One in five borrowers use credit to fund private healthcare, research finds

Almost one in five people who accessed private healthcare in the last six months funded their treatment using credit cards or personal loans, according to research from The Exeter, highlighting the financial pressures facing those seeking faster access to care.

The insurer’s Consumer Health and Finance Tracker found that a third (33%) of UK adults are unsure whether the NHS could fully meet their needs if they became ill. Confidence was lowest among those aged 45 to 54, with 44% uncertain they would be able to access sufficient care. At the same time, 43% of adults said they had used at least one private healthcare service in the previous six months, while 49% expect NHS waiting times to increase over the next six months.

Dental treatment was the most commonly used private healthcare service, accessed by 20% of respondents, followed by mental health support and private GP appointments, both at 10%. While 24% of private healthcare users funded treatment through an insurance product, 19% relied on credit cards or personal loans. Men were more likely than women to use borrowing to pay for private healthcare, at 23% compared with 15%.

The research also found notable differences across age groups. Younger adults were far more likely to use private healthcare, with 60% of those aged 18 to 34 accessing services in the last six months, compared with 25% of people aged 55 and over. Mental health support showed the largest generational divide, with 17% of those aged 25 to 34 using private services compared with 3% of those aged 55 and above.

Dawn Prescott, head of healthcare proposition at The Exeter, said: “These findings highlight that many people are thinking carefully about how they would access care if needed, particularly within a system managing high levels of demand.

“With a third of UK adults uncertain about how quickly or easily they would be able to access care, this suggests that many people are considering their options.

“The fact that nearly one in five are funding private treatment through credit or a loan suggests that for many, that concern is already translating into action without the right financial foundation in place.

“Raising awareness of what healthcare insurance policies can provide can help people take a more planned approach. As views on NHS provision remain mixed, helping ensure people have access to appropriate cover before a health need arises can support better preparation for the future.”