The private medical insurance (PMI) market continues to grow, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. With more people turning to private healthcare for quicker access to treatment and tailored options, insurers are stepping up to meet growing demand.
But what could the future hold?
Based on current industry discussions, here are seven exciting trends we might see evolve in 2025.
Want to stay ahead of the curve with your own employee benefits offering? Contact Engage Health Group’s award-winning consultants on 01273 974419 or [email protected] for FREE advice and policy analysis.
1. Innovations in preventative services
Prevention is better than cure, and insurers have been working hard to deliver more preventative services within their policies. By focusing on preventative care, they aim to help people avoid serious health issues and reduce long-term claims.
- Experts have recently highlighted the need for a stronger focus on cancer prevention in the UK, so look out for more comprehensive screening programs.
- The UK government recently secured a tech deal to improve early cancer detection
- Wellness incentives, like gym discounts or wearable health trackers, are continuing to evolve with new features and functionality that put ease-of-use at its core.
This shift isn’t just about saving money. It’s about encouraging healthier habits and catching problems early.
As claims spiral, we can expect to see insurers continue to innovate in this area.
2. Support for neurodiversity
As awareness of neurodiversity grows, so does the demand for services to support people with conditions like ADHD and autism. Insurers are starting to recognise this and may expand their policies to meet the need.
- Benefits could include more diagnostic assessments, therapy, and even workplace support for neurodiverse employees.
- Employers may see more tools and resources aimed at creating inclusive work environments.
Zurich UK’s decision to offer neurodiversity assessments for staff shows how this trend has been gaining traction. Meanwhile, Aviva offers a Neurodevelopment Pathway on its corporate plans.
So far, efforts have focused on diagnosis. Could 2025 be the year we see specialist advice and support for neurodivergent people post-diagnosis?
Further reading: The real truth about neurodiversity in the workplace.
3. More self-help options
Insurers are ramping up their digital tools for a generation that prefers to manage everything online. Self-service platforms and apps are becoming the norm, giving policyholders more control over their healthcare.
- Expect to see apps where you can book GP appointments, track claims, or access mental health support.
- Self-help tools like symptom checkers and guided therapy sessions might also be on offer.
By catering to Gen Z and future generations, digitising healthcare and providing direct access to what they need can empower people to manage their health more efficiently.
4. Gender-specific health services
Healthcare isn’t one-size-fits-all, and insurers are tailoring their offerings to meet gender-specific needs.
- Women’s health services could include maternity support, menopause care, and dedicated GP options.
- Men’s health services could cover prostate health, heart care, fertility issues and mental health.
Examples of this trend include:
- Simplyhealth’s women’s free health GP option: Provided by HealthHero, these women-focused GP services are now accessible to all customers with the insurer’s health plans and can be used 24/7 via the app or customer portal. This benefit provides quicker care and allows patients to access GPs specializing in women’s health.
- Aviva’s updates to pregnancy-related cover: Aviva has added six pregnancy complications and more child-specific illnesses to its critical illness cover. Experts hope other insurers will follow, as these changes could significantly help families during tough times.
- Juniper, a reproductive healthcare insurance provider, recently secured £1.5m in pre-seed funding.
Prediction: We can expect to see more gender-specific innovations in 2025.
Would your business benefit from FREE admin support on your health insurance policy? Contact our expert advisors for a no-obligation consultation. Email us on [email protected] or call 01273 974419.
5. Innovations in AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming everything, and that includes health insurance. Insurers are beginning to use AI to make services faster, smarter, and more personalised.
- Claims processing could become quicker and smoother, cutting down on frustrating delays.
- AI might also help identify at-risk individuals, offering tailored advice to prevent health issues before they escalate.
- Chatbots will be increasingly able to handle policy queries
Companies like Everest are already using AI to enhance their offerings. For example, the company uses cutting-edge technology in Singapore to match patients and their medical needs with relevant healthcare providers. This saves time and cuts costs for both employers and employees.
AI can be controversial too, especially if used to process claims without human oversight. Either way, for good and bad you can expect to see more AI innovations around health insurance policies in 2025.
6. Mental health support
Expect to see continued attention on mental health support as increasing numbers of people seek out support.
“I was shocked to learn during a meet with one insurer that their highest claims included in-patient mental health,” said Jo Bills, International Client Support Manager at Engage Health Group.
“Historically it’s always been cardio and cancer, but in-patient mental health is definitely a bit of a shift. We’ve always known that out-patient mental health support has been popular but the fact that this has now crossed over into in-patient care really surprised me.”
It’s an issue that predominantly seems to be affecting younger people. The demand for in-patient facilities may reflect a lack of support provided at an earlier stage.
Preventative solutions will surely be a continued area of attention. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) will be in high demand and you can expect to see continued innovations in wellness apps.
7. Global healthcare support
More companies of all sizes are hiring abroad. This poses a challenge for companies seeking to provide health cover to all their employees wherever they are in the world.
Corporate companies have long faced this challenge, but more SMEs are employing abroad whether via remote workers or through opening new offices abroad.
So, one thing we can expect to see are more policies covering multiple countries under a single scheme.
- Engage Health Group launched Xcelerate, a new international health insurance (IPMI) policy designed for fast-growing businesses, earlier this year.
- AXA Global unveiled a new ‘modular’ IPMI scheme aimed at SMEs last month
We might expect to see more policy innovations designed for SMEs with globally dispersed workers in 2025. Who knows, maybe Engage Health Group will be at the forefront once more?
What does this mean for businesses?
Insurance providers are always searching out new ways to create value for their clients. Many innovations are first rolled out to corporate customers before gradually being made available to smaller businesses.
It can be very difficult to keep up with all the latest product offerings in the employee benefits space, but Engage Health Group is here to give one-to-one advice and assistance.
As an employee benefits consultancy, Engage Health Group stays abreast of all insurer offerings and price points to ensure you get the best advice available.
We will also benchmark your offerings against similar companies, to ensure that you’re offering remains competitive
If you’d like a complimentary quote tailored to your business or analysis of any current schemes you have in place, contact us on 01273 974419 or [email protected]
