
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, we at WeCovr know the UK private medical insurance market inside out. This guide explains Aviva's My Healthy Discount programme, a popular wellness scheme that rewards you for healthy living with lower premiums.
The landscape of UK private health cover is changing. Insurers are no longer just there for you when you're unwell; they are actively encouraging you to stay healthy in the first place. This is where wellness reward programmes come in, and two of the biggest names in this space are Aviva and Vitality.
At its core, Aviva’s ‘My Healthy Discount’ is a simple proposition: engage in healthy activities, earn points, and get a discount on your private medical insurance premium when you renew your policy. It’s a direct financial incentive tied to your wellbeing.
This approach contrasts with the more "gamified" system offered by Vitality, which provides a stream of smaller, regular rewards like free coffee and cinema tickets throughout the year. This article will break down how Aviva's scheme works, what you need to do to earn your discount, and how it stacks up against its main competitor, helping you decide which approach might be the best fit for your lifestyle and health goals.
Aviva's My Healthy Discount is a wellness programme integrated into their 'Healthier Solutions' and 'Speedy Diagnostics' private medical insurance policies. The central idea is to empower and reward customers for taking proactive steps to manage and improve their health.
Instead of just paying for treatment when you get sick, this programme gives you a tangible financial reason to stay well. The better your engagement with the programme, the higher your potential discount at renewal time.
Key Features at a Glance:
This system is designed for individuals and small businesses (SMEs) who are looking for a straightforward way to reduce the long-term cost of their private health cover.
The path to securing your discount is based on accumulating points throughout your policy year. Aviva has designed a simple structure where different healthy activities are worth a set number of points. The more you do, the more you earn.
Here are the primary ways to earn points:
The points you collect over the 12 months of your policy year determine the discount applied to your premium at renewal. While the exact thresholds can be adjusted by Aviva, the structure is designed to be clear and motivating.
Here is an illustrative example of how the points-to-discount system typically works:
| Points Earned During Policy Year | Illustrative Discount on Renewal Premium |
|---|---|
| 0 - 499 | 0% |
| 500 - 999 | 5% |
| 1,000 - 1,499 | 10% |
| 1,500 - 1,999 | 15% |
| 2,000+ | 20% or more (subject to policy terms) |
Important Note: The discount is applied to your renewal premium. It's a reward for a year of healthy living, not an instant saving. This "delayed gratification" model is a key feature of Aviva's approach.
Let's imagine David, a 42-year-old marketing manager in Manchester. He has an Aviva Healthier Solutions policy. Here’s how he could earn a 15% discount in a year:
Total Points for David: 500 + 200 + 840 + 100 = 1,640 points.
Based on the table above, David would earn a 15% discount on his private medical insurance renewal premium. If his premium was £1,200 for the year, he would save £180 on his next policy.
To make tracking seamless, the Aviva MyWellbeing app syncs with a wide range of popular fitness apps and wearable devices. You don't need to manually enter your steps or workouts; you simply connect your preferred device and let the technology do the work.
Commonly supported platforms include:
Setting it up is usually a straightforward process within the Aviva app. You simply go to the 'Connected Devices' section, choose your device or app, and authorise it to share activity data with Aviva. This integration is key to making the programme feel effortless for the user.
While Aviva offers a compelling programme, it's impossible to discuss wellness rewards in the UK without mentioning Vitality, the provider that pioneered the concept. Understanding their different philosophies is key to choosing the right policy for you.
Vitality's programme is built around constant engagement and immediate rewards. Aviva's is focused on a single, major annual financial benefit.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two approaches:
| Feature | Aviva My Healthy Discount | Vitality Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Reward | A discount (up to 20%+) on your renewal premium. | A mix of renewal discounts and immediate, ongoing rewards. |
| Reward Frequency | Annually, at policy renewal. | Daily, weekly, and monthly (e.g., free coffee, cinema tickets, Amazon Prime). |
| "Gamification" | Low. The focus is on a single, long-term financial goal. | High. Uses status levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) and weekly targets to drive constant engagement. |
| Complexity | Simple and easy to understand. Earn points, get a discount next year. | More complex. Involves tracking activity points, understanding status levels, and redeeming various rewards. |
| Partner Rewards | Fewer consumer brand partners. Focus is on health services and the premium discount. | Extensive network of partners (Caffè Nero, Odeon, Waitrose, Apple, Expedia). |
| Best For... | People who want a simple, "set-and-forget" financial incentive for staying healthy. | People who are motivated by frequent, tangible rewards and enjoy a "gamified" approach to their health. |
| Example Incentive | "Walk 10,000 steps a day this year and save £200 on your next premium." | "Hit your activity target this week and get a free coffee and a cinema ticket." |
There is no single "better" programme; it entirely depends on your personality and what motivates you.
Choose Aviva if: You prefer a straightforward, no-fuss system. The idea of one large financial reward at the end of the year is more appealing to you than small, weekly treats. You want to be rewarded for being healthy without feeling pressured to constantly interact with an app.
Choose Vitality if: You thrive on gamification and regular feedback. The promise of a free coffee for an active week gets you moving. You enjoy the ecosystem of partner benefits and are happy to engage more actively to unlock them.
As an expert PMI broker, WeCovr can provide detailed quotes for both Aviva and Vitality, helping you compare the specific policy terms and potential rewards based on your individual circumstances.
To help you decide, let's summarise the key advantages and potential drawbacks of Aviva's programme.
Pros:
Cons:
It is vital for anyone considering private medical insurance in the UK to understand what it is designed for. This knowledge prevents disappointment at the point of claim.
PMI is for acute conditions that arise after you take out your policy.
Furthermore, pre-existing conditions—any illness or injury you have had symptoms or treatment for before your policy starts—are also excluded from standard cover. Insurers use two main methods to handle this:
Choosing between Aviva, Vitality, Bupa, AXA, and the many other providers can feel overwhelming. This is where an independent, expert broker like WeCovr becomes your most valuable asset.
Rather than spending hours trying to decipher policy documents yourself, a 15-minute call with one of our advisors can give you all the clarity you need.
Wellness-linked insurance is a fantastic way to take control of your health and your premiums. Whether the straightforward annual discount from Aviva or the daily perks from Vitality appeal more, the most important step is finding the right underlying private medical insurance policy.
Ready to explore how a wellness-linked policy could work for you?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from WeCovr today and let our friendly experts find the perfect private health cover for your needs and budget.






