Research from Howden Life and Health has shown that 27% of Brits have self-funded private medical treatment in the last five years.
The research, which surveyed 2,000 UK adults, showed the average ‘out of pocket' treatment spend was £6,000, with one in seven of those surveyed spending more than £15,000.
Of those who paid for treatment, 59% paid for their own treatment, 36% funded treatment for a child and 35% funded treatment for their partners.
Diagnostic tests and scans (22%); injuries (19%); and mental health services (15%) were the most common reasons for self-funded treatment over the last five years.
Ian Sawyer, commercial director, Howden Life and Health, said: "With NHS waiting lists continuing to rise, a postcode lottery dictating the quality and speed of treatment, and one in five people losing sleep over fears of not being able to access the care they need, it's clear that health anxiety is becoming a major concern for millions."
Howden said that the growing list and wait times were key drivers for renewed interest in private medical insurance. It saw that searches for ‘cheap health insurance' and ‘health insurance quotes' were up 46% and 53% year-on-year, respectively.
Sawyer said: "That growing unease is reflected in the sharp increase in searches for PMI over the past year and the fact that more than a quarter of people have already self-funded treatment in the past five years."
Of those surveyed, 60% said if their employer were to fully fund a workplace benefit, they would choose private medical insurance. This statistic places it above extra holiday allowance (41%), paid time off (40%) and life insurance (37%).
Sawyer said: "As pressure on public healthcare builds, demand for flexible, reliable access to private care is only rising.
"While many still feel PMI is a luxury, it's worth exploring the options available - there are more affordable and adaptable solutions than many people realise."
