How GPs spend 110,000 hours a year on travel insurance medical claims paperwork

New research commissioned by Staysure and conducted by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) estimates that GPs across the UK spend 110,000 hours completing travel insurance paperwork. That time could deliver 660,000 patient appointments instead. So, the current medical travel insurance claims process imposes a huge hidden toll that often goes unnoticed. 

The reason for this is that when someone falls ill abroad, insurers often need access to that person’s medical records to validate a claim. Right now, that means GPs are asked to prepare and send patient medical reports – a task that takes around 38 minutes per report. Multiply that across thousands of claims, and these wasted hours become increasingly alarming. 

In 2024 alone, travellers made 172,000 medical travel insurance claims – the highest number in a decade. Each one required GP input, and almost seven in ten doctors say these claims add pressure to their already busy workload. 

The process doesn’t just affect GPs because policyholders can also face delays in getting approval for urgent treatment or repatriation, as hospitals abroad wait for paperwork to be filed from the UK. And on top of that, GPs charge claimants between £25 to £170 up front for each medical report, as there’s no set fees, meaning it varies from clinic to practice. 

We at Staysure believe there’s a better way. Open banking has shown how secure, consent-based sharing of financial data can work. We’re now calling for open travel insurance – a system that lets insurers access a traveller’s medical information directly and securely, with their permission, at the point of purchase. 

Travellers could give permission through the NHS App. After that, their medical information could be passed securely to the insurer. 

This would be done using a protected digital system that delivers only the information needed, and only if the traveler says it’s okay. 

Simply, when a customer buys travel insurance, they can choose to share their medical history instantly and safely, removing the need for GPs to provide manual reports later on. 

If introduced, open travel Insurance could: 

• help travellers get faster treatment abroad without waiting for paperwork 
• reduce claim rejections by tailoring cover to individual medical histories 
• cut insurer costs and fraud risks 
• potentially lead to lower premiums for travellers 
• free up GPs time allowing more patient appointments 

Simon McCulloch, Chief Growth Officer at Staysure, says the research “exposes the true scale of the problem” and highlights how outdated systems waste NHS resources and delay patient care. 

He adds, “open travel insurance could offer a smarter, fairer alternative – a system that gives customers instantly tailored cover, reassures them they’ve fully disclosed their conditions, and reduces pressure on GPs”. 

“Our proposal also aligns with the government’s 10-year ‘Fit for the Future’ plan for NHS England, which aims to give patients control over their health data through the NHS app. Linking this digital shift with travel insurance could bring benefits to everyone, including the NHS, patients and insurers.” 

GP Dr Asimah Hanif, welcomes the potential benefits of open travel insurance, calling it “an exciting, forward-thinking idea.” 

“It could reduce GP workload by eliminating manual reports, empowering patients to control their health data, and streamline the insurance process,” she says. 

But it does not come without any challenges. So, she also stresses the importance of safeguards. 

“Clear consent, robust security and professional oversight are essential”, she says. “The GP community needs confidence that the system is trustworthy and safe.” 

Today, too many travellers are left waiting in hospital beds abroad while insurers chase GPs for paperwork back home. At the same time, people in the UK struggle to get doctor appointments. And that’s why open travel insurance offers a modern, secure and transparent solution to connect patients, insurers, and healthcare providers. 

It’s a step toward freeing up GP time, speeding up care for travellers and building a more connected NHS for the future. 

To read the full report by Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) click here.