For Richard Kersley, retirement plans of language learning, dance and university studies were abruptly altered by a glioblastoma diagnosis in April 2025. The aggressive brain cancer, affecting 3,200 people annually in the UK, initially carried a grim prognosis – doctors predicted he wouldn’t survive to Christmas. However, nearly ten months later, Kersley, 61, is maintaining a remarkable quality of life, attributing much of his progress to Optune, a novel wearable device designed to disrupt cancer cell division.
Despite the potential benefits – a recent clinical trial suggested Optune could extend life by nearly five months when used alongside standard chemotherapy – Kersley’s private medical insurance, with AXA Health, refuses to cover the treatment’s substantial cost. He is now personally funding the £20,000 monthly expense, totaling £161,000 since July.
The Uneven Landscape of Cancer Coverage
Kersley’s situation highlights a growing disparity in access to advanced cancer treatments within the private healthcare system. Despite holding comprehensive cancer cover through AXA Health for over 30 years, with an annual premium of £18,700, his policy excludes Optune. Other major insurers – Bupa, Aviva, Allianz, and Cigna – do cover the treatment, creating a situation where access hinges not on clinical need, but on the specific insurance provider.
This inconsistency is particularly concerning given the increasing popularity of private health insurance. According to consultancy LangBuisson, 8.43 million people in Britain – 12% of the population – held private health cover as of October .
However, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reports that medical insurance is the second most complained-about financial product, with just over seven complaints for every 1,000 policies sold. This suggests a broader issue of unmet expectations and coverage disputes.
Helen Bulbeck, from the cancer charity Brainstrust, emphasizes the clinical rationale for coverage. “Optune has demonstrated clinical benefit in extending survival for people with glioblastoma, supported by peer-reviewed evidence and regulatory approval in multiple countries. When some insurers cover this treatment while others deny access, despite patients paying for comprehensive cancer cover, it creates inequity of access based not on clinical need, but on which policy someone holds.”
Optune: A Promising, Yet Costly, Treatment
Optune is currently available in the US, France, Germany, and Japan. A phase 3 global clinical trial demonstrated that glioblastoma patients using Optune in conjunction with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy experienced a nearly five-month extension in survival compared to those receiving standard treatment alone.
Despite these promising results, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has not approved Optune for use within the National Health Service (NHS) due to its high cost. This leaves patients reliant on private insurance for access.
James Daley, from the consumer group Fairer Finance, predicts this scenario will become more common. “You are going to find that there are drugs available in, say, the US that the NHS won’t touch because of cost. Insurers are going to have to be really clear about what they will and won’t cover.”
The Human Cost of Coverage Denials
The financial and emotional toll of denied coverage is significant. Nix Kersley, Richard’s wife, expressed her distress, stating, “Time is so precious. It should be spent with my husband, not sobbing down the phone to my insurer.” She described a support network of Optune users, some of whom have been forced to discontinue treatment due to financial constraints.
James Hanfrey, 49, from Isleworth, faces a similar struggle. Diagnosed with glioblastoma in April , he had private medical cover through Vitality, including Advanced Cancer Cover. However, his claim for Optune was rejected. To continue treatment, Hanfrey has continued working despite his illness, and his family has depleted their life insurance and launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising £46,000.
Sonia Hanfrey, James’ wife, highlighted the constant financial anxiety. “I’m constantly thinking about how to fund the treatment. Donations are drying up. If James has to stop treatment, the tumour will spread.”
A recent legal case involving Vitality illustrates the complexities of coverage disputes. A glioblastoma patient challenged Vitality’s denial of Optune coverage, arguing that his policy should cover treatment at “any hospital or specialist cancer unit” and drug therapies targeting cancer cells. While the details of the settlement remain confidential, court documents reveal that Vitality initially offered £20,000 towards the treatment, later increasing the offer to £60,000 after the patient initiated legal proceedings.
Dr. Arun Thiyagarajan, Chief Executive of Vitality, stated that the company provides funding for all claims eligible under its cover for Mr. Hanfrey and undertakes a full review of medical evidence for unestablished treatments like Optune. He added that the current evidence does not sufficiently demonstrate Optune’s effectiveness, leading to the denial of coverage.
Dr. Matthew Williams, a consultant oncologist specializing in brain tumors, argues that private healthcare should encompass treatments proven to improve survival. “Optune improves survival at every point. If you have private healthcare, then it’s not unreasonable to expect that additional treatments shown to work will be covered, because let’s be honest, that’s how many companies sell it.”
AXA Health defines “conventional treatments” as those approved by NICE or supported by high-quality clinical evidence. The company maintains that its assessment of Optune’s evidence base does not currently warrant coverage.
