Business Health Insurance
Whole-of-market corporate and SME health insurance solutions. Protect your people, reduce absenteeism, and benefit from Corporation Tax relief, with expert independent advice.
GET A BUSINESS QUOTEWhat is Business Health Insurance?
Business health insurance, also known as corporate PMI or group private medical insurance, allows employers to provide private healthcare for their employees under a single group policy.
It covers the cost of private medical treatment for acute conditions that develop after the policy begins. By giving employees faster access to diagnosis, specialist consultations and treatment, it significantly reduces time off work and demonstrates a genuine commitment to their wellbeing.
How Corporate Health Insurance Works
Your business takes out a single group policy that covers all eligible employees. Here's the typical journey.
Group Setup
Your business selects the level of cover, excess, and benefits. Employees are added to a single group scheme.
Underwriting
Depending on group size, schemes may qualify for Medical History Disregarded (MHD) underwriting, meaning no individual health assessments.
Claims & Treatment
When an employee needs treatment, they contact the insurer directly. Private consultations, diagnostics and treatment are arranged quickly.
Flexible Cover
Choose from core inpatient to comprehensive outpatient cover for your team.
Single Scheme
One policy, one renewal date, one point of contact for your entire workforce.
Family Extension
Employees can extend cover to include partners and children.
Why Invest in Employee Health Insurance?
Faster Return to Work
Reduce long-term sickness by giving staff fast access to private diagnosis and treatment.
Protect Key People
Safeguard the health of directors, senior managers and key revenue generators.
Corporation Tax Relief
Premiums are typically an allowable business expense, reducing your corporation tax bill.
Attract & Retain Talent
A compelling employee benefit that helps you recruit and keep the best people.
Reduce Absenteeism
On average, employees with PMI return to work 4× faster than those relying on NHS waiting lists.
Flexibility & Control
Tailor cover levels, excesses and benefits to suit your budget and workforce.
How Business Health Insurance Premiums Work
Business health insurance premiums are rated differently from individual policies. Group schemes are assessed on the overall demographics of the workforce, not individual medical histories.
Premiums often become more competitive as employee numbers increase. Leading insurers like AXA Health offer reduced rates at specific membership bands (e.g. 3+, 6+, 9+ employees).
Key factors that influence your costs include:
- The age profile of your workforce
- The level of cover chosen (e.g., outpatient benefits)
- Your chosen excess amounts
- The past claims history of the group (if switching providers)
Leading UK Business Health Insurers
As independent advisers, we compare every major UK insurer to find the right fit for your business. Below are the minimum employees required for Business & SME schemes.
AXA Health
Competitive group rates with comprehensive mental health support
Vitality
Rewards-based programme that incentivises healthier lifestyles
Aviva
Flexible schemes with strong digital GP and wellbeing services
WPA
Not-for-profit insurer reinvesting in member benefits
How Business Health Insurance is Underwritten
When setting up a new business health insurance scheme, how your employees' medical histories are assessed depends on the size of the group, whether they are already insured, and your preference. Below are the main underwriting methods available.
Moratorium Underwriting
- Quick SetupNo medical reports or GP involvement needed. Cover is arranged quickly and simply.
- Minimal QuestionsEmployees answer a few basic lifestyle and eligibility questions.
- Assessed at Claim StageWhen a claim is made, the insurer reviews medical records to check whether the condition existed before the policy began. Pre-existing conditions are typically excluded for the first two years.
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)
- Detailed Health QuestionnaireEach employee provides their full medical history at application, including conditions, medications, operations and investigations.
- Exclusions Confirmed UpfrontThe insurer confirms in writing exactly what is and is not covered before the policy starts. No surprises later.
- Greater Certainty When ClaimingBecause everything is agreed at the outset, claims are processed faster with no unexpected exclusions based on past health.
Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME)
- For Existing GroupsAvailable when transferring from one insurer to another, CPME carries across any personal exclusions from the previous policy.
- Seamless TransitionEmployees retain any conditions that were previously covered and any existing exclusions remain. No need to re-underwrite from scratch.
- Protects Established CoverEnsures that employees who already have cover do not lose benefits simply because the employer switches provider.
Continued Moratorium Underwriting (CMORI)
- Preserves Time ServedWhen switching provider, CMORI carries across the time your employees have already served under a moratorium policy, so they don't have to start the qualifying period again from scratch.
- Seamless Provider SwitchEmployees transferring from a moratorium-based policy retain their progress. Conditions that have already cleared the moratorium period remain covered with the new insurer.
- Protects Your EmployeesWithout CMORI, moving to a new insurer on moratorium terms would reset the clock on pre-existing condition exclusions. CMORI ensures continuity and avoids unnecessary gaps in cover.
Medical History Disregarded (MHD)
- No Individual AssessmentThe insurer does not evaluate any employee's personal medical history. Everyone is covered from day one.
- Pre-Existing Conditions CoveredEmployees with existing health conditions receive full cover immediately, making this the most inclusive underwriting method.
- AvailabilityMHD thresholds vary by insurer, typically requiring between 15 and 25 employees. Our specialists will advise whether your business qualifies.
- High-Risk Filters ApplyMHD does not mean all conditions are automatically covered without question. Ongoing conditions and serious illnesses such as heart conditions and cancer typically need to be referred to the insurer and are subject to high-risk filters. MHD removes individual medical underwriting, but insurers still apply certain safeguards.
Who Benefits from Business Health Insurance?
SMEs & Growing Businesses
Group health insurance schemes designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Competitive rates from just 2 employees.
Company Directors
Tax-efficient private healthcare for directors and business owners. Protect your health and your business continuity.
Contractors & Self-Employed
Flexible health cover tailored to self-employed professionals and contractors. Minimise downtime and protect your income.
Large Corporates
Enterprise-level health insurance programmes with dedicated account management and flexible benefit structures.
Why Choose Elective Health?
We understand that every business is unique. We take the time to understand your workforce, your budget, and your goals before recommending the right health insurance solution.
- Whole-of-market comparison across every major UK insurer
- Specialist expertise in business, director and contractor cover
- Free advice. No cost, no obligation
- Ongoing support through renewals and scheme changes
- Deal directly with Kingsley and Louis. No call centres
- 5.0 stars on Google from 42 independent reviews
What Our Clients Say
Don't just take our word for it. Here's what our clients have to say about their experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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