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The Money Service Ltd is an appointed representative of The Right Mortgage Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA No.1057589. The Money Service Ltd is registered in England and Wales with company number 11837878. Registered Office: 52 Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough, PE7 8JB. The information contained in this website is subject to UK regulatory regime and is therefore intended for consumers based in the UK.
Business health insurance is a ‘win-win’, providing valuable benefits to employees and potentially boosting your company's performance. It's why the Association of British Insurers reported a record 4.8 million people received cover through their employer in 2024, the highest level in over 30 years.
You arrange a group policy that gives your staff access to private healthcare to help them get diagnosed and treated sooner than is typically possible on the NHS. This can include anything from 24/7 health helplines to digital GP access, consultations, diagnostic tests and hospital treatment.
Policies can be tailored to suit the size and needs of your business, as well as your available budget. Cover levels and benefits can be customised, including the option to provide the same benefits to everyone or shape cover for different individuals or groups.
For your employees, having the reassurance of private health insurance alongside NHS care can make a very real contribution to their health and wellbeing. It also shows your team that you value them, which can positively contribute to morale in the workplace.
Just as importantly, investing in a group plan may help to reduce absenteeism. In fact, ABI research showed that workplace health benefits prevented 14 million sick days in a single year.
Having access to private healthcare is also something many candidates look for, so it can help you attract top talent. The Independent Healthcare Providers Network found that 62% of people believe all workplaces should offer private healthcare as part of their benefits package.
Here's a summary of why a group health insurance plan could be a sound investment for your business:
• Improved employee wellbeing: Show your team that their health matters by giving them a valuable benefit they can appreciate.
• Stronger recruitment and retention: Make your benefits package more attractive to prospective employees and give existing staff another reason to stay.
• Reduced absence: Help minimise the impact of illness or injury on your workforce and support employees in returning to work more quickly.
We’ve worked hard to ensure the information on this page is accurate and up to date. However, insurers can change their terms, pricing and cover at any time. You should always check the full policy documents before choosing a business plan to make sure the cover meets your organisation's needs.
Business health insurance in the UK is usually structured around the size of the workforce and the level of flexibility a business needs. Leading insurers often distinguish between small business plans and larger corporate schemes.
These policies are designed for smaller firms, typically covering up to 249 employees, and often start from as few as one or two people. They typically include core benefits such as outpatient consultations, inpatient and day patient treatment, mental health support, and options such as dental and optical cover.
Larger organisations of 250+ employees may be able to access more tailored corporate schemes with potentially enhanced core cover. For example, one leading insurer includes a wider set of diagnostic tests in its corporate core cover, such as pathology, X‑rays, CT scans and physiological tests like ECGs. They also offer enhanced cancer care options and fertility treatment options, amongst others.
Looking to arrange cover for your business? We help you compare options from top UK insurers. One of our qualified health insurance advisers will take the time to understand your business needs before recommending suitable cover that fits your requirements and budget. Call our team today on 0800 144 4777 or request a call back.
Business health insurance is designed to help keep employees healthy, supported and more able to stay focused on their work. While cover can vary depending on the provider and policy selected, a number of common benefits are often included.
To help illustrate what business health insurance can offer, the following features are often provided as standard or made available as optional extras, depending on the insurer you choose:
Area of cover | What it typically includes |
|---|---|
Specialist consultations | Faster access to consultants for diagnosis, advice and tailored treatment plans. |
Diagnostic tests | Scans and tests such as x-rays, MRIs and blood tests, helping to speed up diagnosis. |
Treatment for acute conditions | Cover for short-term illnesses or injuries requiring prompt treatment. |
Inpatient and day patient care | Hospital treatment, including consultant fees, theatre costs, nursing care and prescribed drugs where required. |
Cancer cover | Comprehensive cancer care is included as standard, with access to specialist treatment centres, drugs, ongoing care and emotional support services, depending on the policy. |
Mental health support | Access to counselling, therapy and mental health services. |
Physiotherapy | Support for recovery from injury, aches or musculoskeletal conditions. |
Health advice helplines | Remote access to medical advice and guidance from qualified professionals, for example, a menopause support helpline. |
Virtual GP services | Fast and convenient GP consultations via phone or video, without the need for in-person appointments. |
This is an important area to consider, as cover for pre-existing and chronic (long-term ongoing) conditions can vary between providers and policies. Unlike some individual health insurance plans, certain business health insurance policies may offer the option to include pre-existing conditions, usually for an additional premium.
In other cases, insurers may offer cover for pre-existing conditions after a specified symptom-free period. For example, this could apply where no treatment, medication or medical advice has been needed for a set period of time. The exact terms will depend on the underwriting method selected when arranging the policy, so it’s important to review the conditions carefully before making a decision.
Business health insurance may also cover chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease, asthma, diabetes or hypertension, depending on the insurer and the terms of the policy chosen. Chronic conditions are not usually covered by health insurance plans that people arrange for themselves - with the exception of cancer, as all leading insurers include cover for this as standard.
Business health insurance is designed to cover private treatment for eligible medical conditions, but there are some exclusions to be aware of. These can vary depending on the provider and level of cover you choose, so it’s important to check the details of any policy carefully.
Understanding what isn’t included can help set clear expectations for both employers and employees when selecting a plan.
Because cover can differ significantly between policies, it’s important to compare options carefully to ensure the plan meets the needs of both your business and your employees. The table below highlights some of the most common exclusions you are likely to find with business health insurance.
Exclusion | Explanation |
|---|---|
Emergency care | Private medical insurance generally covers planned, non-emergency treatment rather than A&E services. |
Cosmetic procedures | Treatments carried out purely for cosmetic reasons, such as facelifts or nose jobs, are usually excluded. |
Routine check-ups | Standard health screening and regular check-ups are often not included unless added as an optional extra. |
Dental care | Routine dental check-ups are typically excluded from business health insurance. However, several insurers offer dental care as an add-on to their small business or corporate plans. |
The cost of business health insurance can vary considerably depending on the needs of your business and your employees. Factors such as the size of your team, the level of cover selected, and where your business is based will all influence the overall price.
Insurers take a range of factors into account when calculating premiums. The main ones include:
Factor | How it affects cost |
|---|---|
Age | Premiums are often based on the average age of the group. A younger workforce may result in lower costs, while an older group can increase premiums. |
Work environment | Roles that are more physically demanding or higher risk may lead to higher premiums. |
Location | Costs can vary by region, with premiums in areas such as London higher due to higher treatment costs. |
Group size | Larger employee groups can reduce the average cost per person. |
Excess | Choosing a lower excess typically increases premiums, while a higher excess can help reduce costs. |
Because pricing can differ significantly between providers, the most effective way to understand the cost of cover is to compare quotes from leading business health insurance providers. This is all part of our health insurance advice service.
At Money Service, you’ll be connected with your own dedicated health insurance specialist. They will offer free, impartial advice to help you make an informed decision for your business. They’ll take the time to understand your company’s needs, workforce and budget, so any recommendations are tailored to you – and not a one-size-fits-all approach.
This means you get clear, unbiased guidance and suitable cover options from leading UK insurers, helping you choose the right plan for your business and employees.
We’ll start by discussing your reasons for arranging cover and your budget, before gathering key information about your business, including the size of your team, structure and the level of cover you want to offer.
Then we’ll make sure we understand your employees and any particular health considerations, helping identify the most suitable underwriting approach.
By comparing policies from leading UK insurers, we’ll find policies that match your business needs, budget and preferences, such as the hospitals your employees will be able to access.
We’ll tailor quotes around your requirements, including cover levels and any features such as mental health support, physiotherapy or additional employee benefits.
You’ll receive a clear recommendation, often alongside an alternative option, so you can compare with confidence.
If you decide to proceed, we’ll complete the application for you to make things as simple as possible.
This personalised service ensures you receive tailored recommendations based on your business, rather than a one-size-fits-all comparison, helping you choose the right cover with confidence.
Towards the end of your first year, we’ll get in touch to offer a free plan review. This helps ensure your cover continues to meet your business needs and remains competitively priced as your team or circumstances change.
Get your personalised business health insurance recommendation from a dedicated adviser today. Call 0800 144 4777 or arrange a call back at a time that suits you.
If you’re looking to compare business health insurance plans, cost will naturally be an important consideration. There are a few ways you may be able to reduce your premium while still offering valuable cover for your team.
Here are some options to consider when choosing your plan and level of cover:
Cost-saving option | How it works |
|---|---|
Higher excess | Increasing the excess employees pay when making a claim can help reduce overall premiums. |
Lower level of cover | Choosing a more basic policy without additional benefits such as dental cover, psychiatric support, physiotherapy or second medical opinions can help keep costs down. |
Six-week NHS option | Some insurers offer a scheme where, if NHS treatment is available within six weeks, employees will use NHS services instead of private care. |
Speaking to a specialist who can compare a range of plans on your behalf is the best way to make sure you’re getting the right cover for your company at a competitive price. Get started now by calling 0800 144 4777 or arrange a call back.
Save time, compare your options, and choose with confidence. Let our specialist advisers do the hard work for you, helping you find suitable cover from leading UK insurers.
