Welcome to our new Rate Review Hub. This provides an overview of this year’s rate review, including the wider healthcare trends shaping our pricing, regional market updates and information to support conversations with your clients. You’ll also find more about how Bupa Global is responding to changing customer needs through continued investment in our products, services and capabilities.
For a broader perspective on the forces shaping international private medical insurance (IPMI), explore our latest Healthcare Insights Report.
What is driving healthcare costs?
Healthcare is changing across every market in which we operate. Medical trend (inflation) is driven by increases in healthcare provision costs, alongside advances in medicine, changing patterns of demand and wider economic pressures. While the balance varies by region, these interconnected trends continue to shape the healthcare landscape and inform our rate review.
Global uncertainty, local impacts
The uncertainty arising from the conflict in the Middle East, tariff uncertainty, the rapid advancement of AI and climate change are playing out at a global scale but affecting healthcare costs and demand locally. This is addressed in detail in each regional summary.
Elevated medical trend
After a period of slowing medical trend, costs are increasing once again due to the uncertainty globally. However, it is expected to remain historically high and therefore places significant pressure on the cost of healthcare.
Rising healthcare demand
Earlier diagnosis, greater health awareness and improved access to care mean more people are seeking treatment. At the same time, pressure on local healthcare systems is encouraging more customers to use their private healthcare benefits. Increased use of out-patient services, diagnostics and specialist care is also driving higher healthcare utilisation across many markets.
Increasing medical innovation
New diagnostics, precision medicine, genomics, robotic surgery and advanced therapies are improving outcomes and expanding treatment options. These advances also contribute to higher healthcare costs as new technologies become more widely available. This development is accelerated by AI, driving more customisation but at a higher cost.
Changing health needs
Ageing populations and the continued growth of chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders are changing the types of care people need, increasing demand for ongoing, longer-term and more integrated healthcare.
The global picture
Our global claims data shows that medical trend remains high, although the direction and pace of change varies across markets and between Individual and SME portfolios. Some regions are showing signs of stabilisation, while others are experiencing renewed upward pressure.
Despite those differences, several themes are consistent across almost every market. Cancer and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions remain significant drivers of claims costs, while out-patient care and prescription use account for a growing share of claims. We are also seeing higher-frequency claims relating to diabetes, obesity, thyroid and cholesterol disorders.
The perspective from across our markets
Explore the regional picture and the different conditions driving healthcare costs across Individual and SME portfolios.
Africa
Medical trend increased for both Individual and SME customers in 2026, but the two segments are moving differently. The Individual picture remains volatile, while SME trend appears to be easing after reaching a high point. Circulatory and MSK conditions are significant drivers across the market.
Africa is assessed to experience a moderate medical trend impact due to the conflict in the Middle East, driven mainly by energy-led inflation and increased healthcare utilisation.
Individual customers
Individual customers
Following a lower but fluctuating trend during 2025, medical trend increased in 2026. There remains significant uncertainty around its direction, with respiratory conditions also contributing alongside circulatory and MSK claims.
SME customers
SME customers
The medical trend for SME customers in Africa reached a high point earlier in 2026 and appears to be stabilising. As with other markets, benefits utilisation is increasing with claims relating to digestive system diseases and neoplasms making a significant contribution to costs.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
Medical trend showed signs of stabilising as the region entered 2026 following a period of sustained increases. However, recent claims data suggests that upward pressure is beginning to return, with cancer and MSK conditions remaining the most significant drivers of costs across the region.
APAC is expected to experience a moderate medical trend impact due to the Middle East conflict, driven mainly by energy-led inflation pass-through and healthcare utilisation/severity effects.
Individual customers
Individual customers
Medical trend stabilised into 2026 following an increase during 2025. Cancer claims continue to be the primary driver of costs, with MSK conditions also making a significant contribution. These trends are most evident in Hong Kong.
SME customers
SME customers
Medical trend has also started to stabilise following increased cost pressures during 2025. Cancer remains the strongest contributor, with MSK conditions also having a significant impact.
Egypt
Medical trend reduced in Egypt due to currency devaluations but has since seen an increase. This is affecting experience in both Individual and SME. The Middle East conflict has meant that both costs and utilisation is uncertain. This in combination with an increase in cost seen recently is driving higher trend.
Travel might be restricted at times or customers might travel less and therefore utilisation is expected to be different from historical trends, with potentially more local treatment.
Individual customers
Individual customers
Medical trend stabilised at the start of 2026 following a decline during 2025, although the latest claims data suggests that upward pressure may be returning. Cancer and maternity are driving up costs in Egypt.
SME customers
SME customers
Medical trend began to increase in 2026 after reaching a low at the end of 2025. Cancer is a large driver of the cost historically and continues to be the largest factor. This is due to customers travelling for treatment elsewhere in the world. In the most recent period, there have been significant increases in circulatory, MSK, and nervous system conditions.
Europe
Medical trend remains elevated across Europe, although recent claims data suggests the picture is becoming more varied. The Individual segment is showing signs of stabilisation, while SME trends have begun to move upwards again, with different medical conditions driving costs across each segment.
The conflict in the Middle East means that Europe is expected to experience a moderate medical trend, driven by oil and gas-related inflation, healthcare cost pass-through, and increased utilisation.
Individual customers
Individual customers
Medical trend stabilised at the start of 2026 following sustained increases during 2025. The primary drivers are cancer, MSK conditions and circulatory diseases.
SME customers
SME customers
Medical trend reached a low in 2025 before increasing through the second half of the year and into 2026. Cancer remains the strongest contributor and continues to be closely monitored.
Middle East
Medical trend has reduced but continues to fluctuate across the Middle East, with different conditions driving costs for Individual and SME customers.
The conflict has meant that both costs and utilisation is uncertain. Disruption to care may increase the risk of delayed, and potentially more complex, treatment.
Travel restrictions, or reduced customer travel, may affect utilisation patterns, with treatment locations potentially shifting between international and local providers.
Individual customers
Individual customers
Medical trend stabilised at the start of 2026 following a decline during 2025, although the latest claims data suggests that upward pressure may be returning. Cancer is a major contributor to costs across the Middle East, while MSK conditions are the largest driver within the Individual segment.
SME customers
SME customers
Medical trend began to increase in 2026 after reaching a low at the end of 2025. Cancer remains an important contributor to costs, alongside continued pressure from MSK claims. Endocrine, nutritional, metabolic and immunity-related conditions also made a strong contribution during the last year.
UK
Medical trend remains high in the UK, although it has started to ease after reaching significantly higher levels in 2025. While the overall direction is similar across both Individual and SME portfolios, different conditions continue to drive healthcare costs within each segment.
The UK is expected to experience a moderate to high impact due to the Middle East conflict. This is driven by its reliance on energy imports and the potential impact on general inflation within the economy.
Individual customers
Individual customers
Medical trend remains high but began to fall in 2026 after reaching significantly elevated levels during 2025. Cancer continues to be the most significant contributor to claims costs, alongside neurological conditions, which are also having a material impact on the Individual portfolio in the UK.
SME customers
SME customers
Medical trend also remains high going into 2026. Circulatory conditions and maternity are the most significant contributors to increased claims costs, creating a different pattern of pressure from that seen among Individual customers.
How Bupa Global is responding
Healthcare is changing fast, and the cost of delivering high-quality care is rising with it. Bupa Global is taking action to support the long-term future of international private medical insurance (IPMI) by managing costs responsibly, while continuing to invest in the capabilities that improve health outcomes and help customers access appropriate care.
Taking a more proactive approach to healthcare
We are shifting more of the focus towards prevention, earlier intervention and ongoing support. By identifying risks sooner and helping customers act before conditions become more serious, we can improve outcomes and reduce the need for more complex care.
Managing costs responsibly
We work closely with providers across our global network to review treatment, support complex cases and challenge inappropriate costs. This helps protect affordability while maintaining the quality of care our customers expect.
Making care easier to access
We are improving the way our customers find support, navigate treatment and use their benefits. Investment in digital services and more connected care pathways is helping create a simpler, clearer experience.
Explore how we are responding
The commitments above are supported by continued investment across four areas of Bupa Global’s business.
Healthcare Management
Our Healthcare Management function brings together clinical expertise, case management and regional provider knowledge to manage our network, support complex care and improve health outcomes for our customers.
2.2m+ providers in our global network
Our regional clinicians, case managers and healthcare specialists support complex cases, maintain consistent clinical standards and work closely with providers across our global network. This includes agreeing and monitoring provider pricing, helping ensure customers receive appropriate, evidence-based care while healthcare costs are managed responsibly.
Claims Management
Our Claims Management teams ensure claims are assessed quickly, accurately and fairly, balancing an excellent customer experience with the responsible management of healthcare costs.
0.9 days average claims turnaround time from submission to final assessment
Claims Management begins once treatment has taken place. Using intelligent rules, specialist clinical review and payment integrity controls, our teams assess every claim against policy terms while identifying opportunities to prevent fraud, negotiate appropriate costs and deliver fair outcomes for customers. This helps protect the long-term affordability of international private medical insurance without compromising the customer experience.
Key responsibilities:
- Claims assessment and payment
- Payment integrity
- Fraud, waste and abuse prevention
- Regional claims expertise
Connected Care
Connected Care brings together Bupa Global’s clinical expertise, provider network and digital capabilities to help customers find, access and navigate appropriate care more easily, reducing complexity and improving outcomes.
13x faster cancer diagnosis through our specialist Connected Care pathways, versus a traditional journey (within the UK*)
From helping customers find the right provider to creating integrated care pathways for complex conditions, Connected Care is designed to simplify the healthcare journey. By working closely with trusted providers, Bupa Global can coordinate care faster and more effectively and help customers access high-quality treatment sooner. As these capabilities continue to expand across key markets, Connected Care will play an increasingly important role in delivering a more seamless healthcare experience.
Key capabilities:
- Care navigation and appointment support
- Integrated care pathways
- Preferred provider network
- Digital care journeys
*data collected by Bupa UK
Digital and innovation
Bupa Global is investing in digital technology, data and healthcare innovation to improve customer experience, support earlier intervention and make it easier for customers, employers and intermediaries to access healthcare.
74.9% eligible customers registered for MembersWorld
Innovation is helping Bupa Global improve every stage of the healthcare journey. From the launch of Bupa for Business, giving employers and intermediaries a faster, smarter way to manage their schemes, to digital services such as MembersWorld and Blua, technology is making healthcare easier to access and manage for our customers.
At the same time, we are using healthcare data and clinical insight to identify emerging health trends, shape new care pathways and support earlier intervention. Bupa Global is also continuing to explore advances such as genomics, precision medicine and new models of cancer care, ensuring customers can benefit from innovations that improve outcomes while supporting the long-term future of IPMI.
Key capabilities:
- Bupa for Business
- Healthcare analytics data
- MembersWorld and Blua
- Healthcare innovation
Making healthcare easier to access
Digital services are helping customers access care more easily, manage their cover with greater confidence and connect with support wherever they are.
Together, Blua and MembersWorld simplify the healthcare journey, giving customers more control while making everyday interactions quicker and more convenient.
Blua by Bupa
Blua gives eligible customers access to a range of digital healthcare services, including virtual appointments, health programmes and wellbeing support, helping them access appropriate care wherever they are.
MembersWorld
MembersWorld gives customers a simple way to manage their health plan online, from viewing benefits and accessing documents to submitting and tracking claims, helping make everyday plan management faster and easier.
JAAQ
JAAQ provides on-demand video access to trusted mental health information and support, combining expert-led content with lived experiences to help members better understand and manage their mental wellbeing.
JAAQ availability varies by market and product.
Any questions?
If you’d like to discuss these pricing updates, what they mean for your clients or any other questions, your Bupa Global Account Manager will be happy to help.