The study, part of Howden’s Health Gap research, found more than one in four adults (27%) have funded treatment themselves, with one in seven spending over £15,000. Of those, 59% paid for their own care, while many also stepped in to fund treatment for family members, including children (36%), partners (35%), and parents (24%).
The most common reasons for self-funding were diagnostic tests and scans (22%), injuries (19%), and mental health services (15%).
The findings come as NHS league tables reveal eight in ten hospital trusts in England are “off track” on performance, exposing stark postcode variations in access to care. With NHS waiting lists now reaching 7.3 million, pressure on the public system is intensifying — and driving more people towards private options.
Ian Sawyer, Commercial Director at Howden Life and Health, said: “With NHS waiting lists continuing to rise, a postcode lottery dictating the quality and speed of treatment, and one in five people losing sleep over fears of not being able to access the care they need, it’s clear that health anxiety is becoming a major concern for millions. That growing unease is reflected in the sharp increase in searches for PMI over the past year and the fact that more than a quarter of people have already self-funded treatment in the past five years.”
Demand for PMI is rising fast. Howden’s research shows that six in ten adults (60%) would choose employer-funded health insurance over any other workplace benefit, ahead of extra holidays (41%), paid time off (40%) or life insurance (37%). Online searches mirror the trend, with “cheap health insurance” queries up 46% year on year, and “health insurance quotes” up 53%.
Sawyer added: “As pressure on public healthcare builds, demand for flexible, reliable access to private care is only rising. And while many still feel PMI is a luxury, it’s worth exploring the options available—there are more affordable and adaptable solutions than many people realise.
“In August 2025, the average monthly cost of a new medical insurance policy arranged through Howden Life and Health was £91.23. For those who already have health insurance, regularly reviewing your options is one of the smartest ways to avoid overpaying while still feeling confident in your cover. More than half of our clients saved over £500 a year by switching insurers at renewal through our market review—often keeping the same level of protection, or even improving it.”
