Small business health insurance
for UK firms
Fast access to private medical care for teams of 1–249 employees. We compare every major UK insurer — including Defaqto-rated 5 Star plans — so you don't have to.
- Cover for 1 to 249+ employees
- Premiums from around £40 a month per healthy younger member
- We compare Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality & WPA
- Defaqto 5 Star rated cover options
Get your team seen quickly, on cost-effective cover that fits
Small business health insurance gives your team fast access to private medical care when they need it. This page explains what cover includes, what it costs, and how to get a quote. As a whole-of-market broker, we compare plans from Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA — including Defaqto-rated 5 Star options — so you don't have to.
What is small business health insurance?
Small business health insurance is a private medical insurance plan a company buys to give employees access to private healthcare. Most policies pay for consultations with a private GP, diagnostic tests, surgery, physio and aftercare. The aim is to skip long NHS waits and get your team treated quickly.
Plans are built for firms with 1–249 employees, but cover is open to any size of business. You pick the level of cover, the hospital list, and the optional extras like dental insurance and worldwide travel cover.
What does a small business health insurance plan cover?
A core small business health insurance plan covers in-patient and day-patient care: hospital stays, scans, surgery and specialist treatment. You can then add out-patient cover for consultations, diagnostic tests, physiotherapy and physio sessions. Most plans also include cover for cancer and mental health support. You can bolt on dental insurance, optical cover and worldwide travel cover. The right cover options depend on the health and wellbeing needs of your team.
In-patient & day-patient
Hospital stays, scans, surgery and specialist treatment — the core of every plan.
Out-patient
Consultations, diagnostic tests, physiotherapy and physio sessions without an overnight stay.
Cancer & mental health
Most plans include cover for cancer and mental health support — therapy, counselling and treatment.
Dental, optical & travel
Bolt-on dental insurance, optical cover and worldwide travel cover for staff who travel for work.
How much does small business health insurance cost?
The 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 a month. Older staff and richer plans cost more.
Premiums are a tax deductible business expense, which can lower your Corporation Tax bill. But each employee is taxed on the cover as a P11D benefit. For a quick indicative quote, talk to your broker or get a quote online.
- Premium scales with age, postcode and team size
- Tax deductible business expense for the company
- P11D benefit on the employee — speak to your accountant
- Multi-life schemes typically discount per employee
Who are the main private medical insurance providers in the UK?
The big four UK health insurers are Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva and Vitality. WPA also runs strong group health insurance plans. Each insurer has its own hospital list, GP services and Defaqto rating. We weigh up cost, cover and Defaqto scores to pick the right insurance policy for your business.
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, discounted gym memberships and wearable rewards. Premiums fall the more your team engage.
Flexible group health plans
Highly modular — pick exactly the components your team needs. Strong on transparent pricing.
What are the business benefits for your employees?
Healthy staff take fewer sick days. Quick access to private healthcare gets your team back to work faster. That cuts the cost of absence and protects output. A strong health insurance policy also helps small business owners attract top talent. Pay alone is not enough. Cost-effective employee benefits — built around health and wellbeing — give small businesses an edge over bigger firms.
Fewer sick days
Quick access to private healthcare gets people back to work faster — cutting the cost of absence and protecting output.
Attract top talent
Pay alone is not enough. A strong health benefits package gives small businesses an edge over bigger firms when hiring.
Show you care
Cost-effective employee benefits built around health and wellbeing send a clear signal: we look after our people.
Does the plan include GP services and physio?
Yes — most modern plans include private GP services through a video app. Employees access a doctor in minutes, not weeks. Many insurers offer same-day appointments with a private GP. Physio and physiotherapy are usually part of out-patient cover. Treatment for back pain, joint pain and sports injuries is included as eligible treatment. This stops muscle and joint issues — a top cause of absence — from turning into long sick leave.
Same-day private GP
Most modern plans include a video-app GP service — staff often book a doctor the same day, not weeks ahead.
Physio for back & joint pain
Physiotherapy is usually part of out-patient cover — treatment for back pain, joint pain and sports injuries is eligible.
Stops short into long
Catching muscle and joint issues fast stops them turning into long-term sick leave — one of the top causes of absence.
What about mental health and wellbeing support?
Most plans now include mental health cover. Cover for stress, anxiety and depression is built in or added on as an option. Some insurers give direct access to therapy without a GP referral. Health and wellbeing support also covers health checks, online wellbeing tools and mental health support helplines. Offering mental health cover sends a clear message: you care about your people. That matters when attracting top talent.
Stress, anxiety & depression
Cover for the most common mental health conditions — built into modern plans or added on as an option.
Direct therapy access
Some insurers let staff book therapy without a GP referral — faster help when it's needed most.
Wellbeing tools & helplines
Health checks, online wellbeing tools and mental health support helplines round out the package.
Is dental insurance included in a health plan?
Dental insurance is usually a separate add-on or part of a cash plan, sold at an additional cost. Some insurers bundle it in. Dental cover pays back set amounts for check-ups, hygiene visits and treatment. A cash plan is good for everyday health costs like eyewear, dental and physio. A health insurance policy is better for the big stuff: surgery, scans and specialist care. Many small businesses use both.
Health insurance policy
Better for the big stuff — surgery, scans and specialist care.
- ✓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 (dental + everyday)
Pays back set amounts for everyday health costs.
- ✓Dental check-ups, hygiene and treatment
- ✓Eye tests and prescription eyewear
- ✓Routine physio and chiropractic visits
- ✓Prescription costs
- ✓Health screening and wellbeing perks
How does group medical insurance compare to individual cover?
Group health insurance is often cheaper per person than buying individual cover. Insurers price a business group on the average risk, not each member. That can mean better cover for less money.
A business group plan also makes admin easier — one policy, one renewal, one bill. As your headcount grows past 249 employees, the plan can shift from small business pricing to mid-market pricing. Your broker will guide you.
How do I get a quote for health insurance in the UK?
The fastest way is to speak to a whole-of-market broker. We get quotes from Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA, then show you the plans side by side. We compare price, cover and Defaqto rating.
You can also request a quote online for an indicative quote. But a broker will dig into your business needs — number of employees, health risks, budget — and find the cost-effective employee benefits package that fits.
The Montgomery small business health promise
Whole-of-market quotes
Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA and Nuffield — compared side by side, every time.
Defaqto 5 Star plans
We highlight the highest-rated plans on the market — so you know exactly what you're getting.
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.
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
Small business health insurance gives employees quick access to private medical care.
Cover is built for firms with 1–249 employees and beyond.
Plans usually include private GP services, consultations, scans, surgery and physio.
Add-ons include dental insurance, mental health cover and worldwide travel.
The main UK private health insurance providers are Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva and Vitality.
Premiums are a tax deductible business expense, but staff pay tax on cover as a P11D benefit.
A whole-of-market broker compares cost, cover and Defaqto ratings on your behalf.
Small business health insurance, answered
Is small business health insurance worth it?
For most small businesses, yes. The cost is often less than a single day of lost output per employee. Private healthcare also helps attract top talent and keep your best people.
Can I cover just the directors?
Yes. Many plans cover one or two key people only. This is common for owner-managed firms. You can add other employees later as the business grows.
What is Defaqto?
Defaqto is an independent rating service for insurance products. A 5 Star Defaqto rating means the plan offers a high level of cover. We use Defaqto scores when comparing health insurance options.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
It depends on the underwriting. Moratorium cover (MHD) covers pre-existing conditions after two clear years. Medical History Disregarded (MORI) covers them from day one but costs more.
Does the plan cover cancer?
Yes — cancer cover is usually included in a health plan as standard. Most insurers cover scans, drugs and specialist consultations including cancer treatment.
Can employees access a GP through the plan?
Yes. Most insurers offer a private GP service via app or video call. Employees access a GP — often the same day — without an NHS wait.
Is health insurance tax deductible?
For the company, yes — it is a tax deductible business expense and lowers your tax liability. For each employee, it is a P11D benefit. Always consult your accountant.
How long does it take to set up?
Most plans go live in 1–2 weeks. We handle the quote, the paperwork and the staff onboarding for you.
Ready to compare quotes?
Book a 15-minute no-obligation call with Charles to compare the best small business health insurance options in the UK and find the right cover for your team.
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