Concern over the state of the NHS is prompting a surprisingly high number of people to consider taking out private medical insurance (PMI) says the Consumers' Association.
Its latest research shows that 40% of those questioned would look at going private to avoid NHS waiting lists. Of these, 84% do not have existing medical insurance to fall back on.
According to the Consumers' Association, most of those thinking about buying private cover were employed and in higher socio-economic groups, but a third of the less affluent would also consider it.
Sally Williams, principal policy adviser at the Consumers' Association said: "Our survey has many lessons for the next government. It reflects badly on the NHS that so many will consider getting private treatment because of NHS waits."
The survey involved almost 2,000 adults, said to be a representative sample of the population. But anyone aware of the cost of private medical cover could be in for a nasty shock, according to specialist health insurance intermediary, Stephen Walker, of Brighton-based Medical Insurance Services.
"Many people, including doctors, think the NHS is in a worse state now than before Labour got in. But, the main thing that stops them buying insurance is the price," he said.
Mr Walker said many people who had not bought cover before had initially confused PMI with the much cheaper cash plans on the market, which are offered by companies such as the Hospital Savings Associaation (HSA).
"There is nothing wrong with these, but they simply provide cash if you become ill and are nothing to do with obtaining private treatment." He added that while many people were worried about relying on the NHS, the insurance market remains depressed. "Price is stopping the market from growing. If anything, sales are dropping off, in particular for older people," Mr Walker said.
Mr Walker said a man aged 65 could pay could pay about £180 a month for health insurance. "If someone is in their 30s or 40s, there are age-capped policies that I would recommend. This means cover does not go up each year in line with your age, which happens with most plans. There is also growing interest in self-funding, but in many ways this is a riskier option as no one knows how high their medical bills will be. Insurance is the only way to cover for the unknown."
Claire Cater, head of public affairs for private health provider BUPA, believes otherwise: "What is notable is there has been a 30% increase in the number of people opting to self-pay at our hospitals," Ms Cater said. "People are making active choices about what they want and do not see insurance as the only solution."
Ben Faulkner, a spokesman for health insurer Private Patients Plan (PPP) said: "We have noted that there has been an increased interest in the self-pay market, which is confirmed by the Consumers' Association findings," he said.
Earlier this year, PPP launched Healthy Outlook, a "once-for-a-lifetime high-excess" policy, which Mr Faulkner says is aimed at people who are not insurance minded but who want to cap their exposure to private healthcare costs.
