Are Britons willing to use Buy Now, Pay Later for medical services?

Reports in major media outlets have revealed that – to avoid NHS wait times – desperate  patients are using “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) loans to fund private medical services. This form of credit will usually allow customers to pay for an item or service in instalments over an agreed period of time (usually without interest unless the payments are late).  BNPL firms have attracted some criticism for aiming their marketing at patients in dire financial straits.

But YouGov Surveys data reveals that, when asked, the public are more likely to think it’s acceptable for BNPL providers to offer patients the option to pay for private medical services than unacceptable (40% vs. 31%).

This doesn’t necessarily mean they are likely to use these services: while a quarter (24%) say they would consider it if they were in need of private healthcare, nearly three in five (58%) say they would not. This does rise to 34% of 18-24 year olds, 32% of 25-34 year olds, and 33% of 35-44 year olds;  it decreases when it comes to Britons aged 45-54 (21%) and 55 or older (16%). BNPL might well appeal to people who are at an earlier stage of their lives and have less capital available for unforeseen expenses.

In any case, people think BNPL is a more appealing option than a traditional loan: 36% think it’s a better option, 24% believe it’s about the same, and 15% think it’s worse. They also think BNPL beats a credit card: 38% say it’s better, 24% about the same, and 14% say it’s worse.

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Methodolgoy

YouGov Surveys: Serviced provide quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online 9-10 August 2023, with a [nationally/online] representative sample of 2000 adults in GB (aged 18+ years), using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, education, and social to be representative of all adults in Great Britain(18 years or older), and reflect the latest ONS population estimates. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.