We often hear about annual health checks and how they can support our health, by finding issues early and promoting lifestyle changes. But are annual health checks worth it?
We’re exploring everything annual health checks include, which insurers are offering them and the real benefits they can offer.
Simply put, an annual health check is an overview of tests and assessments designed to check your current health and identify any potential risks early.
Common checks you can expect with an annual health assessment include:
What checks are included in your assessment can depend on your age, who the health check is with and whether you use NHS or private healthcare.
Whilst annual checks are available both on the NHS and through private healthcare (often included as standard in health insurance or discounted), they may have differences.
The NHS offer a free health check up for anyone aged 40-74 in England. This is a check up for the health of your heart and can tell you if you’re at higher risk of developing certain problems such as: heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and stroke.
These checks are available every five years and eligible to people who don’t have a range of problems such as: heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease.
For people who do suffer from any of the listed conditions, regular health checks should already be offered by the NHS.
An NHS health check typically includes:
As these tests are only offered to people up to the age of 74, people over the age of 75 are required to have a named accountable GP, who is responsible for ensuring a health check is provided when requested.
Private health checks can often be more comprehensive than those available with the NHS. You also get an annual check, rather than every five years.
Often referred to as ‘health MOTs’, with a private health assessment you can expect:
Many of the UK’s leading health insurers offer an annual health check, which will either be included in the policy as a benefit or with a discount.
Bupa Health Check
Whilst Bupa don’t offer their health checks as standard with health insurance, as a policy member you receive 10% off health assessments.
Health assessments with Bupa range from covering the essentials, such as blood pressure, lung age and mobility and flexibility, to a more comprehensive assessment, which covers all checks plus a fitness test and 12-week personal programme.
You can also find Bupa assessments specifically for over 65s.
The Exeter Health MOT
With an insurance policy with The Exeter, you benefit from one Health MOT each year included within your policy. The Exeter’s assessment checks 20 different markers to spot health problems early on, providing in-depth results through their app.
This is provided as an at-home health assessment via a self-administered finger prick blood test.
You then receive a personalised health report and can discuss your results with a GP through their digital GP service.
Vitality Health Check
Vitality offer a health check for one adult member on their Personal Healthcare Plan each policy year. Further health checks are available for other members of the plan for £15 per assessment.
Whilst they offer virtual health checks as standard, you can choose a face-to-face with their partner, BlueCrest, which will be at one of their locations.
AXA Health Assessment
While AXA don’t offer health checks themselves. When you have a health insurance policy with them, you may be able to get 25% off health assessments with Nuffield Health and Circle Health Group.
So, are health checks actually worth it?
If you prioritise your health and want to be prepared with early intervention, health checks are a great way to get peace of mind.
On the one hand, regular health checks can play an important role in prevention and early detection. They’re designed to spot risk factors, such as high blood pressure or raised cholesterol before they develop into more serious conditions.
People who attend health checks are more likely to have underlying conditions identified and managed, which can lead to improvements in overall health outcomes and lifestyle changes.
However, that doesn’t mean annual checks are essential for everyone. For healthy adults with no symptoms or risk factors, routine yearly check-ups don’t always lead to better long-term outcomes, such as living longer or avoiding major illness.
In reality, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. How often you should have a health check depends on factors like your age, medical history, lifestyle and any existing risk factors. For some people, particularly those over 40 or with a family history of certain conditions, regular checks can be a valuable way to stay on top of their health. For others, a more tailored, less frequent approach may be just as effective.
Ultimately, health checks can be a way to provide peace of mind and stay on top of your health, especially if you have a health insurance policy and they’re available to you, then you can benefit from using them.
Health checks can be useful for anyone, when providing reassurance about your health or understanding it better to make positive lifestyle changes. Whilst on the NHS, you have to be over 40, with a private health check you can typically have one from age 18.
They may be most useful for:
Overall, health checks can be an important part of looking after your health, for many people, for many different reasons. It would be recommended to utilise them if they're available to you, to provide peace of mind and reassurance.
This is where using a health insurance intermediary, like Usay Compare, can help. They’ll do all the hard work of comparing for you and be able to understand what's important to have cover for you in your policy.
The service is completely free of charge, with no obligation.
Get in touch with our expert team today: 01285 864670