In this iPMI Global private medical insurance and employee benefits article, we answer the top frequently asked questions, when it comes to introducing Value Added Tax (VAT), likely at the standard 20% rate, on private healthcare services in the UK, a significant policy shift from the current VAT-exempt status for most such services.

The latest Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) data on private healthcare admissions published today reveals that there were more private hospital admissions in the UK in 2024 than in any previous year on record.

The full-year data marked the fourth consecutive year of growth in total and insured admissions, with total admissions reaching a record 939,000 (3% above 2023).

LifeSearch, the UK’s leading protection advice specialist, has extended its partnership with specialist military insurer Trinity to provide Private Medical Insurance for veterans and the extended military community.

Launched in 2000, Trinity provides specialist insurance cover for military personnel, veterans, and their families. Serving over 14,000 military customers nationwide, it provides a range of general insurance for individuals – including military kit cover, buildings and contents cover and personal accident cover – as well as cover for military units’ welfare and travel. 

In this iPMI Global Insights article, global healthcare and insurance veteran Brian Piper, explores the benefits of employee assistance programs.

Setting up a business is risky, and entrepreneurs face immense challenges.  Imagine starting a U.S. corporation as an expat, in the Czech Republic, then creating a branch office and subsidiary operations in a foreign country. 

It has been an interesting time with many challenges along the way.

Mercer has released preliminary results from its 2024 National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans.

According to an analysis of responses from over 1,800 US employers, total health benefit cost per employee is expected to rise 5.8% on average in 2025, even after accounting for planned cost-reduction measures. Employers estimated that their cost would rise by about 7%, on average, if they took no action to lower cost. Smaller employers (those with 50-499 employees), which typically have fully insured health plans, have been hit the hardest. They reported that cost would rise by about 9% on average if they took no action to lower cost.

Latest data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) in the UK finds that in January to March 2024 there were more private hospital admissions (238,000) than in any previous quarter on record.

Premier Choice Group (PCG), the Private Medical Insurance and Employee Benefits business of Brown & Brown (Europe), has completed a deal to buy the employee benefits intermediary Advo Group Limited.

In this iPMI Global, Private Medical Insurance In Focus article, leading private medical insurance analyst, Ian Youngman, looks at news from the UK, that employers continue to prioritise employee benefits, even though costs are a big concern.

In this Private Medical Insurance In Focus article, leading private medical insurance analyst, Ian Youngman, takes a look at news that Aviva is set to launch a new health insurance business in Ireland.

Absenteeism from work in the UK is at a 10-year high. A recent survey by CIPD and Simplyhealth found that UK workers were absent an average of 7.8 days a year in 2022, up from 5.8 days before Covid.