It is often the case that private healthcare premiums increase year by year regardless of whether or not you have made a claim. However, the PruHealth scheme has taken an entirely new approach to private medical insurance and it encourages you to take some control over your lifestyle and this will be reflected in the cost of your premiums.

The way it works is based around a system of Vitality Points. These can be accumulated in various ways such as being or becoming a non-smoker; taking regular exercise; maintaining a healthy diet or through health screening. Vitality Points can then be used to reduce the cost of next year’s premium.

Also, to help towards the cost of your new healthy lifestyle, PruHealth have gone into partnership with a number of other organisations to obtain substantial discounts for their members.

You could save as much as £55 per month on gym membership with Holmes Place or Canons. Preferential rates are also available for Champneys health spas; for health screening activities from BUPA, the Diagnostic Clinic and HCA International; and for Allen Carr courses to stop smoking.

Living a healthier lifestyle will bring its own rewards for yourself and your family but being given a financial incentive to do so could make the idea even more attractive.