Last month, a client called us with a problem.
His operations manager – the person who kept everything running – had been waiting 16 weeks for an MRI. She couldn’t sit at her desk comfortably and was working from home on painkillers. The NHS kept pushing her appointment back.
“Can we get her seen privately? This week if possible?”
We arranged it. She had the scan on Thursday, saw a specialist on Monday, and was back to full capacity within a month.
The cost? Nearly £2,000 out of pocket. If he’d had a business health insurance scheme in place, the whole episode would have been covered for around £50 a month.
It’s a conversation we’re having more and more often.
The Reality of NHS Waiting Times
This isn’t about criticising the NHS – the staff are exceptional and the service is vital. But the pressure on the system is real:
- 7.39 million people currently on waiting lists
- Over 13 weeks median wait to see a specialist
- 148.9 million working days lost to sickness across the UK last year
Behind those numbers are real situations: a project manager waiting four months for a mental health referral, a warehouse supervisor managing chronic pain because physio is classed as “non-urgent.”
While they wait, the impact on your business adds up – in productivity, in morale, and often in the cost of covering their absence.
Private Health Insurance Isn’t Just for Large Corporates
There’s a common assumption that business health insurance is only for big companies. That’s no longer the case.
The numbers have shifted significantly. 8.43 million people in the UK now have private medical cover – the highest proportion since 2008. Two-thirds of that cover is employer-funded, and much of the growth is coming from small and medium-sized businesses.
We regularly set up schemes for:
- A 6-person recruitment agency in Leeds
- A 14-person e-commerce company in Brighton
- A 40-person manufacturer in Birmingham
- A two-director architecture practice
Most insurers will cover businesses from just one or two employees upwards.
What Does It Actually Cost?
This is usually the first question, and it deserves a straight answer.
Costs vary based on your team’s age profile, location, and the level of cover you choose. But here’s a realistic guide for most SMEs:
| Cover Level | Per Employee/Month | What’s Included |
| Basic | £20–40 | Hospital treatment, surgery, cancer care |
| Mid-range | £40–70 | Plus consultations, scans, diagnostics, physiotherapy |
| Comprehensive | £70–120+ | Full cover including mental health, dental, and optical |
Example 1: A 12-person marketing agency in Bristol, average age 34, mid-range cover with mental health included – £52 per employee per month.
Example 2: An 8-person accountancy firm in Manchester, average age 48, comprehensive cover – £89 per employee per month.
Your quote will reflect your specific circumstances, but these examples give you a reasonable benchmark.
Comparing the Main Insurers
Six providers account for around 95% of the UK business health insurance market. Each has distinct strengths:
Bupa – The largest and most recognised name. Extensive hospital network, strong cancer and mental health cover. A reliable choice for businesses wanting comprehensive protection. Minimum 2 employees.
AXA – Health Known for flexibility – you can structure different cover levels for different employee groups. Includes 24/7 virtual GP access. Popular with SMEs wanting tailored schemes. Minimum 1 employee.
Vitality – Distinctive wellness-focused model that rewards healthy behaviours with gym discounts and other incentives. Works well for younger, health-conscious teams. Minimum 1 employee.
Aviva – Often the most competitively priced option. Their “Expert Select” guided network keeps costs manageable without compromising on quality. Straightforward to administer. Minimum 1 employee.
WPA – Consistently achieves the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry (4.7/5 on Trustpilot). A not-for-profit provider like Bupa, with a strong reputation for service. Minimum 2 employees.
The Exeter – Frequently the most affordable option. Focuses on core cover without unnecessary extras. A sensible choice for businesses new to private health insurance. Minimum 1 employee.
There’s no single “best” insurer – the right choice depends on your team’s needs and your budget.
Key Considerations
Tax treatment
Business health insurance premiums are typically deductible as a business expense, reducing your corporation tax liability. Employees pay income tax on the benefit (it appears on their P11D), but this usually amounts to around £10–15 per month for a standard policy. Most employees consider this a fair exchange for private healthcare access.
Pre-existing conditions
These are generally excluded when cover begins. However, under “moratorium” underwriting, conditions that have been symptom-free for five years can become covered after two years on the policy. For larger groups (typically 10–15+ employees), some insurers offer “medical history disregarded” cover, which includes pre-existing conditions from day one.
What’s actually included
Beyond emergency treatment, most schemes include virtual GP consultations, mental health support, physiotherapy, and diagnostic services. Some add dental and optical cover. These aren’t just emergency provisions – they’re services your team will use regularly.
Confidentiality
Individual claims remain confidential. As an employer, you’ll only see aggregated scheme usage data at renewal – never details of who claimed for what.
How Long Does Setup Take?
Most schemes are up and running within two to four weeks:
- Provide basic employee information (names, dates of birth, postcodes – no medical history required for quotes)
- We obtain quotes from all relevant insurers
- You select the most suitable option
- Employees receive their membership details
We manage the administration throughout.
Why Work With a Broker?
If you approach an insurer directly, you’ll only see their products and pricing. A broker compares the whole market.
We obtain quotes from Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, The Exeter, and other providers – same specification, different prices. The difference can be significant, sometimes 30–40% for equivalent cover.
There’s no additional cost to you. Insurers pay our fee, and you pay the same premium you would going direct – often less, because we know where to find competitive rates.
We also provide ongoing support: adding new employees, assisting with claims queries, and reviewing your scheme at renewal to ensure you’re still getting appropriate value.
Is This Right for Your Business?
Private health insurance isn’t essential for every business. If budgets are tight or you’re still establishing the company, there may be higher priorities.
But if you’re at a stage where:
- Losing a key team member for several months would materially impact the business
- You’re competing for talent and want a meaningful benefit to offer
- You genuinely want to support your employees’ health and wellbeing
…then it’s worth exploring what’s available.
A brief conversation will give you enough information to make an informed decision. We’ll ask about your team, provide an indicative cost, and you can decide whether to proceed. No obligation, no pressure.
Get in Touch
Online: https://getaquote.healthplan.co.uk/quote-page-business
Phone: 020 3039 3959
Email: [email protected]
We typically respond the same working day.
Sources
- NHS waiting list data: NHS England, September 2025
- Median waiting times: King’s Fund, October 2025
- Sickness absence statistics: Office for National Statistics, June 2025
- Market data: LaingBuisson Health Cover UK Market Report, 2025
- Pricing examples: Anonymised client data, 2025
Last updated: December 2025
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Please obtain a personalised quote based on your specific circumstances.
Healthplan is a trading style of Sante Partners Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 914023).