Younger adults open their minds to private medical insurance

Higher expectations of healthcare in the UK are leading to an increasing acceptance of private medical insurance (PMI), especially within the 18-24 market, BUPA's national Health of the Nation survey reveals.

The major annual survey of the general public's attitudes and behaviours regarding health and lifestyle, found that the proportion of those who don't believe in private healthcare has fallen seven percent since 2000 to 26 percent among this age group.

Clean hospitals, no waiting lists and faster access to specialists are all high on the list of reasons for the increasing warmth in attitude towards private healthcare.

Sixty-eight percent of those interviewed believe that with PMI you can get quicker and better healthcare, more than one in three (38%) of those without PMI say that they would consider paying for private care and nearly three quarters (74%) of all PMI holders surveyed would recommend it to friends and family.

The first rise in demand for PMI in five years confirmed by independent market analyst Laing and Buisson further strengthens BUPA's findings.

Stephen Flanagan, commercial director of BUPA UK membership, says: "Attitudes to personal healthcare are changing with the younger generation seemingly taking the lead with regards to being more responsible for their health and wellbeing rather than leaving it to chance.

"BUPA is responding to this demand by increasing its presence in the positive health territory. We now offer a number of products and services that help encourage individual health and wellbeing. These initiatives sit perfectly alongside PMI and afford extra peace of mind for members."

Top ten reasons for taking out PMI:

Clean hospitals 65%
No waiting lists/less pain 60%
No waiting lists/faster recovery 59%
Faster access to specialists 58%
Able to see same consultant 55%
Better quality treatment/advice 54%
See specialist at time to suit me 49%
Able to choose location to suit me 48%
No waiting lists/faster return to work 47%
Hospital more comfortable 43%