The 21st edition of LaingBuisson’s Health Cover UK Market Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the UK health cover market, valued at £8.64 billion at the start of 2025, following 13.83% year-on-year growth. The report covers private medical cover, health cash plans, dental insurance, and dental capitation/maintenance plans, with private medical cover alone now accounting for £7.02 billion and covering 8.43 million people. This equates to 12.2% of the UK population, which is the strongest market coverage there has been since 2008.
As mentioned on BBC Radio 4's Money Box programme, the latest Health Cover UK Market Report now covers full returns to year-end 2024. Combined with the fact that LaingBuisson’s surveys consistently receive responses from over 90% of the health cover market, the report provides a uniquely comprehensive picture of a thriving market. In addition to the latest data, LaingBuisson has also partnered with private healthcare technology specialists Healthcode to provide additional detail in the form of further commentary of in-year activity volumes and regional insights by speciality activity.
The report examines a market increasingly shaped by rising demand for private healthcare and structural pressures in the NHS, alongside consolidation and investment activity within the health cover space. Notable trends include the growth of dental cover, employer-driven growth in health cash plans, and the strengthening role of private medical cover in meeting the needs of individuals seeking faster access to treatment.
Featuring at least 20 years of market data, LaingBuisson is able to provide comprehensive data, charts and insights up until the end of 2024, comparing over five-, ten- and twenty-year Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGRs). This long term trend analysis and comprehensive market analysis of the four core segments make it a model publication for insurers, investors, operators, and policymakers navigating both its growth opportunities and operational pressures.
This report supports decision-making for:
- Health cover providers, insurers, and dental plan operators seeking market insight
- Private equity firms and institutional investors active in healthcare and insurance
- Corporate strategy and M&A teams assessing consolidation opportunities
- Policymakers, regulators, and NHS commissioners shaping healthcare provision
- Strategic consultants and market analysts in healthcare services
- Workforce planners and professional bodies monitoring insurance coverage trends
- Suppliers and service providers supporting insurers (technology, marketing, administration)
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