Western European Health Insurance 2011

Introduction

This report analyzes the health insurance market in Western Europe. It includes a comparison in terms of private insurance take up, the balance between public and private healthcare, premium pricing and health factors; displaying the opportunities in the five selected countries. It details the consumer attitude to health insurance, in particular the reasons for not buying a policy.

Features and benefits

* Profiles the public healthcare system in each country and the extent to which there is space for private insurance growth
* Penetration, market sizes and premium rates for private health insurance in the five countries
* Methods of arrangement used by consumers in Western Europe and the reasons why policies were not purchased

Highlights

The price of private health cover is the biggest reason for which Western Europeans choose not to arrange a policy. Across the five countries surveyed, consumers were most likely to state that they "couldn't afford" the policy, with the UK individuals being most likely to do so at 41%.
According to its website, Debeka covers about 4.6 million people, of which slightly over 2 million are covered by private policies. The remainder hold additional cover while still being principally covered by the public health system; these will be not only self-employed Germans, but those in a civil servant or legal job role.
Countries with a higher concentration of older inhabitants will have to spend more money on healthcare when these individuals reach retirement age: in particular, the 'baby boomer' generation has already reached retirement age in disproportionate numbers. As people age, they will incur greater health insurance claims in terms of volume and extent.

Your key questions answered

* How large is the private medical insurance market in Western European countries?
* Why do some consumers not purchase private health insurance?
* To what extent are Western European countries covered by public healthcare?
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Executive Summary
The health insurance markets in most Western European countries grew between 2006 and 2008
Over a quarter of Europeans hold private health insurance in some form
The average insured European spends €942 on health insurance
Based on median ages, Germany has the most rapidly aging population
Trends and opportunities
OVERVIEW
Catalyst
Summary
MARKET CONTEXT
Introduction
German consumers are the most likely to hold private health insurance
Over a quarter of Europeans hold private health insurance in some form
The health insurance markets in most Western European countries grew between 2006 and 2008
The average insured European spends €942 on health insurance
The price of private health insurance is the biggest deterrent for those who do not hold a policy
Each European country has differing health concerns
Italy has commendably low rates of daily smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity
Based on median ages, Germany has the most rapidly aging population
Europeans who contribute toward social insurance are more likely to hold private health insurance policies
People in France receive the most funding from national social insurance schemes
The majority of private sector healthcare expenditure is "out-of-pocket"
The breakdown of total health expenditure potentially points to market opportunities for insurers
The costs vary for individual and group health insurance policies
UNITED KINGDOM
Introduction
The National Health Service (NHS) funds more than four-fifths of national healthcare
Healthcare expenditure in the UK
Recent reforms and future developments
Health insurance
Market context
Insurance cover offered
The cost of health insurance leads to low uptake in the UK market
Affordability is the biggest reason for not purchasing health insurance in the UK
UK consumers holding healthcare policies are most concerned with the cover of standard treatments
A recognized brand with a good reputation is important to UK consumers
UK consumers are most likely to arrange their policy through work
Bupa, PruHealth, and Munich Re gained market share in 2009
Bupa’s market share increased by 0.3 percentage points to 44.7% in 2009
PruHealth’s business grew by over 18%
Munich Re's market share grew by 0.1 of a percentage point
FRANCE
Introduction
Universal Medical Coverage (CMU) is only completely free for the poorest 10% of the population
Healthcare funding in France
Recent reforms and future developments
Health insurance
Market context
Insurance cover offered
Two-fifths of French consumers are deterred by the price of private health insurance
Awareness of health insurance is high among consumers
Consumers in France place an emphasis on outpatient and home care
French consumers want a well-known and untarnished brand
The online channel is infrequently used in the French market when arranging a health insurance policy
Competitor developments
French health insurer has developed an iPhone application to locate medical professionals
Allianz France reported a 4.4% increase in medical insurance premiums
AXA offers a new group health insurance scheme designed for SMEs
SPAIN
Introduction
The Spanish national healthcare system is decentralized to 17 regional governments
The state healthcare fund is decentralized and partially funded by employers
Recent reforms and future developments
Market context
Insurance cover offered
The reputation of their health insurer is key to Spanish consumers
The cost of health insurance is a barrier for Spanish consumers
Spanish consumers expect a high level of cover from their health insurance
Embattled Spanish consumers demand an untarnished reputation from their health insurer
Consumers in Spain want to meet face-to-face to arrange their insurance
The top 10 private health insurers in Spain hold almost 90% of the market
ITALY
Introduction
The national health service is funded through the various national regions
Healthcare funding in Italy
Recent reforms and future developments
Health insurance
Market context
Insurance cover offered
Italian consumers are thought to have the lowest holding of health insurance in Western Europe
The cost of health insurance is the biggest barrier for Italian consumers
Italian consumers seek cover focused on the major areas of diagnosis and treatment
Health insurers in Italy must work to become well-known brands
The employer channel is the strongest in the Italian market
Insurance competitors
GERMANY
Introduction
Germany imposes a system of compulsory "sickness funds"
Healthcare funding
Recent reforms and future developments
Market context
Insurance cover offered
German consumers who opt out of state health insurance expect wide policy coverage
Ineligibility is a problem for German consumers who do not hold health insurance
German consumers expect comprehensive cover from their insurance policy
An untarnished reputation is essential for health insurers in Germany
Face-to-face channels of opening are popular with German consumers
The most successful German health insurers are well established
Debeka also offers supplementary cover for those under the public health system
DKV is soon to end its contract with AOK
Allianz offers one of the widest range of policies
ACTION POINTS
[Missing title]
Introduction
Trends and opportunities
APPENDIX
Definitions
Statistical definitions
Healthcare definitions
Distribution definitions
Premium income
Methodology
Consumer survey
Additional FSCI data tables
Other sources used
Journals, articles, and websites
Further reading
Ask the analyst
Datamonitor consulting
Disclaimer
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