MRSA fears boosting private medical insurance

LONDON (Reuters) - Private medical insurance is growing in popularity, with surveys showing fear of dirty NHS hospitals and quicker treatment as the main reasons.

The number of people covered by private medical insurance (PMI) has broken the six million mark for the first time in five years, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Just over six million people were covered by either personal or corporate PMI in 2007, with a further 1.1 million covered through healthcare trust arrangements -- meaning 7.14 million Britons now have some form of private health cover.

Insurer BUPA said it has seen a 20 percent increase in sales in the first three months of 2008, despite the economic downturn.

A BUPA survey of 1,049 people shows that the top reasons for taking out PMI are clean hospitals, no waiting lists, faster access to specialists, better quality treatment and advice, and the ability to chose the time and location of hospital appointments.

Fergus Kee, managing director of Bupa UK Health Insurance, said: "For 65 percent of Britons, access to clean hospitals is the most important reason for taking out PMI. MRSA and general hospital hygiene are clearly top concerns for people.

"People also tell us that they value the fact that PMI gives them access to drugs and treatments not widely available on the

NHS."

Read Reuters consumer finance blog here