Everyday health treatments and appointments such as GP, talking therapies, physiotherapy, and optical, dental and hearing accounted for 70% of all VitalityHealth claims last year.
The insurer also noted that 64% of its GP consultations had resulted in some form of onward referral or service.
Vitality’s Health Claims and Insights Report 2025 highlighted some of the growing trends among health insurance consumers.
An Opinium survey of 1,000 UK private health insurance customers in September found younger people were found to be more likely to use cover to access private GPs, optical and dental and diagnostic tests.
While 76% have used their cover in the past 12 months, 93% of those aged 18 to 34 had used their cover in the last 12 months compared to 46% of those aged over 55.
And 87% of those polled believed insurers should support them in staying healthy and not just at claim.
For overall claims, it added that highly active members saw 27% lower healthcare costs and those who were a healthy weight had a 35% lower risk of hospitalisation.
It also provided data showing those using its consultant list had 25% lower hospital stay, 41% fewer hospital readmissions within 28 days and 17% lower claims costs.
It added that 71% of authorisations in the first seven months of 2025 were started online.
Weight loss injection concerns
However there were some potential warning signs around weight loss medication.
One in four (23%) of health insurance customers surveyed said they had used or were using weight-management medication with a further 26% considering it.
Yet only 19% of those taking or considering it said it was recommended by a GP or healthcare professional, “raising concerns about clinical oversight and appropriate use” the insurer added.
Looking at cancer, the insurer noted that treatment was continuing to rapidly evolve with treatment using new biological and hormone chemotherapies each increasing by 30% respectively between 2019-2024.
While these new therapies and technology can help deliver improved outcomes for patients they also come at a higher cost, which the insurer said reinforced the important role prevention and early intervention play in catching cancer before treatment becomes more complex and costly.
Arun Thiyagarajan, CEO of VitalityHealth (pictured), said: “The insights within this report underscore a pivotal shift in how consumers engage with and use health insurance.
“The surge in Everyday Care usage, and the widespread adoption of digital access and technology are signals of a fundamental transformation in customer expectations and the regular ongoing value and access to care and treatment members are now getting.
“With more of us turning to health insurance for accessible, preventative services or early, quick access to access, there is significant opportunity for the industry to embrace this and better serve customers now, and in their time of need.
“By being proactive with health and treating people earlier in any health journey, we can deliver regular and ongoing value, enable healthier choices, and help people to live in better health for longer.”
