No intention of stopping? We’ve got your back.

No intention of stopping? We’ve got your back.
Lateral begins at 60.
If you see your 60s and 70s as a chance to do more, not less, step this way. Our thinking is dedicated to your health, wealth and happiness. And it starts with The Lateral Health Plan. By playing to the strengths of the NHS where relevant, while giving you the option of private care where appropriate, we’ve created affordable wraparound health insurance just for active people like you.


There’s later life and there’s Lateral life.
We want to be your trusted partner for all the possibilities of life after work. The smart, creative support starts with our Lateral Health Plan.
You’ve looked after yourself for decades. Maybe you barely used the NHS or claimed on corporate health insurance. Now you’re thinking about the added protection of health insurance and your insurance quotes just got hiked due to your age. We think your efforts deserve a little more recognition.
There are complex challenges to getting the best treatment within the UK system. So, who better to create a totally new kind of health insurance for over 60s than our specialist team led by our own in-house doctor? The result is a practical and transparent new cover that lets the NHS do what it does best and means you’re not paying for care you’re already entitled to. Increasing your choice while making your healthcare more affordable - that’s Lateral thinking.
With many health insurers, claims are purely transactional where you call up, get a code, figure out the best way forward by yourself. Not with Lateral. We aren’t just here to settle bills. Our nurse navigation gets you the right care at the right time. To us, true cover is about feeling supported, respected, and cared for every step of the way.
When you’re dealing with a health issue, you don’t want your insurance to make you jump through hoops. So, we’ve worked hard to make policy wordings as clear and concise as possible, and your digital journey smooth. You’ll be speaking to our customer service team based here in the UK who know our health system inside out.
Affordable health insurance that runs alongside your NHS care.
The new Lateral Health Plan lets the NHS do what it does best while giving you the option of private care where appropriate. It could be your next good life choice.
A price you’ve earned
Getting compliments on your age is great. Being rewarded for years of looking after yourself is even better. The Lateral Health Plan is only for fit and active people over 60. So, your premium can be lower than traditional health insurance. For a 67 year old, this would be only £150 per month.
Plays to the strengths of the NHS
The Lateral Health Plan will help you access the NHS care you’re entitled to more easily. You may not even realise how much choice you have within the NHS.
Fast track private
NHS not performing as well as you’d like for a certain condition? We’ll look at your private options for faster diagnosis or specialist treatment.
Care navigated by nurses
We talk about care, not just claims. Call our helpline and a qualified nurse will talk you through your best and most convenient options. By navigating the best of both worlds, we can get you quick access to the right NHS or private care for your needs.
Stay-healthy benefits
To help you track your health over time, there’s an annual health check included at no extra cost, worth £362. Other preventative benefits include a virtual GP or physio. Just book your slot.

No intention of stopping? Join The Club.
Yes, this is an exclusive club. It’s for those enjoying later life with a track record of looking after themselves. People like you. So, what's on the menu?
- Read insightful articles on everything from preventative health hacks to off-grid travel essentials.
- Share ideas with our community of other Lateral thinkers on diet, exercise and ageing well.
- Save some serious money with our partner offers, from whole body wellness supplements to guilt-free snacks and drinks.
Club articles
Frequently asked questions
The Lateral Health Plan is a new approach to health insurance for the over 60s. So we know you’ll have questions. Here we answer some of the most commonly asked ones. If you need more, you can call our friendly and knowledgeable team on 0203 826 8898. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.
The Lateral Health Plan
We’re for fit and active over-60s who have no intention of stopping. The biggest worry is that health issues can interrupt active lives and the things you love doing. The best time to buy insurance is before you need it. You never know when you might fall ill or get injured, and buying cover early means more peace of mind. Joining while you’re fit and active ensures fast access to care if something unexpected happens.
The Lateral Health Plan offers affordable private medical insurance (PMI), combining shorter waiting times for assessment and treatment with fairness and simplicity. However, it’s not for everyone and there are certain pre-existing conditions that mean you’re not eligible to join. These conditions become more likely as you age, so joining while you can means being grouped with others who share your proactive attitude to health and independence. The sooner you join, the more value you’ll get. Joining early means you can start using your stay-healthy benefits straight away — from annual health checks and virtual GP access to physio and nutrition support — all designed to keep you well and independent for longer.
The Lateral Health Plan is open to new customers aged 60 to 75 who live in the UK and have been registered with a GP for at least two years. Once you’ve joined, you can renew your cover each year up to your 80th birthday.
It’s designed for non-smokers with a BMI (18–30) and no serious ongoing conditions. We’re intentionally for people who look after themselves and want to stay independent for longer.
Your cover continues right up to your 80th birthday. On the date your next premium is due after you turn 80, your policy will automatically end. You’ll be notified in advance, and our team will help you plan what’s next for your health and wellbeing.
Navigating Care
Whenever you need help, you start with a conversation. You’ll speak directly with a qualified Lateral nurse, not a call centre. They’ll listen, review any referrals, and guide you through the best NHS and private options. If you’re going private, they’ll arrange everything for you; from authorisation to booking. And if you’re staying in the NHS they’ll help make sure you’re getting seen as soon as possible in a place that suits you. You stay in control throughout.
Yes. You’ll usually need to have seen your GP before calling us — either your NHS GP or our Virtual GP service. Once you’ve spoken to a doctor and have a referral or diagnosis, you can contact our nurse team at any stage for guidance or next steps.
You can call:
- After you’ve seen your NHS GP and have a referral or test results
- After you’ve spoken to our Virtual GP
- After you’ve received a diagnosis or referral from a consultant you’ve already seen
Our nurses are here to help you make sense of your options, whatever stage you’re at in your health journey.
Your nurse will always help you find the best care pathway for your situation; not just the fastest one.
In many cases, the NHS remains the safest and most appropriate setting for complex or higher-risk care. That includes procedures involving multiple specialties, co-morbidities, or a risk of complications where access to intensive support, rehabilitation or follow-up is essential.
Some of the UK’s most advanced care is delivered exclusively through the NHS; from fast-track cancer referral pathways and specialist cardiac units, to research-led centres of excellence for surgery and chronic disease. Our nurse navigators understand these systems inside out and can help you access them quickly through your NHS “Right to Choose” or local referral routes.
In some cases, such as where NHS delays are long, quality of life is being affected or you need a quick procedure or investigation to get you back on your feet, your nurse will then guide you to your private options under the Lateral Health Plan; such as consultations, diagnostics or elective procedures that can be done safely and effectively in a private setting.
Stay-Healthy Benefits
Your annual health check is a full in-clinic assessment delivered by our partner Bluecrest Wellness. It includes more than 40 key tests covering:
- Heart, liver and kidney function
- Vitamin and mineral levels (including Vitamin D)
- Blood pressure, BMI and cholesterol
- ECG and inflammation markers
You’ll receive a clear report within a few days, explaining what your results mean and helping you take action early.
Through our partner HealthHero, you can speak to a UK-based GP by phone or video, 24/7. They can:
- Offer medical advice and reassurance
- Provide private prescriptions
- Refer you to NHS or private specialists
All calls are confidential and appointments are often available the same day.
Yes. You can access:
- Virtual physiotherapy. Up to six video sessions a year, usually within 48 hours
- In-person physiotherapy. Up to six sessions when referred by your GP or specialist
Each programme is designed to help you recover from pain or injury and stay active for longer.


