Small business private health
insurance for UK firms
Fast access to private healthcare for teams of 1 to 249 employees — including self-employed limited company directors. We compare every major UK insurer so you don't have to.
- Cover for 1 to 249+ employees & sole directors
- Premiums from around £40 a month per healthy younger member
- Compare Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality & WPA
- Most plans set up in 1–2 weeks
Skip the NHS wait — private healthcare built around your team
Small business private health insurance gives your team fast access to private healthcare without long NHS waits. This page explains what cover includes, how much it costs, and the options for small businesses across the UK. 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 small business private health insurance?
Small business private health insurance is a private medical insurance plan a company buys for its team. It pays for private healthcare, so staff get same-day GP appointments, fast scans, and shorter waits for medical treatment. It sits alongside the NHS, not instead of it.
Cover is built around the number of employees, their age, and the health and wellbeing needs of your team. Most plans cover hospital stays, consultations with a specialist, surgery and aftercare. You can add a private GP, dental and mental health cover to suit your business.
Why offer private cover to a small team?
Small business owners feel every sick day. When one person is off, output drops and pressure rises. A small business health insurance plan gives quick access to medical treatment so your team can return to work faster. Cover also helps you keep good people. Pay alone is not enough. A solid healthcare package shows you care about your employees' health. That matters when small businesses in the UK compete with bigger firms for talent.
Every sick day counts
When one person is off in a small team, output drops and pressure rises. Quick treatment means your team returns to work faster.
Keep good people
Pay alone is not enough. A solid healthcare package shows you care about your employees' health — a strong pull when competing with bigger firms.
Compete for talent
Small businesses in the UK compete with bigger firms for talent. Health benefits make your offer stand out without big-firm budgets.
What does small business health insurance cover?
A core small business health insurance plan covers in-patient and day-patient care: hospital stays, scans and surgery. Out-patient cover for consultations, physiotherapy and diagnostic tests can be added. Mental health cover and cancer cover are usually built in. Common add-ons include dental, optical, worldwide travel and an employee assistance programme. The level of health insurance cover you pick shapes what staff can claim. We help match cover options to your team's health and wellbeing needs.
In-patient & day-patient
Hospital stays, scans and surgery — the core of every small business plan.
Out-patient & physio
Consultations, physiotherapy and diagnostic tests added on without staying overnight.
Cancer & mental health
Cover for cancer and mental health conditions is usually built in — therapy, counselling and treatment.
Dental, optical & EAP
Add-ons: dental, optical, worldwide travel and an employee assistance programme for round-the-clock support.
What are the options for small businesses?
There are three main routes. A full small business health insurance plan covers big-ticket private medical care. A health cash plan pays back small set amounts for everyday costs like dental and eye tests. A combo of both gives full health coverage. Some firms add a standalone employee assistance programme for mental health support. Others bolt on health assessments and a private GP service. Insurance for small businesses is flexible — we line up the right mix for your business healthcare cover.
Full health insurance plan
Covers big-ticket private medical care — surgery, scans and specialist consultations. The classic small business PMI route.
Health cash plan
Pays back small set amounts for everyday costs like dental and eye tests. Cheap to run, easy to claim, popular with smaller teams.
Combo healthcare cover
Insurance + cash plan + EAP. The strongest small business healthcare package — covers everyday and big-bill care alike.
Who are the main UK health insurance providers?
The big names are Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva and Vitality. WPA also offers strong cover for businesses. Each insurer has its own private hospital list, GP service, cover options and Defaqto rating. There is no single "best" insurer — the right pick 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 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.
Are a private GP and health assessments included?
Most modern plans include a private GP service through a video app. Employees access a doctor in minutes — often the same day — instead of waiting weeks for an NHS GP. The private GP can refer to a specialist, prescribe and sign sick notes. Many plans also include yearly health assessments or health checks. These spot health concerns early. 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.
Same-day video GP
Employees access a doctor in minutes through a video app. No more weeks waiting for an NHS GP appointment.
Refer, prescribe, sign off
The private GP can refer to a specialist, prescribe and sign sick notes — same as an NHS GP, just faster.
Annual health assessments
Yearly health checks spot health concerns early. Run at Nuffield Health and Bupa clinics, or via a digital health app.
How does cover support health and wellbeing?
Modern small business health insurance goes beyond claims. Plans now include mental health cover, an employee assistance programme, online wellbeing tools and a 24/7 health helpline. Cover supports physical and mental health day to day. Wellbeing also reaches the family. Many plans let staff add a partner and children. That gives peace of mind to employees and their loved ones — and helps your team return to work faster after illness.
Mental health & EAP
Mental health cover plus an employee assistance programme for 24/7 personal, financial and work-stress support.
Family cover
Many plans let staff add a partner and children. Wellbeing reaches the family — not just the employee.
24/7 health helpline
Online wellbeing tools and a 24/7 health helpline give staff support whenever they need it — not just office hours.
Is there self-employed health insurance for sole directors?
Yes. Self-employed health insurance is available for one-person limited companies and sole directors. The cover works the same way — the company pays the premium, the director gets the care. It is one of the most common forms of insurance for small business owners.
For self-employed people, private health insurance bought through the business is often smarter than buying personal cover. Always consult your accountant on the tax treatment.
How much does small business private 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 per 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-in-kind. We give you an indicative quote in 24 hours and full health insurance options once we have your data.
- Premium scales with team age, postcode and team size
- Tax deductible business expense for the company
- P11D benefit-in-kind on each employee
- Indicative quote in 24 hours, full options thereafter
How do we choose the right plan for your business?
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.
We do not push one insurer. We weigh up premiums, Defaqto ratings, hospital lists and mental health support. The best small business healthcare package is rarely the cheapest — it is the one that fits your goals.
The Montgomery small business health promise
Whole-of-market quotes
Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA — small business 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 small business plans go live inside two working weeks. We handle quotes, paperwork and onboarding.
One dedicated adviser
Charles personally handles every small business 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 private health insurance gives staff fast access to private healthcare.
Plans suit firms with 1–249 employees, including self-employed limited company directors.
Core cover includes consultations, scans, surgery, mental health and a private GP.
Add-ons include dental, optical, worldwide travel, an EAP and health assessments.
The main UK health insurance providers are Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality and WPA.
Premiums are a tax deductible business expense; 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 private health insurance, answered
Is small business private health insurance worth it?
For most small business owners, yes. The cost of a few sick days per employee usually outweighs the premium. Cover also helps you attract and keep good people.
What is the smallest team size we can cover?
Many insurers offer plans from 2–3 employees. Some accept a single director under self-employed health insurance. We quote across all healthcare 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.
Can I cover family members?
Yes. Most plans let you add a partner and children. The company can pay or staff can pay extra. Cover options vary by insurer.
Does cover include mental health?
Most modern plans include mental health cover and an employee assistance programme. Cover for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression is built in or added on.
Is private health insurance tax deductible?
For the company, yes — it is a tax deductible business expense. For each employee, it is a P11D benefit in kind. Always consult your accountant.
Will my team have to wait for treatment?
Private healthcare typically means same-day GP appointments and short waiting times for scans, consultations and surgery — much faster than NHS waiting times.
How long does it take to set up cover?
Most small business health insurance plans 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 small business private health insurance options and find the right cover for your team.
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