Obesity and diabetes could soon overtake cancer as the next major cost driver for international private medical insurance (IPMI), according to new data from Bupa Global.
Bupa Global’s latest Healthcare Insights Report shows claims costs linked to obesity, diabetes and other metabolic conditions have risen 97 per cent since 2021, with outpatient drug claims more than doubling over the same period. The insurer warns that lifestyle-driven diseases are now reshaping global claim patterns and creating long-term cost pressures for international health plans.
The report, based on tens of thousands of claims across multiple regions between 2021 and 2025, highlights a sharp escalation in pharmaceutical use for metabolic conditions. Overall, outpatient drug claim volumes have jumped 110 per cent, with the steepest rises seen in treatments for diabetes, obesity and cholesterol-related disorders.
This regional data shows that the biggest increases in claims costs have been in the Middle East, where outpatient drug costs have increased 143 per cent. In contrast they have risen by 110 per cent across Europe and 90 per cent in Asia, reflecting the is a global trend towards long-term medical management of chronic conditions.
Bupa Global says this represents a structural change in the IPMI cost base. Unlike cancer, which typically involves high-cost but time-bound treatment, metabolic conditions generate long-tail claims due to continuous medication, monitoring and lifestyle support. The growing use of GLP-1 medicines for diabetes is also contributing to rising outpatient spend.
Dr Robin Clark, medical director at Bupa Global, says this claims data shows the impact of global lifestyle shifts. “Nearly three billion people are now overweight or obese, and that’s driving earlier and more frequent presentations of related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” he said. “These conditions may well become the next major cost driver for IPMI.”
However, he adds that advances in preventative healthcare could help mitigate this pressure: “One of the most promising areas is genomics, which allows us to better understand a customer’s susceptibility to certain conditions. This means we can intervene earlier and prescribe more safely and effectively.”
The report also shows mental health remains one of the fastest-growing claim categories, with a 93 per cent increase since 2021. Clark said patterns of use indicate a shift in both behaviour and expectations: “More people are accessing mental health support earlier – not just in crisis, but for wellbeing and performance.”
Digital access is now central to this trend. Virtual GP consultations via Bupa Global’s Global Virtual Care service have grown 21 per cent year on year, while 59 per cent of customers now actively use the insurer’s Blua digital health platform.
Bupa Global managing director Anthony Cabrelli said the data reflects broad societal changes that intermediaries and employers will increasingly need to plan around. “From rising obesity and diabetes to the growing demand for more proactive healthcare, these insights give our clients and intermediary partners the confidence to plan ahead,” he said. “They also fuel our investment in early detection and prevention through Blua digital healthcare and genomics screening.”
Cabrelli added that Bupa Global is adapting its proposition in response to these trends, including greater flexibility through modular cover, tiered networks and enhanced maternity and mental health benefits.
