Employee health insurance
& benefits packages
Private medical care for your team, paid for by the company. One health insurance policy, the whole workforce. Whole-of-market access to Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA.
- Group plans from 2 employees upwards
- Premiums per head lower than individual cover
- Tax deductible business expense for the company
- Most schemes set up in 1–2 weeks
Private medical care for your team, paid for by the company
Employee health insurance gives your team fast access to private medical care, paid for by the company. This page explains how cover works, what it costs, and how it fits into a wider employee benefits package. 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 employee health insurance?
Employee health insurance is a private medical insurance plan a company buys to cover its team. Each employee can access private healthcare for consultations, scans, surgery and aftercare. They get same-day GP appointments and shorter waits — without paying anything out of pocket.
It is also called business health insurance, company health insurance, or group health insurance. The names overlap. They all describe one health plan that covers two or more employees under a single policy.
Why offer employee health insurance?
Healthy staff take fewer sick days. A team with quick access to private medical care gets back to work faster. That has a clear effect on productivity and the overall cost of running the business. Employee health insurance also helps you attract and retain talent. Pay alone is not enough. A solid health plan signals you care about your employees' health. It is one of the most-valued employee benefits on the market.
Fewer sick days
Quick access to private medical care means staff get back to work faster. A clear effect on productivity and running costs.
Attract & retain talent
Pay alone is not enough. A solid health plan signals you care about your employees' health — one of the most-valued employee benefits.
A standout benefit
One of the most-valued employee benefits on the UK market. A real differentiator when competing for talent.
What does an employee health insurance plan cover?
A core plan covers in-patient and day-patient care: hospital stays, scans and surgery. Out-patient cover for consultations, physio and diagnostic tests is added on. Cover for cancer and mental health support is built in or optional, depending on the insurer. You can shape the plan around the health and wellbeing needs of your team. Common add-ons include dental, optical, worldwide travel, an employee assistance programme and access to wellbeing services. Each level of cover sets what staff can claim against.
In-patient & day-patient
Hospital stays, scans and surgery — the core of every employee health insurance plan.
Out-patient & physio
Consultations, physio and diagnostic tests added on. Useful for back pain, joint issues and routine specialist referrals.
Cancer & mental health
Cover for cancer and mental health support is built in or optional — therapy, counselling and treatment.
Dental, optical & EAP
Add-ons: dental, optical, worldwide travel, an EAP and access to wellbeing services.
What is the difference between health insurance and a health cash plan?
Employee health insurance pays for the big things: surgery, scans and specialist consultations. A health cash plan pays back small set amounts for everyday healthcare costs like dental, eye tests and physio. A cash plan is cheap — often £5–£15 per employee per month — and easy to claim against. A health insurance plan costs more but covers the bills that really hurt. Many companies pair the two for full cover. The right mix depends on your team and your budget.
Employee health insurance
Pays for the big things — surgery, scans and specialist 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)
Health cash plan
Pays back small set amounts for everyday healthcare. From £5–£15 per employee per month.
- ✓Dental check-ups, hygiene and treatment
- ✓Eye tests and prescription eyewear
- ✓Routine physio and chiropractic visits
- ✓Prescription costs
- ✓Easy to claim against, low admin
How does employee health insurance support your employees?
Modern plans go beyond hospital claims. They support your employees day to day with a private GP service, mental health support, physio and access to wellbeing services like online tools and discount gym memberships. Health helplines and support services are bundled in. Many plans also include health and wellbeing benefits for the family, so staff can add a spouse or partner. That gives peace of mind to your team and their loved ones.
Private GP & physio
A private GP service, mental health support and physio — available day to day, not just when something serious happens.
Wellbeing & gym discounts
Online tools, health helplines, support services and discount gym memberships bundled in.
Family cover available
Most plans let staff add a spouse, partner or children. Wellbeing reaches the family, not just the employee.
Is an employee assistance programme included?
Most modern plans now include an employee assistance programme (EAP). An EAP gives 24/7 access to counselling, legal advice and money help. It is one of the most-used parts of any benefits package. Mental health support sits alongside the EAP. Cover for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression is built in or added on. Some insurers give direct access to therapy without a GP referral. Together, they make a strong wellbeing offer.
EAP — 24/7 access
Counselling, legal advice and money help — available around the clock. One of the most-used parts of any benefits package.
Mental health cover
Cover for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression is built in or added on. Limits vary by insurer.
Direct therapy access
Some insurers let staff book therapy without a GP referral — faster help when it's needed most.
Are health assessments part of the cover?
Many plans include yearly health assessments or health checks. These spot health concerns early, before they grow into bigger problems. Staff get health and wellbeing advice based on their results — and can take control of their health.
Bupa runs health assessments at its own clinics across the UK, and many insurers fund check-ups at independent providers like Nuffield Health. Others link checks to a digital health app. Health assessments help you support your employees' long-term wellbeing.
How does employee health insurance compare to individual health insurance?
Individual health insurance is bought by one person. The premium is based on their age and medical history. Each person pays for their own private health insurance and owns the policy. Employee health insurance spreads risk across the whole team. That usually means lower insurance premiums per head and easier underwriting. It is one of the most cost-effective routes to private medical insurance — for both small business health insurance and corporate plans.
Individual health insurance
Bought by one person. Full control, higher cost per head.
- ✓Premium based on your age and medical history
- ✓You own the policy and choose every option
- ✓No employer involvement — portable for life
- ✓Best for one-person companies and contractors
- ✓Costs more per person than equivalent group cover
Employee health insurance
One policy across the team. Lower cost per head, easier underwriting.
- ✓Risk spread across the whole team
- ✓Lower insurance premiums per head than individual
- ✓Easier underwriting — many on moratorium terms
- ✓Most cost-effective route to private medical insurance
- ✓Works for small business and corporate plans alike
How much does employee health insurance cost?
Cost depends 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 per employee per month. Older staff and richer plans cost more.
Premiums are a tax deductible business expense. Each employee pays tax on the cover as a benefit in kind through P11D. The cover is taxable for staff but not for the company. Always consult your accountant.
- Premium scales with team age, postcode and team size
- Tax deductible business expense for the company
- Benefit in kind on the employee — reported via P11D
- Indicative quote in 24 hours, full options thereafter
How do we choose the right plan?
Start with the team. How many people, how old, where based, what risks. Then set a budget. Then we shop the whole UK market. As a whole-of-market broker, we compare every health insurance plan and pick the right cover for your business customers.
We do not push one insurer. We weigh up insurance premiums, Defaqto ratings, hospital lists and mental health support. The right employee benefits package is rarely the cheapest one — it is the one that fits your goals.
The Montgomery employee benefits promise
Whole-of-market quotes
Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA — employee plans compared side by side.
Defaqto 5 Star plans
We highlight the highest-rated cover on the market — transparent ratings, no hidden trade-offs.
Insurance + cash plan + EAP
We model the right combo healthcare package and the real cost per head.
One dedicated adviser
Charles personally handles every employee benefits enquiry. No call-centre handovers.
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
Employee health insurance gives staff fast access to private medical care.
Plans suit firms with 2+ employees, from a small business to a large corporate workforce.
Core cover includes consultations, scans, surgery, mental health and a private GP.
Add-ons include dental, optical, worldwide travel, an EAP and health assessments.
A health cash plan can sit alongside health insurance for everyday healthcare costs.
The main UK insurers are Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA.
Premiums are a tax deductible business expense; staff pay tax on cover as a P11D benefit.
Health insurance FAQs
Is employee health insurance worth the cost?
For most firms, yes. The cost of a few sick days per employee usually outweighs the premium. Cover also helps you attract and retain top talent.
What is the smallest team size we can cover?
Most UK insurers offer group plans from 2–3 employees. Some accept a single director under a small business health insurance scheme.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
It depends on the underwriting. Moratorium cover excludes pre-existing conditions for two clear years. Medical History Disregarded covers them from day one but costs more.
Can family members be added?
Yes. Most plans let you add a spouse or partner and children. The company can pay or staff can pay extra for family cover.
Does cover include mental health support?
Most modern plans include mental health support and an employee assistance programme. Cover for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression is built in or added on.
Is employee health insurance a taxable benefit?
For the company, the premium is a tax deductible business expense. For each employee, it is a benefit in kind on the P11D and is taxable. Always consult your accountant.
What happens when an employee leaves?
Most insurers let leavers switch to an individual health insurance policy on continued personal medical exclusions. That keeps existing cover terms in place.
How long does it take to set up cover?
Most schemes go live in 1–2 weeks. We handle the quote, the paperwork and the staff onboarding for you.
Ready to compare cover?
Book a 15-minute no-obligation call with Charles to compare employee health insurance options and find the right plan for your team.
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