Howden Life & Health
The Health Gap
How Britain’s medical anxiety is fuelling the shift to private medical care
With NHS waiting lists climbing to 7.3 million*, research by Howden Life & Health reveals the growing toll this is taking on the nation’s mental, physical, and financial wellbeing. From sleepless nights to rising out-of-pocket costs, millions of people are turning to private medical care — either by choice or necessity.
The Health Gap research from Howden Life & Health, explores how access anxiety is reshaping public attitudes to healthcare and workplace benefits, and why private medical insurance (PMI) is fast becoming the UK’s most valued employee perk.
We surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,025 adults in the UK, at least 1,000 of which hold a Private Medical Insurance policy.
The Health Gap Key Findings
Sleepless nation
69%
of UK adults suffer from sleep anxiety.
7.8 million
of those suffering from sleep anxiety, 1 in 5 are kept awake at night say it’s fear of not being able to access medical treatment.
Paying the price of private treatment
27%
of those surveyed and have paid for private care.
15%
of UK adults have had private medical care paid for by someone else.
36%
of those funded by someone else, had treatment paid for by the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’.
£5,700
Average out-of-pocket cost at point of care, while one in five (20%) spent more than £10,000 and one in 17 (6%) more than £20,000.
Private Medical Insurance - a growing priority
60%
of workers say PMI is the #1 employee benefit they would choose if fully funded - ahead of extra holiday (41%) and life insurance (37%).
25
Age after which interest in PMI spikes.
15%
Would buy insurance if given £200 discretionary per month.
of the one in five (22%) who have ever cancelled PMI,
37%
did so because their employer now provides it.
PMI vs paying at the point of need
£5,700+
Typical out-of-pocket treatment cost—PMI premiums are usually much less.
£91.23
The average monthly premium for someone taking out a new medical insurance policy through Howden Life & Health in August 2025 was £91.23 per month (£1,095 annually), based on 923 cases.
How we can help you
With NHS waiting lists at record highs and 1 in 5 people kept awake by fears of not accessing medical treatment, it's clear that health anxiety is becoming a major concern. Employers offering private healthcare aren’t just offering a perk – they’re offering peace of mind.
How we can help you
With NHS waiting lists at record highs and 1 in 5 people kept awake by fears of not accessing medical treatment, it's clear that health anxiety is becoming a major concern. Employers offering private healthcare aren’t just offering a perk – they’re offering peace of mind.
About the research
Between 9-17th April OnePoll surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,025 adults in the UK, at least 1,000 of which hold a Private Medical Insurance policy.
Sources and calculations:
54,196,443 UK adults (ONS)
27% (those who have self-funded medical treatment) is 14,633,040
36% (those who have paid for their kids) of 14,633,040 (those who have paid at all) is 5,267,894
15% (those who have had medical treatment paid for by someone else) is 8,129,466
36% (those whose parents paid for them) of 8,129,466 is 2,926,608