Quick answer · Updated July 2026
After a cardiac event or diagnosis, PMI is available but cardiology will usually be excluded — heart conditions on medication never complete the two-clear-years moratorium test, and full medical underwriting will exclude the condition and what insurers deem related. The rest of your health is insurable normally. Benenden (no health questions, £15.85/month) accepts you but excludes heart treatment for all members anyway (verified July 2026).
Key Facts · 2026-07-17
- Benenden excludes 'brain, heart and cancer' treatment for all members — its own guide wording (July 2025).
- Statins, anticoagulants or BP medication keep the moratorium clock at zero — cardiac exclusions persist while treated (standard moratorium wording across insurers, July 2026).
- Aviva's inpatient module includes nurse support for heart conditions; chronic heart disease management remains excluded everywhere.
- A&E and emergency cardiac care are NHS territory — excluded from every PMI policy (July 2026).
What's realistically on offer
With a stent, arrhythmia or heart-failure history, expect FMU to exclude cardiovascular disease and cover the rest — orthopaedics, cancer, general surgery, diagnostics for non-cardiac symptoms. That remainder is most of what PMI does, and most of what people claim for. Insurers don't load premiums for the history; the exclusion carries the risk. Disclose fully on FMU — a cardiac non-disclosure is exactly the kind that voids policies.
Chest pain and the small print
New chest symptoms occupy an awkward seam: genuinely new, non-cardiac causes may be covered; anything adjudged related to your pre-existing cardiac condition won't be, and acute chest pain belongs in A&E regardless (excluded everywhere). Ask any prospective insurer, before buying, how they'd handle investigation of new chest symptoms given your history — their answer in writing tells you what you're really buying (July 2026).
Who This Isn't For
If your priority is faster or better cardiac care — echocardiograms, angiograms, cardiology follow-up — PMI with a cardiac exclusion cannot provide it, and Benenden excludes heart treatment for everyone. That money is better left in savings for private self-pay cardiology appointments (initial consultations run £145–£250, July 2026 published prices).
Related: see our private health insurance comparison hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, with cardiology excluded — on medication the moratorium clock never runs, and FMU will exclude cardiovascular conditions explicitly. Cover for everything non-cardiac proceeds normally; premiums aren't loaded (verified July 2026).
For conditions that arise after you join and aren't related to pre-existing disease, comprehensive policies cover eligible cardiac treatment. For anyone with prior heart disease, related surgery is excluded; Benenden excludes heart treatment for all members (verified July 2026).