New figures from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) reveal that in the first half of 2021 people self-funding hospital-based private treatment made up a third (32.9%) of all private admissions for the first time.
The figures also showed that while from April to June 2019, 50,000 people opted to self-fund private treatment, in the corresponding quarter of 2021 – as pandemic restrictions eased, 65,000 people chose to self fund – equivalent to a 30% increase in people self-funding treatment between these two periods. Self-paying was at its highest among 60 to 79-year-olds.
From April to June 2019, 140,000 insured admissions were recorded. This compares to 122,000 insured admissions in the corresponding quarter of this year.
PHIN revealed the growth in self-pay is particularly evident for certain procedures including cataract surgery and hip replacement with both now more commonly self-funded than paid for through insurance.
When it comes to hip-replacements, 2,200 people paid for their procedure through insurance in the quarter from April to June 2019, while 1,700 self-paid.
Figures for the corresponding quarter in 2021 indicate a reversal in the way people fund their treatment, with 4,700 using their own money compared to 2,500 using insurance.
For private cataract operations, 7,300 people used an insurance policy in quarter from April to June 2019 while 8,100 self-paid. In the same quarter of 2021, 6,100 used insurance compared to 11,400 self-paying.
Pandemic causes people to consider going private
A separate YouGov poll of 2,127 people aged 18 or over across Britain carried out this August and commissioned by PHIN showed more than a fifth of people (22%) were more likely to consider using private healthcare compared to before Covid hit.
According to the survey, 83% of those that are more likely to consider private healthcare believe they can be treated quicker privately for various reasons such as there being more flexible options when booking treatment.
More than seven in ten (71%) cited concerns over NHS waiting lists as a reason why they would consider going private, as the latest NHS figures show 5.7m people on NHS waiting lists.
Affordability is a barrier for many considering private treatment, with 71% citing concerns over the cost of private healthcare. Although six in 10 (62%) said the pandemic had made no difference to whether they would consider going private.
Trend is unsurprising
Matt James, chief executive of the Private Healthcare Information Network, said: “Our poll helps shine a light on how people’s opinions are forming over healthcare since the outset of Covid-19 with more than a fifth saying that since the pandemic they are now more likely to consider going private.
“With hundreds of thousands of NHS and private elective operations lost in 2020 due to the pandemic, and waiting lists consistently in the news, it is perhaps unsurprising to see people considering self-funding private treatment even if they had not done so previously.
“We would say to all those thinking about this route to make sure they are fully informed so they make the choices that are correct for them and to avoid surprises.
“It’s important to ask the right questions about costs as well as the performance of the consultant and hospital facilities. Our website can help people research their private healthcare options, helping them navigate a confusing system, particularly those self-paying.”