What happens to private medical insurance when I change jobs? 

Changing jobs is a common career move, but it can create uncertainty about employee benefits — especially private medical insurance.

If you are asking, what happens to my individual private medical insurance when I change jobs? The short answer is that your current employer policy will usually end when you leave your job. What happens next depends on whether your new employer offers cover, and whether you have a way to continue your existing policy in the meantime.

Not usually. Private medical insurance is generally tied to the employer that provides it, so it does not automatically transfer from one company to another.

When you change jobs, your existing policy usually ends with your old employer. Your new employer may offer a different scheme, but it is unlikely to be exactly the same as your previous one.

If your new job includes private medical insurance, that is helpful — but there may still be differences between the two schemes.

For example:

• the benefit level may be different
• there may be a waiting period before cover starts
• pre-existing conditions may be treated differently
• your family members may not be covered in the same way.

So even if you get cover through your new employer, there may be a gap or change in benefits compared with your old policy.

This is where people often run into problems. If you leave one job before your new employer cover begins, you may have a period with no private healthcare in place.

That gap matters if you:

• are waiting for treatment
• have an ongoing condition
• want continuous protection
• do not want to lose access to private care.

If continuity is important to you, it is worth finding out whether you can continue your current policy as a leaver rather than waiting for your new job to start.

Sometimes, yes. Some employer group schemes allow departing members to continue private medical insurance individually once they leave the company.

This can be an ideal solution if you want to:

• avoid any break in cover
• keep the same insurer and policy structure
• maintain continuity during a job move
• bridge the gap until new employer cover begins.

The key is to check your options early, because continuation may be subject to eligibility rules and deadlines.

leave.

Here are the main things to check:

1. When does my current cover end?
   Confirm the exact date your existing policy stops.
   
   
2. Will my new employer provide cover?
   Ask when it starts and what it includes.
   
   
3. Is there a gap between policies?
   Even a short gap may matter if you need treatment.
   
   
4. Can I continue my current policy?
   Check whether a leaver option exists.
   
   
5. Do I need to act by a deadline?
   Missing a deadline could mean losing the chance to continue.

It can help you:

• understand whether continuation is possible
• avoid gaps in healthcare cover
• move from one employer to another more smoothly
• keep private treatment access while you change jobs.

If your job change is coming up, this is one of the best ways to make sure your healthcare cover is not interrupted.

When you change jobs, your private medical insurance usually does not move automatically with you. Your cover will normally end with your current employer unless you arrange continuation or your new employer provides cover.

The safest approach is to review your options before you leave. That gives you time to decide whether to continue your current policy, wait for new cover, or put another solution in place.

At Marsh, we can help you:

• understand whether continuation is possible
• avoid gaps in healthcare cover
• move from one employer to another more smoothly
• keep private treatment access while you change jobs.

Simply call us: 0800 011 3136 ^{(phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM)} or email us: personalhealthcare@marsh.com.

^{Please be aware that all providers have time limits to continue cover, and some may have restrictions. Your options will depend on your personal circumstances and the insurer’s requirements. You may be asked medical questions, and some exclusions may apply.}

^{Marsh Health and Benefits is a trading name used by Mercer Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 121935). Mercer Limited is registered in England and Wales (Registration Number 984275). Registered Office: 1 Tower Place West, Tower Place, London, EC3R 5BU. © 2026 Marsh. All rights reserved.}