This year is set to be another record year for private health insurance as clearing service Healthcode validated more than 2.96 million invoices in the first quarter of the year.
This was up 6% on Q1 2024 when it completed 2.79 million invoices, which was worth more than £1.3bn to healthcare providers.
It revealed more unique insured patients received treatment in private hospitals in Q1 compared with the same period in 2024 with most being seen for musculoskeletal issues.
Invoice volumes in orthopaedics and trauma were up 9% year-on-year for the quarter which meant this remained the biggest hospital speciality.
All private hospitals and more than 70% of practitioners, practices and clinics submit invoices to all the major insurers through Healthcode’s clearing service.
The Q1 data also showed that a large volume of hospital patients were able to receive care and return home the same day; quarterly invoice volumes for outpatients far exceeded those for admitted care (2.5 million compared with 282,000) and many admitted care patients were seen as day cases.
Outpatient costs outstrip inpatient
Most invoices were from non-hospital settings but both hospital and non-hospitals saw an average 6% year-on-year growth over Q1.
Within hospitals, there were 2.5 million invoices for outpatient care in Q1, up 7%, and 282,000 invoices for admitted care – up 1%.
The total value of outpatient invoices is exceeding those of admitted care for the first time, the firm noted.
Orthopaedics and trauma ranked as the biggest hospital specialty in terms of invoice volume with 188,000 in Q1, up 9%.
Radiology was the second largest hospital specialty with 121,000 invoices and while this was a fall of 4%, the previous year had seen a sharp rise in volumes.
Radiology was also the only one of the top 10 hospital specialtiesnot to see a year-on-year increase in quarterly volumes.
Hospital physiotherapy saw the biggest increase of 19%, although the vast majority of physiotherapy happens in non-hospital settings, with non-hospital volumes up 14%.
Countries and regions
While most private healthcare takes place in England, hospital invoice volumes were up across all UK countries with year-on-year growth of 20% in Northern Ireland, 19% in Scotland, 5% in England and 3% in Wales.
All English regions witnessed growth in Q1, from the South West which was up 11% to the North East that rose 1%. Invoice volumes in London rose by an average 5%.
Peter Connor, managing director at Healthcode, (pictured) said: “Our Q1 data shows that providers are on track to treat a record number of insured patients this year, many of whom will be choosing private healthcare for the first time.
“This is a great vote of confidence but it also presents a challenge to the sector to meet this growing demand and ensure patients have the best possible experience.”