Health & healthcare news
15 clear, jargon-free guides and explainers — how NHS waiting times actually work, how private health insurance is priced and underwritten, and how to choose between providers. No filler, just the facts and what they mean for you.
Industry & Trends
Why Choice and Speed Now Matter More
Waiting lists are prompting more UK patients to look at private healthcare — not as a replacement for the NHS, but as a second route to faster answers.
Read the guide →Mental Health Cover in Private Health Insurance: What's Included in 2026
Mental health cover has gone from a rare add-on to a standard feature of most UK health insurance policies. Here's what's typically covered, and what to check.
Read the guide →UK Private Healthcare in Numbers: The 2026 Market Snapshot
How many people have private health insurance in the UK, how big is the market, and what's actually driving its growth? The key numbers in one place.
Read the guide →NHS & Waiting Times
The NHS 18-Week Target Explained: Are You Being Seen on Time?
The NHS Constitution promises treatment within 18 weeks of referral. Here's what the target actually requires, how often it's met, and what to do if you've been waiting longer.
Read the guide →NHS vs Private: How Long Will You Really Wait in 2026?
A side-by-side look at realistic waiting times on the NHS compared with going private, for the procedures people ask about most.
Read the guide →The NHS Waiting List in 2026: What the Numbers Really Mean
7.28 million cases are currently on the NHS waiting list in England. Here's what that figure actually measures, and what it means if you're one of them.
Read the guide →Insurance Explained
Employer Health Insurance vs Buying Your Own: What's the Difference?
Around three-quarters of UK private medical insurance is bought through employers. Here's how employer-provided cover differs from an individual policy — and what happens if you leave your job.
Read the guide →Moratorium vs Full Medical Underwriting: How Health Insurance Actually Works
The two main ways UK insurers decide what they'll cover — and why the choice between them matters more than the headline premium.
Read the guide →Insurance Premium Tax Explained: Why Your Policy Costs More Than the Premium
A 12% tax is added to most UK health insurance premiums, on top of what the insurer actually charges for cover. Here's how it works.
Read the guide →Pre-Existing Conditions and Health Insurance: What's Covered, What Isn't
Health insurance is built to cover what happens after you take out a policy, not what came before. Here's exactly how insurers treat conditions you already had.
Read the guide →Why Are Private Health Insurance Premiums Rising in 2026?
Health insurance premiums have been climbing across the market. Here are the actual drivers — and what you can do to manage the cost.
Read the guide →Care & Choosing Providers
How to Read a CQC Rating: What Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate Mean
Every hospital and care home page on Dr Compare shows a CQC rating where available. Here's what the four ratings actually assess, and how to use them when choosing where to be treated or cared for.
Read the guide →Paying for Care Home Fees: Your Options Explained
Care home costs are one of the biggest and least-understood expenses many UK families face. Here's a plain-English overview of how funding actually works.
Read the guide →Self-Pay vs Health Insurance: Which Is Cheaper for a One-Off Procedure?
If you only need treatment once, is it cheaper to pay privately out of pocket than to take out health insurance? The answer depends on more than just the sticker price.
Read the guide →Virtual GP Apps Explained: What You Actually Get With 24/7 GP Services
Video and phone GP consultations are now a standard feature of most health insurance policies. Here's what they can and can't do for you.
Read the guide →Looking for something specific?
These guides cover the industry and the system. For condition-specific NHS vs private information, see our 100+ condition guides — or for insurer-by-insurer detail, our insurer reviews.