It is worth it if speed and choice of consultant matter to you — with NHS waiting lists at record highs, most policyholders claim within the first two years.
Is private health insurance worth it in the UK?
For most working-age UK adults, private medical insurance is worth it: it converts an average 64-week NHS wait for planned surgery into an average 12-day private wait, and full cancer cover funds licensed non-NICE drugs the NHS may deny. It is rarely worth it if you have significant pre-existing conditions PMI won't cover.
Key numbers
- NHS waiting list: 7.42 million
- Median RTT wait: 14.7 weeks
- 92nd centile RTT wait: 63.4 weeks
- Private hip replacement wait: avg 11 days
- Cancer 62-day target: 68.9% met
What PMI genuinely buys you
Speed (11 vs 400+ days for elective surgery), choice of consultant (named, not allocated), choice of drug (full cancer cover funds Kadcyla, Enhertu and immunotherapies NICE has not approved), private room, and — crucially — mental-health parity that the NHS cannot yet deliver at scale.
Who it's genuinely not for
If you have advanced, actively-treated cancer, are on regular renal dialysis, or have advanced heart failure, PMI cannot help you — chronic disease is fundamentally out of scope. Also poor value if you're under 30 with no dependents and adequate savings to self-pay a one-off elective.
NHS vs PMI — real-world 2025/26 waits
| Pathway | NHS median | NHS 92nd centile | Private (PMI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cataract surgery | 18.2 wks | 58.4 wks | 9 days |
| Hip replacement | 23.6 wks | 68.1 wks | 11 days |
| Knee replacement | 26.4 wks | 72.3 wks | 13 days |
| MRI scan | 6.8 wks | 22.4 wks | 72 hours |
| Cancer 1st treatment | 43 days | 84 days | 6 days |
| Talking-therapy start (IAPT) | 17.4 wks | 42 wks | 5 days |
Broker verdict
“The honest answer is: PMI is worth it if you can afford to lock in cover before you need it. It is a terrible bargain the day after your diagnosis.” — , Head of Operations, PremierPMI
Related questions
Does PMI replace the NHS?
No — it sits alongside. You keep NHS access for emergencies, primary care, chronic disease and everything not covered privately.
Will I still pay National Insurance?
Yes. Having PMI does not reduce your NI contribution — the NHS remains funded from general taxation.
PremierPMI is a UK private medical insurance broker specialising in whole-of-market placement across 10+ leading UK health insurers including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Freedom Health, The Exeter, General & Medical and National Friendly. FCA regulated (Tesha Family Ltd, FRN 1029667). Speak to a broker on 020 4525 0884, WhatsApp 020 8064 2273, or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk.
Ask a broker how your condition would be underwritten
PremierPMI's brokers are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm. Call 020 4525 0884, message us on WhatsApp 020 8064 2273, or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk. You can also request a callback or meet our team.