Britons can now obtain Private Medical Insurance for just under £200 a year and new figures suggest that more people are taking out the cover.

As the NHS is marking its 60th anniversary this weekend, reports said that government figures show hospital maximum waiting times on the in-patient list have dropped to six months from 18 months.

Nonetheless, many people who prefer immediate medical attention for an injury or illness consider PMI a more viable option.

Currently more than six million people in the UK are covered by PMI, said figures from the Association of British Insurers.

But it was also found that cost of PMI is still a put-off for many Britons in spite of the obvious benefits.

Although basic cover could cost about £186 per year or £15.50 a month, one needs to pay between £450 and £700 to get comprehensive cover.

In another development, the European Commission has unveiled a healthcare package to enable patients get medical treatment elsewhere in the EU. Under the plan they won’t need their doctor’s approval for non-hospital care and they would be able to claim up to the amount their treatment would have cost in their home country.

Although at present the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides emergency care across the EU for patients needing attention abroad, only those with health insurance at home are eligible.