UK: Nearly 100,000 More Hospital Admissions Paid for by Private Medical Insurance Than Self Pay

Latest data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) in the UK finds that in January to March 2024 there were more private hospital admissions (238,000) than in any previous quarter on record.

An unprecedented number of these paid for using private medical insurance (PMI), rather than being funded directly by the patient (known as self-pay). The biggest increases came in the 20-29 and 30-39 year-old age groups which were both up by 13%.

Q1 2024 at a glance

• Private admissions at highest ever level for a quarter in the UK.
• Growth in use of private medical insurance (PMI) continues with second consecutive record quarter.
• PMI up 6% on same quarter in 2023.
• Self-pay remains steady, but 4% down on same quarter in 2023.
• When comparing Q1 2024 to Q1 2023, the number of admissions funded by private medical insurance rose in every English region.
• The Northeast had the fewest insured admissions (2,000) in these quarters.
• London continued to have the most insured admissions (rising from 56,000 to 61,000), followed by the Southeast (30,000 rising to 31,000).

Richard Wells, Director of Healthcare Informatics at PHIN, said, “Traditionally, the biggest users of private healthcare are those in the 50-59 age group and that hasn’t changed. However, these latest figures suggest that younger generations are also giving more thought to their health and taking out private medical insurance to fund the elective procedures they might require.

“This may because of an increase in the number of employers offering insurance as an incentive, insurers marketing their products in different ways or due to worries about NHS waiting lists and how long it may take to be seen.”

Richard added, “It’s quite a small difference between the sexes, but it would be good to think that men are also considering their health and the plans they need to make, as often men’s health can be something of an afterthought. Our website contains information to help inform patients of their healthcare choices.”

Emily Jones, Client Consulting Director at leading independent consultancy Broadstone, commented, “Following a record 2023, private health admissions continued to surge through the first three months of 2024 to further all-time highs as the NHS crisis pushes hundreds of thousands of patients private. It seems inevitable that we will soon be seeing over a million private health admissions every year.

“It is little surprise that this trend is being almost entirely driven by private medical insurance as employers recognise the threat of poor health which has manifested itself in soaring economic inactivity figures. As a consequence, our clients have elevated healthcare to a Board level priority as they look to rapidly expand coverage of PMI and put in place preventative steps like access to virtual GPs, direct access services and on-site health screenings.

“These strategies aim to help employees catch health issues earlier and then ensure the rapid treatment needed to avoid to more complex, expensive treatments. Until NHS waiting lists come down significantly, we expect to see continued corporate investment in private healthcare solutions to support the wellbeing of their staff.”