3.4 million people in the UK now have a private medical insurance policy

The number of individuals taking out private medical insurance policies has risen for the first time in ten years. Despite the relatively low increase of 1.8%, experts are describing it as an important rise. Overall, the total number of people subscribing to a private health insurance plan rose by 3.4% in 2006 to give 3.4 million people in the UK reaping the many benefits of medical cover.

The figures taken from the Ipsos MORI research also found that in all, 12% of consumers now have private medical insurance and the numbers are expected to continue to rise between 2007 and 2012. This means that private medical insurance is now the most popular type of health insurance cover, above other products like dental policies and critical illness insurance.

There has also been a predicted rise in the number of people taking out group policies in the next four years. Medical insurance for companies and employees is available and there are many advantages to policies such as these. Not only does the employer have the knowledge that their employees health and well being is being looked after, but the availability of regular health checks means that the number of staffing hours lost to sickness is reduced.