Main Reason For Private Healthcare is Diagnostics, Says Howden Survey

If you feel something is wrong, then the top priority is getting the problem diagnosed and a treatment plan in place. This is something where the NHS is consistently failing, right from the first point of contact which is usually a GP appointment. Here’s the word;

The top reason for Private Medical Insurance (PMI) claims in the past five years was for diagnostic tests and scans, with mental health services high on the list for younger claimants, according to new research from Howden Life and Health.

As part of its Health Gap research, Howden surveyed 2,000 UK adults, and found that four in ten (42%) of PMI policyholders made a claim on their insurance in the past five years, with men and younger people the most likely to make a claim.

Howden discovered that male policyholders are more likely to make a claim (47% did) than women (38%) while younger people are almost three and a half times more likely to claim on their PMI than older people; 57% of PMI holders under 24 made at least one claim in the past five years compared with just 17% of those aged 65 and over.

Of those who have made a claim, overall, the most common reason was for diagnostic tests and scans, followed by Injuries and rehabilitation and physiotherapy, with optical treatments and eye and ear conditions making up the top five; however, Howden found that, the type of claim changes significantly by age.

For those over 65, optical treatment and physiotherapy were the top two types of claims, while mental health services were right down the list at number 9. However, young adults (18-24) and those aged 45-54, were much more likely to make mental health related claims; mental health services are 2nd most common for Gen X, with 18% making a claim and 4^th for Gen Z (24%) – full table at end of release.

Top 10 claim categories by age group (% in brackets is % that have made a claim in the past 5 years)

Jon Carroll, Executive Director at Howden Life & Health, said: “Our research underlines the crucial role Private Medical Insurance plays in helping people access timely diagnosis and treatment – particularly when NHS waiting times for key services are under significant strain. Although NHS England data published in January 2026¹ shows the waiting list has fallen significantly from its peak, NHS targets  state that fewer than 1% of patients should wait longer than six weeks for diagnostic tests such as MRIs and CT scans², and more than one in five patients are currently waiting beyond the NHS six week target³, with around 1.7 million people are on the waiting list for a test overall.

“Against this backdrop, it’s no surprise that diagnostic tests and scans are the most common reason for PMI claims. Quick access to imaging can be vital for spotting issues early, from potential cancers to neurological or musculoskeletal conditions, and private cover helps people avoid prolonged uncertainty.”

“What’s also particularly striking is the growing reliance on PMI for mental health support among younger adults.”

This is against a backdrop of increasing demand on mental health services; according to NHS data, people are eight times more likely to wait over 18 months for mental health treatment than physical health treatment. ⁴

Carroll continues: “With one in five under-25s making a mental health-related claim, it’s clear that access to prompt, specialist care is becoming increasingly important for this generation. At the same time, older policyholders are using PMI in very different ways, reflecting how healthcare needs evolve over our lifetimes.

“The message for consumers is that PMI isn’t just about covering major illness – it’s about everyday health concerns, early intervention and ongoing wellbeing. Having the right cover in place, and reviewing it regularly with professional advice, can ensure policies continue to meet people’s changing needs and deliver real value when they need it most.”