In today's fast-paced world, immediate access to healthcare isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 750,000 policies, WeCovr understands that modern private medical insurance in the UK must offer more than just core hospital cover. It needs to provide proactive, accessible wellness tools that fit into your daily life. This is precisely where the Aviva DigiCare+ app comes in, transforming a standard policy into a comprehensive health and wellbeing companion.
This guide will delve deep into the Aviva DigiCare+ app, explaining its features, benefits, and how it acts as a powerful extension of your Aviva private health cover. We'll explore how these digital tools can help you manage your health proactively, often preventing small issues from becoming major health concerns.
Aviva DigiCare+ is a mobile application, available at no extra cost to eligible Aviva private medical insurance and protection policyholders. It is not the insurance policy itself, but rather a suite of value-added services designed to support your everyday health and wellbeing.
Think of it as your personal health hub, sitting right on your smartphone. It provides swift access to medical professionals and wellness services that can complement the care you receive from the NHS and your private medical insurance.
The core idea is to shift the focus from purely reactive treatment (addressing illness when it occurs) to a more balanced, proactive approach. By giving you tools for early diagnosis, mental health support, and nutritional guidance, Aviva empowers you to take control of your wellbeing, day in and day out.
A Crucial Note on Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
Before we explore the app's features, it's vital to understand a fundamental principle of private medical insurance in the UK. Standard PMI policies, including those from Aviva, are designed to cover acute conditions.
Standard PMI policies do not cover pre-existing conditions or chronic conditions. The Aviva DigiCare+ app can provide support and guidance for managing lifestyle factors related to chronic conditions, but the treatment itself would not be covered by your core insurance policy.
Getting started with the app is straightforward.
Once registered, you can log in anytime to access the full suite of services. The app's interface is designed to be user-friendly, with clear icons and navigation to help you find the service you need quickly.
This is where the real value of the app becomes clear. It's not just one service, but a collection of powerful tools, each addressing a different aspect of your health. Let's break them down.
This is arguably one of the most popular and practical features. It offers on-demand access to a qualified, UK-based GP via your phone.
How the Digital GP Service Works:
Feature | Description | Real-Life Example |
---|---|---|
24/7 Access | Book appointments at any time, day or night, to fit around your work and family life. | You wake up at 2 am with a worrying rash. Instead of waiting until 8 am to call your local surgery, you can open the app and book the next available slot. |
Video & Phone Calls | Choose the consultation method you're most comfortable with. Video is excellent for visible symptoms. | Your child has a sore throat and a fever. A video call allows the GP to look at their throat and assess their general condition visually. |
Private Prescriptions | If the GP deems it necessary, they can issue a private prescription. You can have it sent to a local pharmacy for collection. | The GP diagnoses you with a bacterial infection and issues a prescription for antibiotics. You receive a code to take to your nearest chemist and can start treatment the same day. |
Open Referrals | If your condition requires specialist attention, the GP can provide an open referral letter, which you can use to start a claim on your main Aviva PMI policy. | After discussing your persistent knee pain, the GP recommends you see an orthopaedic specialist and provides a referral, fast-tracking your access to private care. |
Mental wellbeing is just as important as physical health. Recent ONS statistics show that around 1 in 5 adults in the UK experience some form of depression or anxiety. The DigiCare+ app provides direct access to vital mental health services.
Mental Health Services at a Glance:
What we eat has a profound impact on our energy levels, immune system, and long-term health. However, navigating the world of nutrition can be confusing.
Benefits of a Nutrition Consultation:
For example, a user struggling with mid-afternoon energy slumps could use a nutrition consultation to develop a diet plan rich in complex carbohydrates and protein, helping to stabilise their blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Prevention is always better than cure. The annual health check service is a cornerstone of the app's proactive approach.
How the Health Check Works:
This simple check can be an incredibly powerful tool for catching potential issues early.
A serious diagnosis can be a frightening and confusing time. The ability to get a second opinion from a world-leading expert can provide clarity and peace of mind.
This service involves having your diagnosis, medical records, and treatment plan reviewed by another specialist. They will then provide a detailed report, either confirming the original diagnosis and plan or suggesting alternative approaches. This can be invaluable when making critical decisions about your health.
It's important to see the DigiCare+ app not as a separate entity, but as a complementary partner to your main Aviva PMI policy.
How DigiCare+ Helps | How Your Core PMI Policy Helps | The Combined Benefit |
---|---|---|
Provides a quick Digital GP consultation for your back pain. | Covers the cost of the specialist consultation, MRI scan, and physiotherapy recommended by the GP. | A seamless, fast-tracked journey from initial symptom to diagnosis and treatment, all managed within one provider's ecosystem. |
The annual health check flags high cholesterol. | Your main policy doesn't cover this chronic condition management, but the early warning allows you to make lifestyle changes. | You proactively manage a health risk, potentially preventing a future cardiovascular event that would require a major claim. |
A mental health consultation helps you manage work-related stress. | If the stress leads to an acute psychiatric condition requiring inpatient care, your policy provides cover (subject to policy limits). | You get immediate, low-level support to prevent escalation, with the safety net of comprehensive cover if needed. |
Working with an expert PMI broker like WeCovr can help you understand exactly how these value-added services integrate with different levels of hospital cover, ensuring you choose a policy that offers the right balance of everyday support and major medical protection.
Aviva isn't the only provider offering digital health tools. The UK private medical insurance market is competitive, and most major insurers have a similar offering. Here’s how they broadly stack up:
Feature | Aviva DigiCare+ | Bupa Anytime HealthLine & Digital GP | AXA Health Doctor@Hand | Vitality Health |
---|---|---|---|---|
Digital GP | Yes, 24/7 video/phone consults. | Yes, via a third-party provider (e.g., Babylon). 24/7 nurse line available. | Yes, 24/7 video/phone consults via Doctor Care Anywhere. | Yes, 24/7 video consults. |
Mental Health Support | Yes, direct access to therapy sessions. | Yes, helpline and access to therapy options. | Yes, direct access to therapy sessions. | Yes, access to talking therapies, often linked to rewards. |
Annual Health Check | Yes, at-home finger-prick test included. | Health assessments are available as a separate benefit, often at extra cost. | Health assessments are available but not typically included as a free app feature. | Yes, health checks are a key part of the rewards programme. |
Nutrition Support | Yes, dedicated nutritionist consultations. | Yes, through a general health helpline. | Yes, through a general health helpline. | Nutrition information and resources, but not typically dedicated consultations. |
Unique Selling Point | A comprehensive, all-in-one wellness package included as standard. | Strong brand reputation and extensive network of hospitals and clinics. | Strong global presence and focus on mind and body health via their "Feelgood Health" proposition. | Focus on incentivising healthy behaviour through its points and rewards system (e.g., cinema tickets, coffee). |
This comparison shows that while most top-tier providers offer digital GP access, Aviva's DigiCare+ stands out by bundling a wider range of proactive wellness services, like the annual health check and nutritionist consultations, as a standard inclusion.
Let's imagine how different people might use the app.
Scenario 1: Sarah, a 35-year-old busy working mother
Scenario 2: David, a 50-year-old office manager
Scenario 3: Chloe, a 28-year-old graphic designer
Choosing the right private medical insurance UK policy can be complex. While the Aviva DigiCare+ app is an excellent feature, it's part of a much bigger picture. This is where an independent PMI broker like WeCovr adds significant value.
An app is a fantastic tool, but the right insurance policy is the foundation. WeCovr ensures you get both right.
The Aviva DigiCare+ app is a prime example of how the best PMI providers are evolving to offer holistic health support. It puts powerful tools for prevention, early diagnosis, and mental wellbeing directly into your hands.
Ready to explore how a private medical insurance policy enhanced with digital benefits could work for you?
Contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote. Our expert advisors will compare the UK's leading insurers to find the perfect cover for your health and your budget.