Self-funding routine healthcare operations on the rise: PHIN

For routine procedures such as hip replacements

John Brazier
clock • 2 min read

New data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) shows people in the UK are increasingly turning to self-funding private treatment over using insurance.

With NHS waiting lists now reaching to 5.7 million people, PHIN has found an increase in people self-financing their care compared to using insurance policies, which do not typically cover pre-existing conditions. Figures from PHIN show that during the first half of 2021, self-funding hospital-based private treatment comprised one third (32.9%) of all private admissions for the first time.    During the second quarter of the year (April-June) 65,000 people opted to self-fund private treatment, compared to 50,000 during the same time period in 2019, representing a rise of 30% in people...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on PMI

What do customers actually want from PMI?
PMI

What do customers actually want from PMI?

Products, regulation and the NHS

Cameron Roberts
clock 15 October 2026 • 5 min read
NHS waiting list increases to 7.33m
PMI

NHS waiting list increases to 7.33m

July 2026 data

Jaskeet Briah
clock 10 September 2026 • 2 min read
Self-pay PMI admissions hit highest level in Q1 2026
PMI

Self-pay PMI admissions hit highest level in Q1 2026

Slight decline in insured admissions

Jaskeet Briah
clock 08 September 2026 • 2 min read