Employer-funded insurance helped to drive a record number of private hospital admissions last year, according to the latest data.
Figures from the Private Healthcare Information Network showed that the number of insured admissions hit an annual record of 664,000 in 2024. This is an increase of 6 per cent on the previous year and is 15 per higher than the pre-pandemic levels when there were just a total of 576,000 insurer-funded admissions for the whole of 2019.
The figures, analysed by employee benefit consultants Broadstone, show this is the fourth year that these figures have grown on a consecutive basis.
In contrast the number of self-pay admissions fell for the first time in four years, down 3 per cent from 283,000 in 2023 to 275,000 in 2024. The second half of the year saw the lowest levels in quarterly admissions since Q1 2021, when admissions were at 50,000.
Broadstone says this demonstrates the increased demand from employers for healthcare solutions, including PMI. It adds that this is being driven by concerns about NHS waiting listing impacting staff absences and employers looking to ‘future proof’ productivity and growth through healthcare and employee benefit solutions.
Broadstone head of health & protection Brett Hill says: “Employer demand for health insurance is turbocharging the private healthcare sector, as businesses increasingly recognise its value in keeping staff healthy, productive and present.
“Insurance products like PMI and health cash plans help prevent and treat medical conditions that might otherwise result in people being off work, by enabling fast-track access to services like virtual GPs and health screenings, and providing support for mental health conditions.
“However, amidst this demand, rising claims incidence and the need for more complex, costly treatments – largely due to delayed care – are driving up insurance premiums. This is impacting the affordability of these valuable products and potentially limiting access to the private healthcare sector.
