TL;DR
WeCovr explores Aviva's DigiCare+ app and how it enhances your private health insurance As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped UK residents arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr understands that modern private medical insurance is about more than just hospital stays. It’s about proactive health management. This is where value-added services like the Aviva DigiCare+ app come in, transforming a standard policy into a comprehensive wellbeing partner.
Key takeaways
- Pre-existing Conditions: Any illness or injury you had before your policy's start date.
- Chronic Conditions: A long-term condition that cannot be cured but can be managed, such as diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure.
- How it helps: Imagine your child develops a high fever in the middle of the night. Or you have a worrying rash and can't get a GP appointment for two weeks. With the Digital GP service, you can speak to a doctor within hours, get a diagnosis, and even receive a private prescription if needed. This provides immense peace of mind and convenience.
- Key benefit: Fast access to medical advice, reducing reliance on A&E for non-emergency issues and bypassing long GP waiting times. All GPs are UK-based and NHS-practising.
- How it helps: If you're feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or low mood, you can use the app to request support. You'll be connected with a mental health professional who can provide guidance, coping strategies, and support. This early intervention can be crucial in preventing more serious issues from developing.
WeCovr explores Aviva's DigiCare+ app and how it enhances your private health insurance
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped UK residents arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr understands that modern private medical insurance is about more than just hospital stays. It’s about proactive health management. This is where value-added services like the Aviva DigiCare+ app come in, transforming a standard policy into a comprehensive wellbeing partner.
In this guide, we will unpack every feature of the Aviva DigiCare+ app. We’ll explain how it works, who can use it, and how it provides tangible benefits that you can use every day, not just when you fall ill. We'll explore how this powerful tool can help you and your family stay healthier, get faster access to medical advice, and ultimately, get more value from your private health cover.
The Critical Distinction: Understanding What UK Private Health Insurance Covers
Before we dive into the app's features, it's vital to clarify a fundamental principle of private medical insurance (PMI) in the UK.
PMI is designed to cover acute conditions. An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Think of conditions like hernias, joint replacements, or infections.
Crucially, standard private medical insurance in the UK does not cover pre-existing or chronic conditions.
- Pre-existing Conditions: Any illness or injury you had before your policy's start date.
- Chronic Conditions: A long-term condition that cannot be cured but can be managed, such as diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure.
While PMI won't pay for the treatment of these conditions, apps like Aviva DigiCare+ provide services that can help you manage your overall wellbeing, which is beneficial for everyone, regardless of their health status.
What is Aviva DigiCare+? A Quick Overview
Aviva DigiCare+ is a comprehensive health and wellbeing app, available at no extra cost to Aviva private health insurance policyholders. It's not the insurance itself, but a powerful suite of digital services designed to support your physical and mental health on a day-to-day basis.
Think of it as your digital health hub. It provides quick access to medical professionals, mental health support, nutritional advice, and preventative health checks, all from your smartphone. The goal is to empower you to take control of your health, addressing small issues before they become big problems.
According to NHS Digital data, over 7.6 million people were on NHS waiting lists in England in late 2024. Services like those offered in DigiCare+ can provide a valuable and speedy alternative for initial consultations and advice, helping you bypass some of these queues for non-urgent matters.
| Feature | Description | Availability |
|---|
| Digital GP | Video consultations with an NHS-practising GP. | 24/7 |
| Mental Health Support | Consultations with mental health clinicians. | As required |
| Nutritional Advice | Consultations with registered dietitians. | Up to 6 per year |
| Second Medical Opinion | Expert review of a diagnosis and treatment plan. | For serious conditions |
| Annual Health Check | At-home finger-prick blood test. | Once per policy year |
| Gym Discounts | Reduced membership fees at a network of UK gyms. | Ongoing |
A Feature-by-Feature Breakdown of Aviva DigiCare+
Let's explore the core services offered within the app and how they can benefit you and your family in real-world situations.
1. 24/7 Digital GP Consultations
One of the standout features is on-demand access to a GP. Instead of waiting for an appointment at your local surgery, you can book a video consultation at a time that suits you, including evenings and weekends.
- How it helps: Imagine your child develops a high fever in the middle of the night. Or you have a worrying rash and can't get a GP appointment for two weeks. With the Digital GP service, you can speak to a doctor within hours, get a diagnosis, and even receive a private prescription if needed. This provides immense peace of mind and convenience.
- Key benefit: Fast access to medical advice, reducing reliance on A&E for non-emergency issues and bypassing long GP waiting times. All GPs are UK-based and NHS-practising.
2. Comprehensive Mental Health Support
Mental health is as important as physical health. Recognising this, DigiCare+ provides direct access to mental health support without needing a GP referral.
- How it helps: If you're feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or low mood, you can use the app to request support. You'll be connected with a mental health professional who can provide guidance, coping strategies, and support. This early intervention can be crucial in preventing more serious issues from developing.
- Key benefit: Confidential, fast, and easy access to mental health support. In 2023, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that around 1 in 5 adults in Great Britain experienced some form of depression. Quick access to support is more critical than ever.
3. Personalised Nutritional Advice
"You are what you eat" is an old saying, but modern science backs it up. DigiCare+ offers consultations with registered nutritionists to help you optimise your diet.
- How it helps: Whether you want to lose weight, manage a food intolerance, or simply eat healthier to boost your energy levels, a nutritionist can create a tailored plan for you. You can get professional advice on anything from meal planning for a busy family to sports nutrition. Policyholders are typically entitled to up to six consultations per year.
- Key benefit: Expert, science-backed dietary advice to improve your long-term health and wellbeing, helping to prevent diet-related illnesses.
4. Expert Second Medical Opinion
Receiving a serious diagnosis can be a frightening and confusing experience. This service provides access to a world-leading specialist who will review your diagnosis and proposed treatment plan.
- How it helps: If you're diagnosed with a serious condition, this service allows an independent expert to review your medical files and provide their opinion. They can either confirm the diagnosis and treatment plan, giving you confidence to proceed, or suggest an alternative approach to discuss with your treating doctor.
- Key benefit: Invaluable peace of mind and confidence in your medical care during a critical time. This service is available for a wide range of conditions, but not for mental health conditions.
5. Annual Health Check
Prevention is better than cure. The annual health check is a proactive tool to monitor your health from the comfort of your home.
- How it works: Once a policy year, you can order a simple finger-prick blood test kit through the app. You collect a small sample, post it to a lab, and a doctor will call you to discuss your results.
- What it checks: The test analyses over 20 different health markers, including cholesterol levels, liver function, and risk markers for diabetes.
- Key benefit: Early detection of potential health issues, allowing you to make lifestyle changes or seek further medical advice before a problem becomes serious.
6. Bupa Anytime HealthLine & Gym Discounts
Beyond the core digital services, Aviva DigiCare+ also includes practical lifestyle benefits.
- Bupa Anytime HealthLine: A 24/7 phone line staffed by nurses for general health queries. It’s a great resource for quick questions that may not require a full GP consultation.
- Gym Discounts: To encourage an active lifestyle, the app provides access to discounts at a wide network of UK gyms and health clubs. This can make staying fit more affordable.
How the Annual Health Check Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
The annual health check is one of the most popular features of the app. Here’s a simple breakdown of the process:
- Order Your Kit: Open the Aviva DigiCare+ app and navigate to the Health Check section. Confirm your details and order your free test kit.
- Receive and Complete the Test: The kit will arrive at your home by post. It contains everything you need, including clear instructions, for a simple finger-prick blood sample.
- Post Your Sample: Place your sample in the pre-paid envelope provided and post it back to the accredited laboratory.
- Book Your Follow-Up: Once the lab has processed your sample (usually within a week), you'll receive a notification to book a phone or video call with a doctor.
- Discuss Your Results: The doctor will walk you through your personalised health report, explaining what each marker means and suggesting any necessary next steps or lifestyle adjustments.
This simple process gives you a powerful snapshot of your internal health, empowering you to take proactive steps towards a healthier future.
Real-Life Scenarios: How Aviva DigiCare+ Can Help
Let's look at how these features work in the real world.
-
The Worried Parent: It’s 10 PM and Sarah’s 4-year-old son has an unusual rash and a slight fever. Instead of heading to A&E, she uses the DigiCare+ app to book a video GP appointment. Within 30 minutes, she’s speaking to a doctor who assesses the rash visually, reassures her it's a common viral infection, and advises on how to manage the fever at home. Benefit: Peace of mind, convenience, and avoiding a long A&E wait.
-
The Stressed Professional: Mark has been feeling burnt out and anxious due to work pressure. He’s been struggling to sleep. He uses the mental health support feature in the app. He has an initial consultation and is then booked in for a series of therapy sessions with a qualified professional, all arranged discreetly through his phone. Benefit: Quick, confidential access to mental health care without a GP referral.
-
The Health-Conscious Retiree: David wants to ensure he’s staying as healthy as possible in retirement. He uses his annual health check. The results show slightly elevated cholesterol. The reporting doctor explains the reading and refers him to the in-app nutrition service. David has a consultation and gets a practical diet plan to help manage his cholesterol. Benefit: Proactive health management and prevention of future illness.
How Does Aviva DigiCare+ Compare to Other Insurer Apps?
Most leading providers of private medical insurance in the UK now offer similar digital health apps. As an independent PMI broker, WeCovr can help you compare them side-by-side. Here’s a simplified comparison of the typical features you might find.
| Feature | Aviva (DigiCare+) | AXA Health (Doctor at Hand) | Bupa (Digital GP) | Vitality (Vitality GP) |
|---|
| 24/7 GP Access | Yes | Yes (via app) | Yes (via app) | Yes (via app) |
| Mental Health Support | Yes (integrated) | Yes (separate pathway) | Yes (separate pathway) | Yes (integrated) |
| Annual Health Check | Yes (at-home kit) | Sometimes (clinic-based) | Sometimes (clinic-based) | Yes (clinic-based) |
| Second Opinion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nutritionist | Yes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Yes (with a fee) |
| Rewards/Discounts | Gym discounts | Active a-Plus rewards | N/A | Extensive rewards programme |
Our expert view: Aviva's DigiCare+ is a very strong, well-rounded offering, particularly with the inclusion of nutritional consultations and an at-home health check as standard for most policyholders. Vitality is famous for its rewards-based system that encourages activity, while AXA and Bupa offer excellent, streamlined GP access.
The best PMI provider for you depends on your individual priorities. Do you value proactive health checks, a rewards programme, or simply the core insurance coverage? A specialist broker like WeCovr can help you navigate these choices at no extra cost to you.
How WeCovr Helps You Get More From Your Health Insurance
Choosing the right private health cover can feel complicated. That’s where we come in. At WeCovr, we provide independent, expert advice to help you find the perfect policy for your needs and budget.
- Expert, Unbiased Comparisons: We work with a panel of top UK insurers, including Aviva. We’ll compare the policies, the prices, and the value-added benefits like the DigiCare+ app, giving you a clear picture of your options.
- No Fees for Our Service: Our advice and support are completely free for you. We are paid a commission by the insurer you choose, but this does not affect the price you pay.
- Exclusive Benefits for Our Clients: When you arrange your health or life insurance through WeCovr, we provide complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero. We also offer our clients exclusive discounts on other types of insurance, helping you save money across all your protection needs.
- Dedicated Support: We're here to help for the life of your policy. We have earned high customer satisfaction ratings because we prioritise our clients' needs. From choosing a policy to making a claim, we provide support every step of the way.
Is Aviva DigiCare+ a replacement for the NHS?
No, absolutely not. Aviva DigiCare+ and private medical insurance are designed to complement the services provided by the NHS, not replace them. The NHS remains essential for accident and emergency services, as well as for managing chronic conditions. The app provides a convenient way to get faster access to primary care advice and wellbeing support for acute issues.
Do I have to have an Aviva health insurance policy to use the app?
Yes. The Aviva DigiCare+ app is an exclusive benefit for customers who hold an eligible Aviva private medical insurance policy. It is not available as a standalone product. The exact eligibility can depend on the specific type of policy you have (e.g., individual, SME, or corporate), so it's always best to check the policy details.
Does using the services in the app affect my private medical insurance premium?
Generally, no. Using the value-added services within the Aviva DigiCare+ app, such as the Digital GP, mental health support, or annual health check, does not count as a claim on your core private medical insurance policy. Therefore, it will not directly affect your no-claims discount or your renewal premium. These services are provided as a way to help you stay healthy.
Can my family use the Aviva DigiCare+ app?
Yes, if your family members are also named on your Aviva private health cover policy. The benefits of the app, including GP consultations and other services, typically extend to your partner and dependent children if they are covered under the same policy, making it a valuable tool for the whole family.
Take the Next Step Towards Better Health Cover
The Aviva DigiCare+ app is a prime example of how modern private medical insurance in the UK has evolved. It’s no longer just about treatment; it’s about a holistic approach to your wellbeing, giving you the tools to be proactive about your health.
By combining fast access to medical professionals with preventative health checks and lifestyle support, it adds significant, tangible value to an Aviva health insurance policy.
Ready to explore how a policy from Aviva or another leading insurer could benefit you? The experts at WeCovr are here to help. We'll provide a free, no-obligation comparison of the best options on the market.
Get Your Free Private Health Insurance Quote Today →