As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped UK residents arrange over 750,000 policies, WeCovr understands that modern private medical insurance is about more than just hospital stays. It’s about proactive health management. This is where value-added services like the Aviva DigiCare+ app come in, transforming a standard policy into a comprehensive wellbeing partner.
In this guide, we will unpack every feature of the Aviva DigiCare+ app. We’ll explain how it works, who can use it, and how it provides tangible benefits that you can use every day, not just when you fall ill. We'll explore how this powerful tool can help you and your family stay healthier, get faster access to medical advice, and ultimately, get more value from your private health cover.
Before we dive into the app's features, it's vital to clarify a fundamental principle of private medical insurance (PMI) in the UK.
PMI is designed to cover acute conditions. An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Think of conditions like hernias, joint replacements, or infections.
Crucially, standard private medical insurance in the UK does not cover pre-existing or chronic conditions.
While PMI won't pay for the treatment of these conditions, apps like Aviva DigiCare+ provide services that can help you manage your overall wellbeing, which is beneficial for everyone, regardless of their health status.
Aviva DigiCare+ is a comprehensive health and wellbeing app, available at no extra cost to Aviva private health insurance policyholders. It's not the insurance itself, but a powerful suite of digital services designed to support your physical and mental health on a day-to-day basis.
Think of it as your digital health hub. It provides quick access to medical professionals, mental health support, nutritional advice, and preventative health checks, all from your smartphone. The goal is to empower you to take control of your health, addressing small issues before they become big problems.
According to NHS Digital data, over 7.6 million people were on NHS waiting lists in England in late 2024. Services like those offered in DigiCare+ can provide a valuable and speedy alternative for initial consultations and advice, helping you bypass some of these queues for non-urgent matters.
Feature | Description | Availability |
---|---|---|
Digital GP | Video consultations with an NHS-practising GP. | 24/7 |
Mental Health Support | Consultations with mental health clinicians. | As required |
Nutritional Advice | Consultations with registered dietitians. | Up to 6 per year |
Second Medical Opinion | Expert review of a diagnosis and treatment plan. | For serious conditions |
Annual Health Check | At-home finger-prick blood test. | Once per policy year |
Gym Discounts | Reduced membership fees at a network of UK gyms. | Ongoing |
Let's explore the core services offered within the app and how they can benefit you and your family in real-world situations.
One of the standout features is on-demand access to a GP. Instead of waiting for an appointment at your local surgery, you can book a video consultation at a time that suits you, including evenings and weekends.
Mental health is as important as physical health. Recognising this, DigiCare+ provides direct access to mental health support without needing a GP referral.
"You are what you eat" is an old saying, but modern science backs it up. DigiCare+ offers consultations with registered nutritionists to help you optimise your diet.
Receiving a serious diagnosis can be a frightening and confusing experience. This service provides access to a world-leading specialist who will review your diagnosis and proposed treatment plan.
Prevention is better than cure. The annual health check is a proactive tool to monitor your health from the comfort of your home.
Beyond the core digital services, Aviva DigiCare+ also includes practical lifestyle benefits.
The annual health check is one of the most popular features of the app. Here’s a simple breakdown of the process:
This simple process gives you a powerful snapshot of your internal health, empowering you to take proactive steps towards a healthier future.
Let's look at how these features work in the real world.
The Worried Parent: It’s 10 PM and Sarah’s 4-year-old son has an unusual rash and a slight fever. Instead of heading to A&E, she uses the DigiCare+ app to book a video GP appointment. Within 30 minutes, she’s speaking to a doctor who assesses the rash visually, reassures her it's a common viral infection, and advises on how to manage the fever at home. Benefit: Peace of mind, convenience, and avoiding a long A&E wait.
The Stressed Professional: Mark has been feeling burnt out and anxious due to work pressure. He’s been struggling to sleep. He uses the mental health support feature in the app. He has an initial consultation and is then booked in for a series of therapy sessions with a qualified professional, all arranged discreetly through his phone. Benefit: Quick, confidential access to mental health care without a GP referral.
The Health-Conscious Retiree: David wants to ensure he’s staying as healthy as possible in retirement. He uses his annual health check. The results show slightly elevated cholesterol. The reporting doctor explains the reading and refers him to the in-app nutrition service. David has a consultation and gets a practical diet plan to help manage his cholesterol. Benefit: Proactive health management and prevention of future illness.
Most leading providers of private medical insurance in the UK now offer similar digital health apps. As an independent PMI broker, WeCovr can help you compare them side-by-side. Here’s a simplified comparison of the typical features you might find.
Feature | Aviva (DigiCare+) | AXA Health (Doctor at Hand) | Bupa (Digital GP) | Vitality (Vitality GP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
24/7 GP Access | Yes | Yes (via app) | Yes (via app) | Yes (via app) |
Mental Health Support | Yes (integrated) | Yes (separate pathway) | Yes (separate pathway) | Yes (integrated) |
Annual Health Check | Yes (at-home kit) | Sometimes (clinic-based) | Sometimes (clinic-based) | Yes (clinic-based) |
Second Opinion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Nutritionist | Yes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Yes (with a fee) |
Rewards/Discounts | Gym discounts | Active a-Plus rewards | N/A | Extensive rewards programme |
Our expert view: Aviva's DigiCare+ is a very strong, well-rounded offering, particularly with the inclusion of nutritional consultations and an at-home health check as standard for most policyholders. Vitality is famous for its rewards-based system that encourages activity, while AXA and Bupa offer excellent, streamlined GP access.
The best PMI provider for you depends on your individual priorities. Do you value proactive health checks, a rewards programme, or simply the core insurance coverage? A specialist broker like WeCovr can help you navigate these choices at no extra cost to you.
Choosing the right private health cover can feel complicated. That’s where we come in. At WeCovr, we provide independent, expert advice to help you find the perfect policy for your needs and budget.
The Aviva DigiCare+ app is a prime example of how modern private medical insurance in the UK has evolved. It’s no longer just about treatment; it’s about a holistic approach to your wellbeing, giving you the tools to be proactive about your health.
By combining fast access to medical professionals with preventative health checks and lifestyle support, it adds significant, tangible value to an Aviva health insurance policy.
Ready to explore how a policy from Aviva or another leading insurer could benefit you? The experts at WeCovr are here to help. We'll provide a free, no-obligation comparison of the best options on the market.
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