Look at it from an insurers point of view and it’s easy to see why the cost of private medical insurance increases when you reach 50. As you’d expect, older adults are more prone to both illness and injury, therefore the risk of insuring them is higher. On the other hand, it seems a cruel irony that just when you need it the most, the cost of private medical insurance becomes out of reach for many.

However, there are some effective ways to cut the cost of medical insurance and still enjoy a high standard of care. Here are some suggestions from various experts on how to get cheap medical insurance when you’re fifty and over.

1. If you’ve already got medical cover through your company or a private insurer, try to hang on to it.
If you’ve already got PMI, perhaps as a benefit through work, there’s a good chance that you’ve also got the right to continue your cover by picking up the cost yourself. While this may not get you the cheapest premium possible, there is at least one good reason for continuing cover that you already have – treatment of pre-existing conditions. Most insurers will specifically exclude pre-existing conditions from new cover, so if you have an ongoing health issue that is covered under your current PMI, it’s a good idea to hold onto it if you can. Otherwise, you’ll probably have trouble finding a policy that covers all of your health expenses.

2. Shop around for the best premiums with the best cover.
If you’re generally in good health, however, you may find that shopping around will get you a better premium. Check online price comparison web sites to compare policies side by side and make sure that you’re comparing like with like.

3. Plan ahead for the best premium.
If you haven’t reached the magic cutoff age yet (it’s usually 50), think ahead and get PMI now, for the reasons stated in Number 1 above. Many private medical insurers will continue your cover long past age 50 if you’ve got existing cover with them. In fact, a number of companies offer cancel-proof policies if you buy before age 50, along with the promise that they will not turn anyone down. As long as you keep up the payments, your cover will remain in force. Do be certain to check the conditions and exclusions before you decide on one, though. PMI is useless if it doesn’t cover the costs that you’re most likely to need.

4. Pay a higher excess.
Since the level of excess that you pay directly affects the amount an insurer will have to pay out, choosing to pay a higher excess can bring your premiums down considerably. If you’ve got the savings to cover an increased excess, choosing a higher excess can make a very big difference. While it may seem counterproductive to pay for PMI, then have to pay more from your own pocket, the fact is that many Brits grossly underestimate the cost of serious health care. Treatment for serious or long term illnesses can easily run into hundreds of thousands. Being sure you’re covered for such serious and costly conditions can take the sting out of paying the smaller costs of treatment on your own.

5. Supplement with healthcare cash plans.
Save your PMI for the high-cost, serious medical treatments and consider cheaper cash plans for more common, every day treatments like optical and dental care.

Finally, one of the best ways to keep your medical costs low is to stay in good health. Many insurers will take your general lifestyle and attitude toward health into account when assessing the risk of insuring you. If you don’t smoke, stay physically active and maintain a healthy lifestyle, many insurers will reward you with a lower premium.