Business health insurance
for small businesses
Get your team seen quickly when they need it — private GP, scans, surgery and mental health support without the NHS wait. We compare every major insurer so you don't have to.
- Cover from 1 to 249+ employees
- Premiums from around £40 a month per healthy younger member
- We compare Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality & WPA
- Most schemes set up in 1–2 weeks
Get your team seen quickly, on cover that fits
Business health insurance helps your team get fast private medical care when they need it. This page explains how a business health insurance plan works, what it costs, and how to pick the right cover. As a whole-of-market broker, we compare plans from Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA so you don't have to.
What is business health insurance?
Business health insurance is a private medical insurance plan a company buys for its staff. It pays for private healthcare when an employee gets ill or hurt. That means they can skip long NHS waits and get seen quickly.
A small business health insurance plan can cover one person, a small team, or a whole firm. Most plans pay for a private GP, diagnostic tests, surgery and aftercare. Many also include health assessments and mental health support.
Why offer health insurance to your team?
Healthy staff take fewer sick days. That is why many small business health insurance customers say the cover pays for itself. Quick access to private healthcare gets people back to work faster. It also shows you care about employee health. Offering health benefits helps you keep good people. Pay is not the only thing that matters. A strong business healthcare plan can be the reason a worker stays. For small teams with 1 to 249 employees, this kind of perk stands out.
Fewer sick days
Quick access to private healthcare gets people back to work faster. Healthy staff take fewer sick days — the cover often pays for itself.
Keep good people
Pay isn't the only thing that matters. A strong business healthcare plan can be the reason a worker stays — and the reason your next hire says yes.
Show you care
Offering health benefits sends a clear signal: we look after our people. For small teams of 1 to 249 employees, this kind of perk genuinely stands out.
What does a business health insurance plan cover?
The level of cover you pick shapes what the plan pays for. A core plan covers in-patient and day-patient care: hospital stays, scans and surgery. You can then add out-patient cover for consultations, physio and diagnostic tests. You can also add cover for cancer and mental health, dental insurance, and worldwide travel insurance. Most health insurance products give a range of options. A good broker matches the plan to the health and wellbeing needs of your team.
In-patient & day-patient
Hospital stays, scans, surgery and aftercare — the core of every plan and the thing most people think of as “health insurance”.
Out-patient
Consultations, physio and diagnostic tests without staying overnight. Useful for back pain, joint problems and routine specialist referrals.
Cancer & mental health
Most plans add full cancer cover and mental health support — including therapy, counselling and inpatient treatment where needed.
Dental & worldwide travel
Add-ons that round out the package — routine dental, optical, and worldwide travel insurance for staff who travel for work.
How much does small business health insurance cost?
Insurance premiums depend on the number of employees, their age, where they live, and the level of cover. As a rough guide, cover for a healthy 30-year-old can start at around £40 a month. Older staff or richer plans cost more.
The cost is paid by the company and counts as a business expense, which can lower your Corporation Tax bill. But staff are taxed on it as a P11D benefit-in-kind, and the firm pays Class 1A National Insurance. Always consult your accountant on tax.
- Premium scales with age, postcode and team size
- Treated as a business expense for the company
- P11D benefit on the employee — speak to your accountant
- Multi-life schemes typically discount per employee
Who are the best business health insurance providers in the UK?
The four providers most people know are Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva and Vitality. WPA and Nuffield Health also run strong business schemes. Each has its own rules on hospital lists, underwriting and extra perks like gym links or digital health apps. There is no single "best" insurer. The right pick depends on your team and your budget.
Wide hospital access
Largest UK hospital network and the most-recognised brand — staff can be seen close to home almost anywhere.
Strong on mental health
Best-in-class mental health and therapy access — including direct routes that skip the GP referral.
Often best value
Frequently the keenest pricing on standard small-business plans, especially for younger workforces.
Rewards healthy living
Personal health fund, gym discounts and wearable rewards. Premiums fall the more your team engage.
Flexible cover options
Highly modular — pick exactly the components your team needs. Strong on transparent pricing.
What is the difference between health insurance and a cash plan?
A health insurance policy pays for the big things: surgery, scans and consultations. A cash plan pays set amounts back for everyday costs like dental check-ups, eye tests and physio visits. Many firms use both. The health insurance covers the large medical bills. The cash plan helps with day-to-day costs. This works well for small business health insurance customers who want full health and wellbeing cover.
Health insurance policy
Pays for the big things — surgery, scans and consultations.
- ✓In-patient and day-patient hospital treatment
- ✓Diagnostic tests and scans
- ✓Specialist consultations
- ✓Cancer cover and mental health support
- ✓Private GP access (most plans)
Cash plan
Pays set amounts back for everyday health costs.
- ✓Dental check-ups and fillings
- ✓Eye tests and prescription glasses
- ✓Routine physio and chiropractic visits
- ✓Prescription costs
- ✓Health screening and wellbeing perks
How does business health insurance support mental health?
Most modern business health insurance policies include mental health support. Cover for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression is built in or added on. Some plans give staff direct access to therapy without a GP referral. This matters because mental health is now a top cause of staff absence. A plan with good mental health cover supports both physical and mental health. It helps your people stay well and stay at work.
Built into modern plans
Cover for anxiety, depression and other conditions is built in or added on with most insurers today.
Direct therapy access
Some plans let staff book therapy without a GP referral — faster help when it's needed most.
Reduces absence
Mental health is now a top cause of staff absence. Good cover supports your team to stay well and stay at work.
Are health assessments included?
Many business health insurance plans include yearly health assessments or health checks. These spot health concerns early, before they turn into bigger problems. Staff also get health advice based on their results.
Some insurers, like Nuffield Health and Bupa, run health assessments at their own facilities across the UK. Vitality links checks to rewards. Ask your broker which works best for your team.
What are the underwriting options?
Underwriting decides how pre-existing conditions are handled. MHD (Moratorium) excludes pre-existing conditions for two clear years. MORI (Medical History Disregarded) covers everything from day one but costs more. FMU (Full Medical Underwriting) asks each member to declare their history. Your broker will help pick the right route.
Moratorium
Excludes pre-existing conditions for two clear years. After two symptom-free years, those conditions are covered. Most cost-effective for younger, healthier teams.
Medical History Disregarded
Covers everything from day one — including pre-existing conditions. Costs more, but gives the most certainty for staff with existing health needs.
Full Medical Underwriting
Each member declares their medical history individually. The insurer prices and excludes specific conditions up-front, so everyone knows exactly what's covered.
We can also move an existing scheme on "continued personal medical exclusions" so staff keep their cover terms when you switch insurer.
How do we help small business customers find the right cover?
We are a whole-of-market broker. We look at every major insurer, not just one. We get quotes from Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA and others, then show you the plans side by side.
We weigh up your number of employees, your budget, and the health needs of your staff. Then we recommend the right business health insurance for companies like yours. Whether you have a team of three or 250 or more employees, we find cover that fits.
The Montgomery health insurance promise
Whole-of-market quotes
Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA and Nuffield — compared side by side, every time.
Set up in 1–2 weeks
Most schemes go live inside two working weeks. We handle quotes, paperwork and onboarding.
One dedicated adviser
Charles personally handles every health insurance enquiry. No call-centre handovers.
Transparent commission
You see exactly what we earn. No hidden inducements pushing one insurer over another.
WhatsApp support
Real-time updates, claim help and quote tweaks — no email tag, no phone trees.
Annual scheme reviews
We re-broke your cover every renewal. If a better plan comes up, you'll be the first to know.
Don't take our word for it
Key takeaways
Business health insurance gives staff fast access to private medical care.
A small business health insurance plan can cover firms from 1 to 249 employees and beyond.
Cover usually includes in-patient care, with add-ons for out-patient, dental, mental health and worldwide travel insurance.
Top business health insurance providers in the UK include Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA.
Health insurance and a cash plan work well together for full health and wellbeing.
Premiums are a business expense but staff are taxed via P11D.
Underwriting routes (MHD, MORI, FMU) shape what is covered and the cost.
A whole-of-market broker compares all four providers and more.
Business health insurance, answered
Is business health insurance worth it for small teams?
For many small teams, yes. Quick private healthcare cuts sick days and helps you keep good staff. Even firms with a handful of people can get strong group health rates.
Can I cover my family on a business plan?
Yes. Most business health insurance policies let you add employees and their family members. The firm can pay, or staff can pay extra to add a partner or child.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
It depends on the underwriting. MORI covers them from day one. MHD covers them after two clear years. FMU looks at each person's history and may exclude some conditions.
Is dental insurance part of a health plan?
Dental insurance is usually a separate add-on or part of a cash plan. Some insurers bundle it in. We will show the cost of adding it to your business healthcare plan.
How fast can staff be seen?
A private GP video call can often be booked the same day. Consultations follow within days. Diagnostic tests and surgery move quickly once a referral is made.
Can I claim the cost back through my company?
The premium is a business expense and lowers your Corporation Tax bill. Each staff member pays income tax on it as a P11D benefit, and the firm pays Class 1A National Insurance. Consult your accountant.
How long does it take to set up a plan?
Most business health insurance schemes can be set up in 1 to 2 weeks. We handle the quotes, the paperwork and the staff onboarding for you.
Ready to compare quotes?
Book a 15-minute no-obligation call with Charles to compare quotes from the UK's leading business health insurance providers and find cover that fits your team.
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