Every UK private medical insurance statistic PremierPMI uses — market size, people covered, NHS waits, Which?
UK private health insurance: key facts and statistics
Each figure below is the one we use across our guides, with its source, the period it covers and the date we last checked it.
UK health cover market
How big the UK market is and how many people hold cover.
- UK health cover market value: £8.64 billion Start of 2025, up 13.83% year on year. Covers private medical cover, health cash plans and dental products. Source: LaingBuisson, Health Cover UK Market Report, 21st edition (Start of 2025; checked 15 Oct 2026).
- Private medical cover market value: £7.02 billion Source: LaingBuisson, Health Cover UK Market Report, 21st edition (Start of 2025; checked 15 Oct 2026).
- People covered by private medical cover: 8.43 million (12.2% of the UK population) Source: LaingBuisson, Health Cover UK Market Report, 21st edition (Start of 2025; checked 15 Oct 2026).
- UK adults holding private medical insurance: 14% (one in seven) Source: FCA, Financial Lives 2024 survey: general insurance and protection (2024; checked 15 Oct 2026).
NHS waiting times in England
Consultant-led referral to treatment (RTT) and cancer waiting times, as published by NHS England.
Source: NHS England, Incomplete Provider RTT data, August 2026, published 8 October 2026, all treatment functions, incomplete pathways. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- NHS RTT waiting list, England: 7.37 million incomplete pathways Source: NHS England, Referral to Treatment statistics, August 2026 (published 8 October 2026) (End of August 2026; checked 15 Oct 2026).
- Patients waiting under 18 weeks, England: 65.2% (standard: 92%) Median wait 12.2 weeks. Source: NHS England, Referral to Treatment statistics, August 2026 (published 8 October 2026) (August 2026; checked 15 Oct 2026).
- Told whether they had cancer within 28 days of urgent referral: 79.0% Source: NHS England, Cancer Waiting Times for June 2026, provider-based, provisional (published 13 August 2026) (June 2026; checked 15 Oct 2026).
- Started first cancer treatment within 62 days of urgent referral: 69.9% Source: NHS England, Cancer Waiting Times for June 2026, provider-based, provisional (published 13 August 2026) (June 2026; checked 15 Oct 2026).
| NHS trust | Within 18 weeks | Median wait | Used on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | 69.3% | 11.9 weeks | London guide |
| London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust | 67.2% | 11.9 weeks | London guide |
| Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | 63.9% | 12.8 weeks | Manchester guide |
| Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | 55.8% | 15.5 weeks | Manchester guide |
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | 66.6% | 11.8 weeks | Birmingham guide |
Which? customer scores for PMI insurers
Which?'s April 2026 survey of 931 people who had claimed in the last year. The data is unweighted and samples are small, so read the scores with caution, especially WPA's.
- WPA: 86% (34 respondents) Source: Which?, Best private health insurance 2026 (updated 16 July 2026) (Survey April 2026; checked 15 Oct 2026).
- Bupa: 77% (269 respondents) Source: Which?, Best private health insurance 2026 (updated 16 July 2026) (Survey April 2026; checked 15 Oct 2026).
- AXA Health: 76% (186 respondents) Source: Which?, Best private health insurance 2026 (updated 16 July 2026) (Survey April 2026; checked 15 Oct 2026).
- Aviva: 74% (132 respondents) Source: Which?, Best private health insurance 2026 (updated 16 July 2026) (Survey April 2026; checked 15 Oct 2026).
- Vitality: 72% (99 respondents) Source: Which?, Best private health insurance 2026 (updated 16 July 2026) (Survey April 2026; checked 15 Oct 2026).
Private health insurance cost by age
Average monthly premiums from LifeSearch sample quotes, June 2026 prices, published by Which?. Single non-smoker, OX (Oxford) postcode, standard excess (typically £250), guided hospital list. Your price will differ.
Source: LifeSearch analysis of average sample quotes, June 2026 prices, published by Which? (21 July 2026). Checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Age | Core cover (a month) | Comprehensive cover (a month) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | £32.81 | £55.92 |
| 40 | £40.55 | £71.88 |
| 50 | £56.26 | £95.71 |
| 60 | £80.96 | £138.52 |
| 70 | £126.88 | £214.09 |
| 80 | £177.66 | £280.11 |
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 07515 703307, or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk.
Questions on this? A broker can talk it through
PremierPMI's brokers are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm. Call 020 4525 0884, message us on WhatsApp 07515 703307, or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk. You can also request a callback or meet our team.