Self-employed Health Insurance

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Self Employed Health Insurance

What is self-employed health insurance?

Self-employed health insurance is aimed at sole traders, freelancers, contractors and gig economy workers. It acts just like the health insurance available to many salaried people through their employer, but arguably with even more value for those who work for themselves.

When you’re self-employed, your health can have a direct impact on your income. If you’re unable to work because you’re waiting for a diagnosis or treatment, there’s no employer to provide sick pay – and often nobody who can fill in for you.

Health insurance is there so you can be seen without the stress and delay of NHS waiting times. It gives you access to private healthcare if you develop a new health condition or sustain an injury, helping you get consultations, diagnostic tests and treatment when you need them.

All self-employed health insurance policies include core cover, which forms the foundation of your policy. This typically pays for diagnostic tests, inpatient and day-patient treatment when you need to go into hospital, plus outpatient consultations.

You’ll be covered for new conditions and injuries that develop after your policy starts. That could mean getting a suspicious mole checked, having scans for persistent back pain or receiving treatment for a hernia. Your policy can help you access private specialists quickly and often at a time that suits you.

There are some important exclusions. For example, A&E visits and some ongoing conditions like asthma and diabetes aren’t covered. But reassuringly, extensive cancer cover is included as standard by most leading insurers.

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 plan to make sure the cover meets your needs.

Being self-employed gives you plenty of freedom, but it can also mean that your income depends heavily on your ability to work. If you become ill, a long wait for diagnosis or treatment on the NHS could mean time unable to work and missing out on income you can’t afford to lose.

Private health insurance gives you another option, potentially helping you get diagnosed and treated more quickly for covered conditions. And getting back on your feet sooner means less time away from your business and less disruption to your income.

It can also give you greater choice over where and when you receive treatment, depending on the policy you choose.

Here are some of the potential benefits:

Get access to private consultations and diagnostic tests for covered conditions.

Once diagnosed, you could receive treatment sooner than you would through the NHS.

Depending on your policy, you can choose from different hospitals and treatment options.

Convenient healthcare services can make it easier to get medical advice and treatment around your working commitments.

Know that you have private healthcare available if you need it.

7.33 million

In July 2026, there were 7.33 million cases on the NHS waiting list, with around 111,000 patients waiting more than a year for treatment.

Call for advice and deals from top providers

Looking to arrange self-employed health insurance? We help you compare options from top UK insurers. One of our qualified health insurance advisers will take the time to understand your needs before recommending suitable cover that fits your requirements and budget. Call our team today on 0800 144 4777 or request a call back.

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While cover varies depending on the provider and policy selected, a number of common benefits are often included with self-employed plans.

To give you an idea of what self-employed health insurance can offer, the following features are often provided as standard or 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	Most insurers include cancer cover 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.
Dental, hearing and optical	Helps with the cost of routine check-ups, glasses and treatment for unexpected 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.

Self-employed 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.

The table below highlights some of the most common exclusions you are likely to find with self-employed health insurance.

Exclusion	Explanation
Pre-existing conditions	Medical conditions you had symptoms of, received treatment for or were diagnosed with before your policy started are often excluded, although the exact approach depends on the insurer and underwriting method. Conditions and injuries that develop after your policy begins are generally eligible for cover, subject to the policy terms and exclusions.
Cosmetic procedures	Treatments carried out purely for cosmetic reasons, such as facelifts or nose jobs, are usually excluded.
Routine pregnancy and childbirth	Routine pregnancy and childbirth are generally excluded from private medical insurance, although some policies may offer limited maternity benefits or cash payments.
Long-term chronic condition management	Ongoing treatment and management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, are usually handled by the NHS. Private health insurance may cover the initial diagnosis or eligible short-term treatment, depending on the policy.

Individual health insurance covers you personally, giving you access to private medical treatment for eligible conditions. This can be a simple option if you work alone and don't need to cover any team members. If you want to add your partner or children to your plan, then joint and family policies are also available.

Some insurers allow sole traders and freelancers to take out small business health insurance, even if you’re not a limited company. To be eligible, you’ll usually need to show that you’re actively trading and that the business is paying for the policy.

Typical criteria include:

Proof of actively trading in the UK.
A UK trading address and UK residency.
Premiums paid by the business (a personal account may be accepted if it’s used only for business purposes).
At least one person working for the business to be covered by the policy.

Some insurers have stricter rules. For example, certain providers only offer business schemes when there are at least two employees.

The additional options you get with a self‑employed plan can vary by insurer. As an example, some providers offer optional travel‑related benefits, including emergency medical treatment, with their self‑employed cover. You may also be able to add your partner and children if you wish to extend cover to family members.

Not sure which route is right for you? Our experienced advisers can compare the options available and help you understand which type of policy best matches your circumstances.

How much does self-employed health insurance cost?

There’s no standard price for self-employed health insurance, as each quote is tailored to you and the cover options you select. It can be more affordable than you might expect though. As an example, one leading UK insurer offers self-employed cover starting from just £21.49 a month, with this entry-level option including diagnostics and therapies. Your premium will depend on factors including your age, where you live and the level of cover you choose:

Factor	How it affects cost
Age	Premiums are often based on your age as an individual, or the average age of the group if you are also insuring some employees. A younger workforce may result in lower costs, while an older group can increase premiums.
Level of cover	More comprehensive cover generally costs more.
Location	Costs can vary by region, with premiums in areas such as London higher due to higher treatment costs.
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 self-employed 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 fee-free, impartial advice to help you make an informed decision for your self-employed business. They’ll take the time to understand your needs 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 self-employed business, including the level of cover you want to offer and if you want to cover your family members too.

We’ll look at the cover you need and any extras you’d like, such as travel cover for working or travelling abroad, which some self-employed policies offer.

By comparing policies from leading UK insurers, we’ll find options that match your personal and business needs, your budget and preferences.

We’ll tailor quotes around your requirements, including cover levels, any optional extras you wish to include, your preferred hospital list and any excess you’re comfortable paying when you claim.

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 you and your business, rather than a one-size-fits-all comparison, helping you choose the right cover with confidence.

Annual reviews

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 self-employed needs and remains competitively priced as your business size or circumstances change.

If you’re looking to compare self-employed 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 getting great value cover.

Here are some options to consider when choosing your plan and level of cover:

You’ll pay more towards a claim, but your premium could be lower.

Choosing a more basic policy without additional benefits such as dental cover, psychiatric support, physiotherapy or second medical opinions can help keep costs down.

Optional benefits can add to your premium, so consider which ones are genuinely valuable to you.

Some insurers offer a scheme where, if NHS treatment is available within six weeks, you use those services instead of private care.

Let us help you get great cover AND great value

Speaking to a specialist who can compare a range of self-employed plans on your behalf is the best way to make sure you’re getting the right cover for your needs at a competitive price. Call our team today on 0800 144 4777 or request a call back.

Our advisers make health insurance simple and find great value cover that’s right for you.

Busy right now? Choose a day and time that suits you and we'll call you back.

Prefer to start online? Use our quick tool to get an initial health insurance quote in seconds.

Page reviewed on 11th September 2025

While cover varies depending on the provider and policy selected, a number of common benefits are often included with self-employed plans.

To give you an idea of what self-employed health insurance can offer, the following features are often provided as standard or 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	Most insurers include cancer cover 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.
Dental, hearing and optical	Helps with the cost of routine check-ups, glasses and treatment for unexpected 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.

Self Employed Health Insurance

What is self-employed health insurance?

How does self-employed health insurance work?

Why have self-employed health insurance?

Faster diagnosis

Quicker treatment

More choice

Less disruption to your work

Peace of mind

Millions are still waiting for NHS treatment

Call for advice and deals from top providers

What does self-employed health insurance typically cover?

What isn’t covered by self-employed health insurance?

Business or individual health insurance – which is right for you?

Individual health insurance

Business health insurance

How much does self-employed health insurance cost?

How our self-employed health insurance comparison service works

1. Understanding your needs

2. Reviewing your business requirements

3. Comparing suitable insurers

4. Building your tailored quote

5. Clear recommendations

6. Applying for cover

Annual reviews

How to reduce self-employed health insurance premiums

Higher excess

Lower level of cover

Only add extras you’ll use

Six-week NHS option

Frequently asked questions

Is self-employed health insurance tax-deductible?

Can I switch my self-employed health insurance plan?

Can I include my partner or family?

What’s the difference between self-employed health insurance and income protection?

Get tailored health insurance advice and quotes

Call us now

We’ll call you

Get an online quote

What is self-employed health insurance?

How does self-employed health insurance work?

Why have self-employed health insurance?

Faster diagnosis

Quicker treatment

More choice

Less disruption to your work

Peace of mind

Millions are still waiting for NHS treatment

Call for advice and deals from top providers

What does self-employed health insurance typically cover?

What isn’t covered by self-employed health insurance?

Business or individual health insurance – which is right for you?

Individual health insurance

Business health insurance

How much does self-employed health insurance cost?

How our self-employed health insurance comparison service works

1. Understanding your needs

2. Reviewing your business requirements

3. Comparing suitable insurers

4. Building your tailored quote

5. Clear recommendations

6. Applying for cover

Annual reviews

How to reduce self-employed health insurance premiums

Higher excess

Lower level of cover

Only add extras you’ll use

Six-week NHS option

Frequently asked questions

Is self-employed health insurance tax-deductible?

Can I switch my self-employed health insurance plan?

Can I include my partner or family?

What’s the difference between self-employed health insurance and income protection?

Get tailored health insurance advice and quotes

Call us now

We’ll call you

Get an online quote