, you can add outpatient consultations and diagnostics, mental health support, and other benefits, alongside wellbeing services and lifestyle rewards. Exact cover varies by plan type and the options you select, so check the policy documents.
Is General & Medical a good insurer?
G&M is a long-established, FCA-regulated UK insurer with a clear niche in tailored, broker-led cover, which suits people who want a plan built around specific needs. On independent measures its Trustpilot score sits around 4.1 out of 5, among the lower scores of assessed insurers and from a relatively small number of reviews, so it’s worth comparing against larger providers. Whether it’s right for you depends on your priorities and a like-for-like quote.
How much does General & Medical health insurance cost?
G&M doesn’t publish fixed prices, as premiums depend on your age, location, health history, excess and the level of cover. As a rough market guide, individual private cover often ranges from around £40 to over £100 a month, but this is a whole-of-market indication, not a G&M quote. The only reliable figure is a personalised quote, ideally compared against other insurers for the same level of cover.
Does General & Medical cover mental health?
Mental health and therapy benefits are available on G&M cover, though availability, limits and any age rules depend on the plan and options you choose. As with most UK insurers, mental health cover is typically an area where plans differ significantly, so confirm exactly what’s included, any session caps, and whether it counts towards outpatient limits before buying.
Can I switch from another insurer to General & Medical?
Yes, switching is usually possible using continued personal medical exclusions (CPME) or moratorium underwriting, depending on your history. CPME aims to carry across the exclusions you had with your previous insurer, while moratorium sets a look-back period on recent conditions. Always check the transfer terms carefully, as how pre-existing conditions are treated can change when you switch.
How does General & Medical compare with Bupa and AXA?
G&M is a smaller, broker-led insurer competing more on tailored cover and price than on the scale and brand recognition of Bupa or AXA. The big names tend to offer larger hospital networks, more polished digital tools and stronger independent ratings, while G&M can appeal to those wanting a bespoke plan through a broker. The best choice depends on the cover you need, so compare like-for-like quotes.
ℹ️ Important Disclaimer
This guide is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by General & Medical Healthcare. Plans, benefits, pricing and ratings can change — always confirm your specific plan terms directly with General & Medical or your broker before buying. Prices mentioned are whole-of-market indications, not G&M quotes. Ratings referenced were accurate at the time of writing and may have changed.
This is general information, not financial or insurance advice. For regulated advice, consult an FCA-authorised broker. We may earn commission when readers compare cover through our links, which funds our research but doesn’t affect our reviews. See our disclaimer and terms.
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