The number of patients receiving treatment through private medical insurance (PMI) rose in the first quarter of the year to reach a new record level since before the pandemic hit.
Data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) showed 156,000 insured patients received treatment between January and March 2023. There were 18,000 more insured admissions than in the same period in 2022.
This was up 4.7% from 149,000 over the final quarter of last year. This figure marked the highest level for PMI treatment since the final of quarter of 2019 when it hit 148,000.
Self-pay admissions bounced back to 71,000 in the first quarter of the year 2023 after having fallen slightly in the middle of 2022. They returned to similar levels to the same period in 2022, which had the joint highest ever levels (72,000 in Q2 2021 and Q1 2022).
The number of insured admissions rose in every English region (+13% across England) and in Scotland (+23%), but fell in Northern Ireland (-6%) and Wales (-1%).
While the total number of self-pay admissions increased again slightly, there was a mixed picture across the UK. Increases were reported in each of the devolved nations and three English regions (Yorkshire and The Humber, West Midlands, and North East), but there was a decrease in the remaining six English regions (South West, South East, North West, London, East of England and East Midlands).
The biggest increase in self-pay admissions was reported in Wales (+18%).
The number of insured admissions increased for eight in 10 of the most common procedures when comparing Q1 2022 to Q1 2023. Of the two that decreased, cataract admissions was just marginally lower than in Q1 2022.
The largest increase was in diagnostic colonoscopy – bowel, and the biggest decrease was in therapeutics – chemotherapy.
While the number of consultants active in private healthcare regularly fluctuates, the data revealed this number reached its highest level for over three years in March 2023 hitting 9,000.
Dr Chris Smith-Brown, clinical adviser at the PHIN, said: “Following a record year in 2022, the first three months of 2023 continued the trend and we saw the highest levels of private healthcare admissions, including the highest number of insurance-funded admissions since the PHIN began collecting data.
“There are a variety of factors influencing the growth in private healthcare admissions, with the long NHS waiting lists, and particularly the uncertainty around how long you’ll be waiting, key among them.
“There is also an increased understanding of patient choice, and we encourage people to visit our website – www.phin.org.uk – to find out information about the providers who will treat them if they choose to use an independent hospital.”
David Hare, CEO of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), added: “The latest data from PHIN shows record numbers of patients choosing to use the private sector to access healthcare.
“Since the pandemic we have seen a significant increase in the numbers of patients choosing private healthcare – paying for this either by their own means, or through insurance.
“It’s notable to see the strong growth in insurance-based admissions in the most recent quarters, which insurers have also been reporting.
“The demand for self-pay has increased considerably since the pandemic, having established itself at a much higher level than before – there are around 70,000 admissions every quarter compared to 50,000 in 2019.
“We know that many patients are exploring their options, largely because of the very long NHS waiting lists. It’s no surprise that with NHS waiting times at record levels and continuing to climb, patients are choosing to pay to get the care they need.
“This includes not only significant procedures or surgery, but diagnostics too and GP appointments – providers are also reporting significant growth in those areas.
“Our research tells us that the most important factor in people choosing to self-pay for care is long NHS waiting lists, but also that nearly three quarters of people who’ve used private healthcare feel positive or very positive about it, which is a reflection of the high quality care that is on offer across the sector.”