Group private medical
insurance & PMI
One company health insurance policy. Your whole workforce. Fast access to private medical care for teams of 2 to 1,000+ employees. Whole-of-market access to every major UK insurer.
- Group PMI from 2 employees upwards
- Premiums per head lower than individual cover
- Compare Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality & WPA
- Defaqto 5 Star rated cover options
One policy. Your whole team. Fast access to private healthcare
Group private medical insurance gives your team fast access to private healthcare under a single policy. This page explains how PMI works, what it covers, and how to compare group cover from the UK's main health insurers. As a whole-of-market broker, we line up quotes from Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA so you don't have to.
What is group private medical insurance?
Group private medical insurance — often shortened to group PMI — is one health insurance policy that covers a group of employees. The company buys the plan and the insurer pays for private medical treatment when staff need it. That means same-day GP appointments, fast scans, and shorter wait times for surgery.
Group private medical insurance covers a whole workforce, or a chosen group within it. Cover includes hospital stays, consultations, diagnostic tests and mental health cover. It sits alongside the National Health Service, not instead of it, to give faster access to healthcare.
How does group PMI work?
The company picks the level of cover, the hospital list and the optional extras. The insurer prices the plan based on the average risk across the team. Risk is spread across the group, which keeps the insurance premium per person lower than buying individual health insurance. Once the plan is live, employees access private healthcare directly through the insurer. Most insurers offer a private GP service via app, a claim portal and 24/7 helpline. Cover for employees is straightforward: book, claim, treat.
Risk spread across the team
The insurer prices the plan on the average risk — not each member — which keeps the premium per head lower than individual cover.
Direct access via app
Most insurers offer a private GP service via app, a claim portal and 24/7 helpline. Book, claim, treat — no friction.
You pick the cover
Choose the level of cover, the hospital list and the optional extras. The plan is shaped around the needs of your workforce.
What does group private medical insurance cover?
A core group private medical insurance plan covers in-patient and day-patient care: hospital stays, scans and surgery in a private hospital. Out-patient cover for consultations, physio and diagnostic tests is added on. Mental health cover is built in or optional, depending on the insurer. Common add-ons include dental insurance, optical, worldwide travel, an employee assistance programme and a cash plan for everyday healthcare costs. Wellbeing services like health checks and digital tools are often bundled in. The right level of cover depends on the needs of your business.
In-patient & day-patient
Hospital stays, scans and surgery in a private hospital — the core of every group PMI plan.
Out-patient & mental health
Consultations, physio, diagnostic tests — plus mental health cover built in or added on.
Dental, optical & travel
Add-ons: dental insurance, optical, worldwide travel and a cash plan for everyday healthcare costs.
EAP & wellbeing
An employee assistance programme plus health checks and digital wellbeing tools, often bundled in.
Who is group PMI for?
Group private medical insurance suits any business with two or more employees. It works for a small business with a handful of staff and for large firms with thousands. Insurers split products between small business health insurance (1–249 staff) and corporate plans for bigger workforces. It is also a strong option for partnerships, charities and group practices. Insurance for small businesses is one of the fastest-growing parts of the UK private medical insurance market. Wherever you have a team you want to protect, group PMI is usually a more cost-effective route than individual cover.
Small businesses (2–249)
Designed for small business health insurance — from a handful of staff up to 249 employees. Quick to set up, keenly priced.
Larger firms & corporates
Above 249 employees, plans shift to corporate pricing — bespoke schemes, healthcare trusts and tiered cover by role.
Partnerships & charities
Strong fit for partnerships, charities and group practices — wherever you have a team to protect at a lower cost per head.
How does group PMI compare to individual health insurance?
Individual health insurance is bought by one person. The premium is based on their age and medical history. They own the policy. An individual plan gives full control but costs more per head. A group plan spreads risk across the whole team. That usually means a lower cost per head and easier underwriting. Many insurers let staff move from group cover to an individual policy when they leave, without new exclusions. For most businesses, group cover wins on price and admin.
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
Group PMI
One policy across the team. Lower cost per head, easier underwriting.
- ✓Risk spread across the whole team
- ✓Lower cost per head than individual cover
- ✓Easier underwriting — many on moratorium terms
- ✓Leavers can usually switch to individual cover with kept terms
- ✓Wins on price and admin for most businesses
How does group PMI compare to a health cash plan?
A group private medical insurance plan pays for the big things: surgery, scans and specialist consultations. A cash plan pays back small set amounts for everyday healthcare like dental and eye tests. They cover different needs. Health cash plans cost less — often £5–£15 per employee per month — and are easy to claim against. PMI costs more but covers the bills that really hurt. Many companies pair the two for full health cover. Both can be added to an existing health insurance policy or bought standalone.
Group PMI — for the big bills
Pays for surgery, scans and specialist consultations in a private hospital. Costs more than a cash plan but covers the bills that really hurt.
Cash plan — for everyday costs
Pays back set amounts for dental, eye tests and physio. Often £5–£15 per employee per month. Many companies pair the two for full health cover.
How much does group private medical insurance cost?
The health insurance cost depends on the number of employees, their age, where they live, and the level of cover. As a rough guide, group PMI for a healthy 30-year-old can start at around £40 a month. Older staff and richer plans cost more.
Premiums are a tax deductible business expense. Each employee is taxed on the cover as a P11D benefit. We can give you an indicative quote in 24 hours and a full set of options once we have your data — including cover for medical conditions and mental health.
- Premium scales with team age, postcode and team size
- Tax deductible business expense for the company
- P11D benefit on each employee — speak to your accountant
- Indicative quote in 24 hours, full options thereafter
Who are the best private health insurance providers in the UK?
The big four UK health insurers are Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva and Vitality. WPA also runs strong group plans. Each insurance provider has its own private hospital list, GP service and Defaqto rating. There is no single "best private health insurance" — the right insurer depends on your team and your budget.
Wide hospital access
Largest UK private 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 group PMI plans, especially for younger workforces.
Rewards healthy living
Personal health fund, gym discounts and wearable rewards. Premiums fall the more your team engage.
Flexible group plans
Highly modular — pick exactly the components your team needs. Strong on transparent pricing.
How does group PMI support employee wellbeing?
Modern group plans go beyond hospital claims. They protect health and wellbeing day to day. That means private GP appointments, mental health cover, physio and access to wellbeing services like online tools, health coaching and gym discounts. Quick treatment cuts sick days. A team that gets back to full health quickly stays productive. Group PMI also helps companies attract and retain top talent, which is one reason it has become a standard employee benefit in UK business.
Day-to-day wellbeing
Private GP appointments, mental health cover, physio and access to online tools, health coaching and gym discounts.
Quick treatment cuts sick days
A team that gets back to full health quickly stays productive. PMI pays for itself in fewer lost days.
Attract & retain talent
Group PMI has become a standard employee benefit in UK business — one of the strongest pulls for attracting top talent.
How do we choose the right group PMI plan?
Start with the workforce. How many people, how old, where based, what health needs. Then set a budget. Then shop the whole UK market. As a whole-of-market broker, we compare every health insurance product and pick the right cover for your business.
We do not push one insurer. We look at premiums, Defaqto ratings, hospital lists and mental health cover. The right group private medical insurance plan is rarely the cheapest — it is the one that fits your goals.
The Montgomery group PMI promise
Whole-of-market quotes
Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA — group PMI plans compared side by side.
Defaqto 5 Star plans
We highlight the highest-rated cover on the market — transparent ratings, no hidden trade-offs.
Set up in 1–2 weeks
Most group PMI schemes go live inside two working weeks. We handle quotes, paperwork and onboarding.
One dedicated adviser
Charles personally handles every group PMI 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 group PMI 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
Group private medical insurance (group PMI) covers a whole team under a single policy.
Premiums per head are usually lower than individual health insurance.
Cover includes consultations, scans, surgery, mental health and a private GP service.
The main UK health insurers are Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality and WPA.
Plans suit any size of business, from a small business to a large corporate workforce.
A cash plan can be added on for everyday healthcare costs.
Premiums are a tax deductible business expense; staff pay tax on cover as a P11D benefit.
Health insurance FAQs
What is the minimum group size for PMI?
Most UK insurers offer group private medical insurance from 2–3 employees. Some accept a single director under a group scheme. We quote across all insurance providers to find the lowest entry size.
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. Underwriting also shapes the health insurance cost.
Can family members be added?
Yes. Most group private medical insurance plans offer family cover. The company can pay or staff can pay extra to add a partner and children.
Is group PMI tax deductible?
The premium is a tax deductible business expense. Each employee is taxed on the cover as a P11D benefit. Always consult your accountant.
What happens when an employee leaves?
Most insurers let leavers switch to a private health insurance policy on continued personal medical exclusions. That keeps existing cover terms in place.
Does group PMI cover chronic conditions?
Group PMI covers acute medical issues — those that respond to treatment. It does not normally cover the long-term care of a chronic condition once it is stable. Your broker will explain the line clearly.
Can we offer different levels of cover to different staff?
Yes. Many insurers let you split the workforce into tiers — for example, full cover for directors and a lighter plan for the wider team.
How long does it take to set up?
Most group private medical insurance plans go live in 1–2 weeks. We handle the quote, the paperwork and the staff onboarding for you.
Ready to compare group PMI?
Book a 15-minute no-obligation call with Charles to compare group private medical insurance options and find the right cover for your business.
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