Lateral provides modern health insurance for active over-60s. People who see later life as a time to do more, not less. Those with no intention of stopping.
The business was founded to challenge the traditional approach to private medical insurance, creating a new kind of health insurance designed specifically for people over 60 who want to stay active, independent and in control of their health.
The Lateral Health Plan combines private cover, nurse-led support and preventative services in one policy, working alongside NHS care rather than replacing it.
A different approach to health insurance
Traditional private medical insurance can become expensive and complex as people get older. Lateral has developed a simpler proposition, focusing on selected procedures commonly carried out privately for people over 60, including knee replacements and cataract surgery.
By letting the NHS do what it does best and supplementing it with private care when needed, Lateral offers an alternative to traditional comprehensive private medical insurance for active over 60s.
The plan includes cover for selected surgical procedures, private consultations and diagnostic tests, with clear benefit limits and transparent pricing.
Care navigated by nurses
At the heart of the Lateral Health Plan is nurse-led healthcare navigation.
When members need help, they can speak directly with a qualified nurse who can explain their options and guide them through the NHS and private healthcare systems.
The approach recognises that the NHS is often the most appropriate setting for complex or higher-risk care, while private treatment can offer additional options for certain consultations, investigations and planned procedures.
Helping members stay healthy
Lateral believes healthcare shouldn’t only start when something goes wrong.
The Health Plan includes an annual health check with Bluecrest, designed to help members understand their health and identify potential risks early.
Members also have access to additional stay-healthy benefits, including virtual GP services, physiotherapy and nutrition support.
This combination of insurance, navigation and prevention reflects Lateral’s broader ambition to help people take a more proactive approach to their health in later life.
Building new propositions for later life
Co-founded by Laura Ashforth and Steven Mendel, Lateral is backed by investors including Augmentum, Triple Point and TinyVC.
As people spend longer in active retirement, Lateral wants to make it easier to plan for health alongside wealth, giving members more choice and confidence in navigating their healthcare.
The Lateral Health Plan is underwritten by HCC International Insurance Company plc, part of the Tokio Marine HCC group. HCC International Insurance Company plc holds an A+ (Strong) financial strength rating from S&P Global Ratings. Lateral arranges and administers the Health Plan but is not itself an insurer.
There’s later life. And there’s Lateral life.
Find out more at lateral.uk.
FAQs
Can you get private health insurance after 60?
Yes. The Lateral Health Plan is designed specifically for active people over 60. Eligibility and cover are subject to the plan’s terms and conditions. You can check your eligibility and obtain an online quote at lateral.uk.
How is Lateral different from traditional private medical insurance?
Lateral focuses on selected procedures commonly carried out privately for people over 60, rather than providing the broad cover associated with comprehensive private medical insurance. It also combines private healthcare cover with nurse-led navigation and preventative health services.
What does the Lateral Health Plan cover?
The plan provides cover for selected surgical procedures, including knee replacements and cataract surgery, alongside private consultations and diagnostic tests. It also includes an annual health assessment and additional stay-healthy benefits. Cover is subject to the policy’s terms, exclusions and benefit limits.
How does Lateral’s approach to pre-existing medical conditions differ from traditional health insurance?
Lateral takes a different approach to pre-existing medical conditions, with shorter moratorium requirements than are typically offered by other private medical insurers.
This means members may be able to access cover for certain pre-existing conditions sooner, rather than having to wait as long before those conditions can become eligible for claims. It’s an important consideration for people over 60 who are exploring their health insurance options or thinking about switching providers.
All cover remains subject to the policy’s terms, conditions and exclusions.
Can private health insurance work alongside the NHS?
Yes. The Lateral Health Plan is designed to complement, not replace, the NHS. It offers private healthcare access for selected treatments and services while recognising the important role of NHS care in other areas.
Does the Lateral Health Plan include an annual health check?
Yes. The annual health check is a key benefit of the Lateral Health Plan. Members receive a fully funded annual in-clinic health assessment with Bluecrest, designed specifically to support people over 60 in proactively managing their health and wellbeing and identifying potential risks early.
Does the Lateral Health Plan include private GP and physiotherapy services?
Yes. The Lateral Health Plan includes access to a virtual GP service, in-person and virtual physiotherapy, and virtual dietitian services. These stay-healthy benefits are designed to support members in maintaining their health, strength and mobility.
What is nurse-led healthcare navigation?
Whenever members need help, they can speak directly to a qualified nurse. The nurse will listen carefully, understand their medical situation and personal circumstances, and explain what their policy covers and how this fits with their NHS care. The service is designed to help members feel supported and informed throughout.
Can I choose which private hospital I use with Lateral?
Members can choose a hospital within the Lateral Hospital Network, which includes the UK’s largest private hospital group. They can also choose to go elsewhere, in which case Lateral will pay up to its agreed maximum contribution for each eligible procedure, subject to policy terms and limits.
For full product information, eligibility criteria, exclusions and policy terms, visit lateral.uk.
