Sponsored content
Our health has a direct impact on our quality of life, so taking care of it is key – especially as we get older.
While age is undoubtedly something to celebrate, it does come with an increased risk of health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. It’s, therefore, unsurprising that 74% of over-50s in the UK worry about staying healthy as they age, and 65% are concerned about losing their independence (Age UK).
These concerns are entirely valid, especially with long NHS waiting lists, and Age UK reports that a further 45% of people worry about accessing a GP in person. But, thankfully, there are ways we can take control of our health and gain peace of mind.
For example, more people are considering private health insurance – and statistics from the National Joint Registry revealed that while knee surgeries (among others) rose in 2024, NHS-hosted and funded procedures accounted for less than 50% of these.
This makes sense, as planning for our future health needs is one of life’s most valuable investments. Whether you’re aiming to retire, switch careers, or take on a new business venture, private healthcare plans can help us focus on living life to the full, safe in the knowledge that prompt, reliable treatment is available should we need it.
With this in mind, we’ve partnered with HMCA (Hospital & Medical Care Association), a family-owned provider of healthcare plans for 45 years. HMCA’s plans aren’t available to the general public. Instead, they’re exclusive to members of recognised groups, professional bodies, and associations – including Rest Less – meaning you can receive a more flexible, responsive, personalised service from their friendly, knowledgeable team.
Plans have no age limit and guaranteed acceptance, plus 90% of members saved money when transferring from another provider. Even better, when you transfer to HMCA, any future claims made for acute conditions originating at the time you were participating in your previous plan will be honoured.
HMCA also supports the Woodland Trust’s carbon scheme and makes monthly donations to good causes and projects, so you can rest assured that giving back to the community is at the heart of everything they do.
Below, we’ll explore seven ways that private health insurance can improve quality of life, to help you decide whether it’s right for you.
When you join the HMCA medical plan, you’ll also receive a £100 Amazon, Marks & Spencer, or John Lewis gift card, or £150 off your subscription.
Worried about accessing the NHS care you need?
83% of Rest Less members are worried about accessing the healthcare they need on the NHS#, making fast access to treatment more important than ever.
HMCA private medical cover offers affordable, flexible plans, with 90% of members saving money when they switch. Enjoy peace of mind. Join today and get £150 off your subscription.
#Data from over 1,000 Rest Less members surveyed in 2025
^Data from HMCA members who joined between 01/01/25 and 30/06/25
7 ways private health insurance can improve quality of life
1. Gain peace of mind
It can be difficult not to worry about our health or the health of our loved ones, especially as we age. We don’t know what the future holds or which treatment options will be available if we fall ill, which can add weight to our shoulders.
But taking out private health insurance can bring considerable peace of mind by giving access to quick, reliable care – from diagnostic scans to treatment plans. While private health insurance can’t prevent us from getting ill, it can guarantee that you’ll get the best possible care when you need it. Having this safety net and sense of control over your health can be invaluable, allowing you to navigate life with more confidence and less worry.
You can also spread the cost of private health insurance to ease concerns about cost. For example, a 64-year-old on our Medical Care Plan would pay £178.93 per month.
2. Skip NHS waiting lists and get access to quick, reliable treatment
According to the British Medical Association, the median time for patients waiting to start NHS treatment in June 2025 was 13.4 weeks, a significant increase from the pre-COVID median wait of 7.5 weeks in June 2019. NHS England also states that wait times could be up to 18 weeks, and in June 2025, 7.39 million people were waiting to start NHS treatment in the UK.
Even before the pandemic, the strain that our growing and ageing population was placing on NHS staff and services was clear. Many of us will be familiar with reports of medical staff shortages, overcrowded wards, cancelled operations, and long waiting times.
And while the majority of us can sympathise with NHS staff and services, as well as the pressure they face to deliver, when we fall ill, we still need prompt and reliable treatment. At HMCA, 90% of claims are processed the same day, meaning you can get streamlined access to the care you need.
3. Be diagnosed quicker
Quicker access to healthcare often means taking a faster route to diagnosis, which can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment and improve long-term health outcomes.
With cancer, for example, catching it early could be the difference between life and death; and with Alzheimer’s, an early diagnosis allows the patient and their family to seek support and make informed decisions and plans as early as possible.
4. Get access to specialist treatments and cutting-edge care
Private health insurance often provides access to treatments, medications, and technologies that may not be readily available through the NHS due to cost or resource limitations. This includes newer cancer treatments, minimally invasive surgeries, and advanced diagnostic tools.
Having access to these options can improve recovery times and outcomes, and mean shorter hospital stays and more personalised care – all of which can significantly enhance quality of life.
5. Start enjoying life again sooner
If you fall ill, waiting for a diagnosis or to start treatment due to NHS wait times can be a mental and physical burden. This time can bring on stress, worry, and prolonged pain, and, if you’re still working, may mean that you have to take long-term sick leave and lose money.
While having a private healthcare plan won’t stop you from getting ill, it does mean that you can seek help at the first signs of any symptoms, get the treatment you need more quickly, and have the best chance at a quick recovery. This means you can get back to doing the things in life that you enjoy.
6. Gain freedom of choice
One of the biggest benefits of taking out private health insurance is the control it can give you over your care, by allowing you to choose who treats you and where. This can improve your mental health by increasing your sense of autonomy and independence.
With HMCA, for example, you can choose from an extensive list of hospitals throughout the UK. And if you get admitted, you’ll have your own private room, equipped with a TV and phone, with visiting arranged to suit both you and your loved ones. You’ll also be able to choose your specialist, including your surgeon, should you need one.
Even if you choose to have your medical care solely through the NHS, or if it’s an emergency admission, you’ll receive £200 for every night spent in hospital for up to 30 nights. This is tax-free and can be spent as you wish.
Plus, you don’t need to attend a medical to join a private medical plan, and acceptance is guaranteed (subject to terms and conditions). This means soon after signing up, you really will have control at your fingertips.
7. Get 24/7 mental health support
Mental health is just as important as physical health, especially as we age and face major life transitions such as retirement, bereavement, or changes in mobility.
Many private healthcare plans, such as HMCA’s Plus Plan, now offer 24/7 access, 365 days a year, to an experienced team of mental health professionals, including psychological wellbeing practitioners, CBT therapists, and mental health nurses.
With faster access to emotional wellbeing services, people can address issues early on, helping them feel more balanced, supported, and resilient, which is essential for maintaining quality of life.
Worried about accessing the NHS care you need?
83% of Rest Less members are worried about accessing the healthcare they need on the NHS#, making fast access to treatment more important than ever.
HMCA private medical cover offers affordable, flexible plans, with 90% of members saving money when they switch. Enjoy peace of mind. Join today and get £150 off your subscription.
#Data from over 1,000 Rest Less members surveyed in 2025
^Data from HMCA members who joined between 01/01/25 and 30/06/25
Final thoughts…
While we can’t always predict the future, we can take steps to feel more prepared, supported, and in control of our health. Private health insurance isn’t just about faster treatment – it’s about gaining peace of mind, improving everyday wellbeing, and having the freedom to live life more fully.
Whether you’re thinking ahead to retirement, managing a health concern, or simply looking for more choice and flexibility in your care, private healthcare could be a worthwhile investment in your quality of life. And with providers like HMCA offering tailored, affordable plans for people over 50, it’s more accessible than ever.
Taking care of yourself is one of the most valuable things you can do – because when your health is supported, everything else in life gets a little easier, too.
When you take out a medical plan with HMCA, you’ll also receive a £100 Amazon, Marks & Spencer, or John Lewis gift card, or £150 off your subscription.