The UK faces an unprecedented rise in private mental health insurance claims as NHS services struggle to meet soaring demand, raising concerns over growing inequalities and the sustainability of current healthcare provisions.
Britain is experiencing an unprecedented surge in mental health claims through private medical insurance, highlighting the growing strain on NHS services and the increasing reliance on the private sector for mental health care. According to a new analysis by leading consultancy Broadstone, spending on mental health treatment via private corporate medical insurance has risen by more than 60 percent over the past three years, the fastest increase ever recorded. Mental health claims now make up 13 percent of all private insurance payouts, up from 8 percent in 2022, although musculoskeletal issues remain the largest category, accounting for nearly 40 percent of claims.
This sharp rise underscores a dual reality: greater awareness and willingness among employees to seek mental health support, combined with lengthy NHS waiting times that push many towards private care. Broadstone’s data, which covers thousands of employees insured through employer-funded group healthcare plans, shows that such corporate cover now accounts for about two-thirds of all private health policies in the UK. Employers are increasingly offering these benefits, sometimes extending cover to dependants and part-time workers, to combat stress, burnout, and depression that affect productivity amid ongoing NHS backlogs.
Experts say the surge in private claims reflects not just improved openness around mental health but a “desperate state” within NHS services struggling to keep up with demand. Over 1.9 million people in England are currently waiting for community mental health treatment, a figure that has climbed nearly 50 percent since 2020. The rising private sector usage mirrors wider personal insurance uptake as waiting lists worsen, with psychotherapy, counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and psychiatric care in particularly high demand.
Further evidence of NHS struggles comes from recent reports revealing significant post-discharge readmission rates and delayed discharges for mental health patients. Nearly 5,000 patients in England were readmitted within a month of discharge in 2022-23, illustrating challenges in continuity of care. Additionally, a shortage of supported housing contributed to more than 109,000 days of delayed discharges in 2023-24, costing the NHS an estimated £71 million. By March 2024, delayed discharge days in mental health units hit a record high of 49,677, the most in at least eight years, largely due to insufficient social care and supported housing availability.
The scale of waiting times paints a bleak picture of rationed mental health services in the NHS. As of April 2025, nearly 1.7 million people awaited community mental health care in England, with 48,000 enduring delays exceeding two years. Compared to physical health treatments, individuals on mental health waiting lists are eight times more likely to wait over 18 months for treatment. Recent analysis highlights that 16,522 people have been waiting more than 18 months for mental health services compared to just over 2,000 for physical health care.
These one-in-every-six private insurance claims for mental health support now surpass the proportion of insurance payouts for cancer care, which has plummeted from 20 percent in 2022 to just 9 percent currently. Broadstone warns that this surge in claims will inevitably push up insurance premiums as the increased demand raises insurers’ costs, with psychological and musculoskeletal conditions driving the highest frequency of claims.
Charity groups and mental health advocates point to the lasting psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic’s lockdowns, social isolation, remote working, and financial pressures. Meanwhile, critics warn that the growing reliance on private healthcare risks creating a two-tier system, where those with insurance access swift therapy, often within days, while millions without coverage face months or years of delays.
This widening gap underscores urgent calls for greater government investment and reform in NHS mental health services, enhanced community support and housing provision for discharged patients, and innovative strategies to reduce backlogs. Until then, the private sector appears set to remain an essential, but costly, safety valve for many struggling with mental health challenges in the UK.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (Express) – Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8
- [2] (The Guardian) – Paragraph 4
- [3] (The Guardian) – Paragraph 4
- [4] (The Guardian) – Paragraph 4
- [5] (Independent) – Paragraph 5
- [6] (ITV) – Paragraph 5
- [7] (Rethink) – Paragraph 5
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent data on the surge in mental health claims through private medical insurance (PMI) in the UK, with figures from 2024 and 2025. Similar reports from Broadstone in October 2025 highlight a 6% increase in PMI claims and a 5% rise in mental health claims spending. ([covermagazine.co.uk](https://www.covermagazine.co.uk/news/4520260/pmi-claims-mental-health-treatments-increase?utm_source=openai)) The Express article provides a comprehensive overview, incorporating these findings and additional context. The inclusion of up-to-date data and analysis suggests a high freshness score. However, the Express article’s reliance on Broadstone’s analysis indicates that the core information may be recycled from Broadstone’s earlier reports. This warrants a slight reduction in the freshness score. Additionally, the Express article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([covermagazine.co.uk](https://www.covermagazine.co.uk/news/4520260/pmi-claims-mental-health-treatments-increase?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Sharon Harwood-Davis, Head of Corporate Healthcare Pricing at Broadstone, discussing the rise in PMI claims and the impact on insurance premiums. These quotes are consistent with statements made in Broadstone’s October 2025 report. ([covermagazine.co.uk](https://www.covermagazine.co.uk/news/4520260/pmi-claims-mental-health-treatments-increase?utm_source=openai)) The consistency of the quotes across sources suggests they are accurately attributed and not fabricated.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Express, a UK-based tabloid newspaper. While the Express is a widely read publication, it is often considered less reliable due to sensationalist reporting. The Express article cites Broadstone, a reputable consultancy, as the primary source of data. The inclusion of quotes from Broadstone’s representative adds credibility. However, the Express’s reputation for sensationalism and potential bias warrants a moderate reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents data on the rise in mental health claims through PMI in the UK, citing figures from Broadstone’s October 2025 report. ([covermagazine.co.uk](https://www.covermagazine.co.uk/news/4520260/pmi-claims-mental-health-treatments-increase?utm_source=openai)) The claims are plausible and align with broader trends in the UK healthcare system, where increased demand for mental health services has been reported. The narrative also discusses the impact on NHS backlogs and the shift towards private healthcare, which is consistent with known challenges in the NHS. The inclusion of specific figures and quotes adds credibility to the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent data on the surge in mental health claims through private medical insurance in the UK, citing figures from Broadstone’s October 2025 report. While the data is current and the claims are plausible, the Express’s reputation for sensationalism and potential bias, along with the reliance on a single source, warrant further verification from additional reputable outlets. Therefore, the overall assessment is ‘OPEN’ with medium confidence.
