TL;DR
With rising NHS waiting lists, more Britons are exploring private medical insurance in the UK than ever before. At WeCovr, an FCA-authorised expert broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, we're seeing a significant shift in how people view their healthcare options for 2025 and beyond. Deep dive into joint IHPN and Burges Salmon research on why more Britons use private cover A landmark piece of research from the UK public and industry sources (IHPN) and law firm Burges Salmon, titled "Health in 2024," provides a crystal-clear snapshot of the changing public mood.
Key takeaways
- Choice of Specialist: You can research and choose the consultant you want to see, based on their expertise and reputation.
- Choice of Hospital: Policies offer a list of high-quality private hospitals, allowing you to select one that is convenient or specialises in your condition.
- Choice of Timing: You can schedule appointments and procedures at times that suit your work and family commitments, rather than having to accept the first available slot.
- Younger Generations: Millennials and even Gen Z are now actively considering private health cover. They are digital natives, used to on-demand services, and the idea of waiting a year for treatment feels alien. They see PMI as a sensible part of their financial planning, like a pension.
- Families: Parents are increasingly purchasing policies to cover their children. The thought of a child being in pain or discomfort while on a long waiting list is a powerful emotional driver. Family policies can provide immediate access to paediatric specialists.
With rising NHS waiting lists, more Britons are exploring private medical insurance in the UK than ever before. At WeCovr, an FCA-authorised expert broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, we're seeing a significant shift in how people view their healthcare options for 2025 and beyond.
Deep dive into joint IHPN and Burges Salmon research on why more Britons use private cover
A landmark piece of research from the UK public and industry sources (IHPN) and law firm Burges Salmon, titled "Health in 2024," provides a crystal-clear snapshot of the changing public mood. This research, surveying thousands of adults across the UK, reveals a fundamental shift in attitudes towards healthcare, with the findings setting the stage for trends we expect to accelerate into 2025.
The headline finding is stark: a growing number of people are not just considering private healthcare, but actively using it. The report highlights that public satisfaction with the NHS, while still cherished as an institution, is being tested by practical realities. This is prompting a wave of proactive health consumerism, where individuals are seeking alternatives to secure timely care.
Let's break down the key takeaways and what they mean for you and your family.
The Core Drivers: What's Pushing Britons Towards Private Healthcare?
The research pinpoints several powerful motivations behind this "going private" trend. It isn't about abandoning the NHS; it's about supplementing it to gain speed, choice, and peace of mind during uncertain times.
1. NHS Waiting Times: The Primary Catalyst
The single biggest driver is, without a doubt, the unprecedented pressure on NHS services. According to NHS England data from mid-2024, the total waiting list for routine consultant-led elective care stood at over 7.5 million. Hundreds of thousands of these patients have been waiting for more than a year for treatment.
What this means in real life: Imagine you're suffering from persistent knee pain that affects your work and daily life. Your GP refers you to an orthopaedic specialist. On the NHS, the wait for an initial consultation, followed by diagnostic scans like an MRI, and then the eventual surgery could stretch over many months, even a year or more.
With private medical insurance, this timeline can be dramatically compressed. You could see a specialist within a week, have your scans shortly after, and be scheduled for surgery in a matter of weeks, not months. This speed is the number one reason people turn to private cover.
2. A Desire for Greater Control and Choice
The IHPN and Burges Salmon report highlights that people crave more control over their healthcare journey. Private medical insurance delivers this in several ways:
- Choice of Specialist: You can research and choose the consultant you want to see, based on their expertise and reputation.
- Choice of Hospital: Policies offer a list of high-quality private hospitals, allowing you to select one that is convenient or specialises in your condition.
- Choice of Timing: You can schedule appointments and procedures at times that suit your work and family commitments, rather than having to accept the first available slot.
3. Perceived Pressure on the NHS
There's a growing sentiment among the public, reflected in the research, of not wanting to be an "extra burden" on the NHS. Many people feel that if they can afford to go private, they should, freeing up an NHS slot for someone who cannot. This sense of social responsibility, combined with self-interest, is a powerful motivator.
4. Access to Advanced Treatments and Drugs
While the NHS provides excellent care, budgetary constraints mean that some newer drugs, treatments, or surgical techniques may not be routinely available. Some comprehensive PMI policies offer cover for treatments that have been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) but are not yet funded within the local NHS budget. This can be a crucial factor for certain conditions, particularly in cancer care.
Who is Buying Private Medical Insurance in 2026?
The profile of the typical PMI customer is changing. It's no longer just the domain of high-earning executives in large corporations.
- Younger Generations: Millennials and even Gen Z are now actively considering private health cover. They are digital natives, used to on-demand services, and the idea of waiting a year for treatment feels alien. They see PMI as a sensible part of their financial planning, like a pension.
- Families: Parents are increasingly purchasing policies to cover their children. The thought of a child being in pain or discomfort while on a long waiting list is a powerful emotional driver. Family policies can provide immediate access to paediatric specialists.
- The Self-Employed and Small Business Owners: For anyone who runs their own business, time is money. A long period of ill health can be financially devastating. PMI is seen as an essential tool to ensure they can get back on their feet and back to work as quickly as possible.
- Corporate Schemes: Companies are increasingly offering private medical insurance UK as a core employee benefit to attract and retain talent. In a competitive job market, a good health insurance package is a major differentiator.
Understanding Private Medical Insurance (PMI): The Essentials
If you're new to the idea of private cover, it can seem confusing. Let's demystify it.
What is PMI?
Private Medical Insurance is a policy you pay for (either monthly or annually) that covers the cost of private medical treatment for acute conditions.
The Golden Rule: Acute vs. Chronic Conditions
This is the most important concept to understand.
- Acute Condition: A disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Examples include joint replacements, cataract surgery, hernia repair, and treatment for infections. PMI is designed for this.
- Chronic Condition: A disease, illness, or injury that has one or more of the following characteristics: it needs ongoing or long-term monitoring, it has no known cure, it comes back or is likely to come back. Examples include diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Standard UK PMI does not cover the routine management of chronic conditions.
Similarly, PMI does not cover pre-existing conditions—any illness or injury you had before you took out the policy.
How Does It Work in Practice?
The patient journey is typically straightforward:
- Visit Your GP: You feel unwell or have a symptom, so you see your NHS GP first. The NHS remains your first port of call.
- Get a Referral: Your GP determines you need to see a specialist and gives you a referral letter.
- Contact Your Insurer: You call your PMI provider's claims line, explain the situation, and provide your referral details.
- Claim Authorised: The insurer confirms your condition is covered and authorises the claim. They will provide a list of approved specialists and hospitals from your chosen hospital list.
- Book Your Treatment: You book your consultation and any subsequent treatment at your convenience.
- Bills Are Settled: The private hospital and specialist bill your insurance company directly. You only have to pay any excess you chose on your policy.
What Does a Typical PMI Policy Cover (and Not Cover)?
Policies are modular, meaning you start with a core product and can add optional extras. An expert PMI broker can help you build a package that suits your needs and budget.
| Type of Cover | Common Inclusions | Common Exclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Core Cover | In-patient & day-patient treatment (hospital bed, surgery, nursing) | Pre-existing & chronic conditions |
| Cancer cover (often comprehensive, including surgery, chemo, radiotherapy) | A&E / Emergency visits | |
| Specialist consultation fees & anaesthetist fees | Routine pregnancy & childbirth | |
| Diagnostic tests (MRI, CT, PET scans) as an in-patient | Cosmetic surgery (unless medically necessary) | |
| Alcohol/drug abuse treatment, self-inflicted injuries | ||
| Optional Extras | Out-patient cover (consultations & tests that don't require a hospital bed) | Mental health (unless added as an option) |
| Therapies cover (physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic) | Dental & optical treatment (unless added as an option) | |
| Mental health support | ||
| Dental & optical cover |
Working with an experienced broker like WeCovr is invaluable here. We can help you understand the differences between providers and ensure you're only paying for the cover you actually need.
The Cost of Peace of Mind: What Influences PMI Premiums?
The price of private medical insurance UK varies significantly based on a range of personal and policy-related factors.
- Age: This is the biggest factor. Premiums increase as you get older because the statistical likelihood of needing treatment rises.
- Location: Living in or near major cities, especially London, usually means higher premiums due to the higher cost of private treatment there.
- Level of Cover: A basic policy covering only in-patient treatment will be much cheaper than a comprehensive one with full out-patient, therapies, and mental health cover.
- Policy Excess (illustrative): This is the amount you agree to pay towards any claim. Choosing a higher excess (e.g., £500) will lower your monthly premium.
- Hospital List: Insurers offer different tiers of hospital lists. A list that excludes expensive central London hospitals will be more affordable.
- Smoker Status: Smokers pay more due to the increased health risks.
To give you an idea, here are some illustrative monthly premium estimates.
| Persona | Location | Excess | Estimated Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-year-old individual | Manchester | £250 | £45 - £65 |
| 45-year-old couple | Bristol | £500 | £110 - £150 |
| Family of 4 (Parents 40, kids 10 & 12) | London | £250 | £180 - £250 |
Important: These are only examples. The only way to get an accurate price is to get a personalised quote based on your specific circumstances.
How an Expert Broker Like WeCovr Adds Value
Navigating the private health cover market can be overwhelming. There are numerous providers, each with different terms, conditions, and pricing structures. This is where an independent, FCA-authorised broker comes in.
- Market-Wide Comparison: WeCovr works with a panel of the UK's leading insurers, including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, and Vitality. We compare the entire market for you, saving you hours of research.
- Personalised, Unbiased Advice: Our job is to understand your unique needs, health concerns, and budget. We then recommend the policy that offers the best value for you, not a one-size-fits-all solution. Our high customer satisfaction ratings reflect this commitment.
- No Extra Cost to You: Our service is completely free for you to use. We are paid a commission by the insurer you choose, which is already built into the policy price. This means you get expert advice without paying a penny extra.
- Exclusive Benefits: When you arrange your PMI through WeCovr, you also get complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero, to support your health goals. Furthermore, our clients often receive discounts on other types of insurance, such as life or home cover.
- Support When It Matters: We're here to help not just at the start, but throughout the life of your policy. If you have questions or need assistance with a claim, your dedicated advisor is just a phone call away.
Beyond Insurance: The Growing Focus on Wellness and Prevention
One of the most exciting developments in the PMI market is the shift from simply treating illness to actively promoting wellness. The best PMI providers now include a wealth of benefits designed to keep you healthy.
These can include:
- Discounted gym memberships
- Wearable fitness tracker deals
- Access to digital GP services 24/7
- Mindfulness and mental health support apps
- Regular health screenings
- Rewards for healthy behaviour (e.g., cinema tickets, coffee)
This proactive approach to health aligns perfectly with a modern, holistic view of wellbeing. Here are a few simple tips to incorporate into your daily life:
- Nourish Your Body: Aim for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day is also crucial.
- Prioritise Sleep: Most adults need 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Establish a regular sleep schedule, create a restful environment, and avoid screens before bed to improve your sleep hygiene.
- Stay Active: The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week. This could be brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or even vigorous gardening. Find an activity you enjoy to make it a sustainable habit.
- Mind Your Mind: Chronic stress can have a significant impact on physical health. Practice mindfulness, meditation, or simple breathing exercises to manage stress levels. Don't hesitate to talk to someone if you're feeling overwhelmed.
The Future Outlook: Will the "Going Private" Trend Continue?
All indicators suggest that the trend identified by the IHPN and Burges Salmon is set to continue and strengthen into 2025 and beyond. As long as the core drivers—long waiting lists and a desire for greater control—persist, more people will view private medical insurance as a sensible and necessary investment.
PMI is not a replacement for our beloved NHS. It is a complementary service that works alongside it, providing a parallel route to treatment for those who value speed, choice, and certainty. For a growing number of UK residents, it represents a practical solution for taking control of their health in an uncertain world.
Does private health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Is private medical insurance worth it in the UK?
How much does private medical insurance cost per month?
Can I use my private health cover for anything?
Ready to explore your options for private medical insurance? The expert, friendly team at WeCovr can help. We'll compare the market's leading providers to find the perfect cover for your needs and budget. Get your free, no-obligation quote today and secure your peace of mind.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics (ONS): Inflation, earnings, and household statistics.
- HM Treasury / HMRC: Policy and tax guidance referenced in this topic.
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Consumer financial guidance and regulatory publications.
