New research from independent consultancy Broadstone shows that almost a third of employers who don’t already offer private medical insurance to employees are considering doing so within the next three years as pressure on the NHS continues to rise.
The data shows that the percentage of organisations without PMI but with definite plans to introduce it rose from 9% in 2023 to 11% in 2025, with those considering it increasing from 15% to 20%.
Those with no PMI plans on the horizon fell from 74% to 68%, reflecting a growing interest likely driven by organisations recognising the importance of timely healthcare access for their employees.
The growth in healthcare benefits is seen across other areas. The proportion of employers offering clinic-based screenings rose from 20% in 2023 to 25% with the proportion of businesses providing onsite day screenings increased from 7% to 10%.
Likewise, the health cash plan market expanded in 2024 which is reflected in the proportion of businesses offering this service to employees moving from 24% in 2023 to 26% in 2025. Over a quarter (26%) of employers are considering introducing a health cash plan in the next three years.
Last week, the ABI reported that health insurers processed a record £4 billion in individual and workplace private medical insurance claims in 2024 – up 13% compared to 2023 (£3.57bn). The total number of people covered by health insurance increased 4% from 2023 to reach 6.5 million in 2024, of which 4.8 million were covered by workplace policies.
Brett Hill, head of health and protection at Broadstone, commented: “Healthcare benefits, such as private medical insurance (PMI) and health cash plans are becoming an essential part of benefits packages, especially in competitive industry sectors. The NHS remains under significant pressure which means that businesses increasingly view access to timely diagnosis and treatment as a critical factor in supporting employee wellbeing, productivity and retention.
“What’s particularly striking is the growing pipeline of employers actively planning to introduce or expand healthcare benefits over the next few years. Organisations are also taking a more preventative approach, with greater uptake of screenings and health cash plans, reflecting a broader shift towards early intervention and long-term workforce resilience.”
