Small business health insurance
Get small business health cover for between 2 and 249 employees.
Your partner for business health and wellbeing
With us by your side, your people are covered from diagnosis to treatment. No gimmicks. Just cover you can rely on, chosen by over 39,000 companies. That’s better for business.
What is small business health insurance?
Health insurance for small business gives your team quick access to GPs and experts in mental health, cancer and more.
We offer four levels of business medical insurance for teams of less than 250 people. Giving you options to suit your needs and budget.
Compare four levels of small business health insurance
With any level of cover, we only cover the cost of treatment if it’s:
- at a hospital or clinic in your employees’ facility network
- with a Bupa-recognised consultant who is fee-assured. This means we have agreed to pay fees in full
|
What’s included? |
Select Custom
Our level 1 option
|
Select Key Our level 2 option |
Select Enhanced Our level 3 option |
Select Complete Our level 4 option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unlimited digital GP appointments
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fast-track help for mental health, cancer and muscle, bone and joint problems
|
|
|
|
|
|
Out-patient allowance
|
£500 a year |
£1000 a year |
£1500 a year |
Full cover |
|
Scans for diagnosis
|
|
|
|
|
|
Complementary medicine after treatment
|
Up to £250 |
Up to £250 |
Up to £1500 |
Full cover |
|
Hospital care
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hospital and clinic network
|
300+ facilities |
300+ facilities |
300+ facilities |
600+ facilities |
|
Mental health treatment
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancer cover
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private ambulances
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day and night nurse advice
|
|
|
|
|
|
NHS cash benefit
|
|
|
|
|
|
Family mental health advice
|
|
|
|
|
|
Menopause advice
|
|
|
|
|
|
What’s included? |
Select Custom
Our level 1 option
|
Select Key Our level 2 option |
Select Enhanced Our level 3 option |
Select Complete Our level 4 option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unlimited digital GP appointments
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fast-track help for mental health, cancer and muscle, bone and joint problems
|
|
|
|
|
|
Out-patient allowance
|
£500 a year |
£1000 a year |
£1500 a year |
Full cover |
|
Scans for diagnosis
|
|
|
|
|
|
Complementary medicine after treatment
|
Up to £250 |
Up to £250 |
Up to £1500 |
Full cover |
|
Hospital care
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hospital and clinic network
|
300+ facilities |
300+ facilities |
300+ facilities |
600+ facilities |
|
Mental health treatment
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancer cover
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private ambulances
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day and night nurse advice
|
|
|
|
|
|
NHS cash benefit
|
|
|
|
|
|
Family mental health advice
|
|
|
|
|
|
Menopause advice
|
|
|
|
|
Call us on 0345 266 8974^ to get a quote. Or get an online guide price for our Select health insurance – Key, Enhanced or Complete.
Get a guide price
What’s included with small business health insurance?
No matter what level of cover you choose for your people, you can expect these benefits as standard:
Unlimited digital GP appointments
Let’s cut the queues. With access to our digital GP service, your people can speak to a GP within 24 hours. Day or night. By video or phone.
Market-leading mental health cover
Whether it’s work-related stress or home pressures, we’re here. We cover more mental health conditions than any other provider.†† Plus, we’re the only ones who offer help for addictions.
Fast-track muscle, bone and joint help
Muscle, bone and joint problems are one of the biggest causes of sick leave. So your people can call us direct about them.
We’ll check the issue is covered and let them know if they can get treatment without a GP referral. We’ll explain next steps and could even refer them to a physio on the call.
Access to breakthrough cancer drugs
Our cancer cover can offer some cancer drugs and treatments before they’re available on the NHS. Helping your people get the medicines they need, faster. Any drugs or treatments will need to be evidence-based and covered by the policy.
Private treatment at hospitals and clinics
Time with consultants. Tests and scans for diagnosis, such as blood tests and X-rays. Day treatment, including physio. Overnight stays.
Each employee gets an allowance to spend on hospital and clinical care. That amount depends on what level insurance you choose.
Helplines for every hour of the day
Team members can speak to nurses 24/7. Or a menopause-trained nurse, always on hand to guide and advise. All year long.
Worried parents and carers can call our Family Mental HealthLine six days a week, 8am to 6pm.
Health and HR support for you
Navigate your employer responsibilities confidently with Growth+. You’ll get support from a dedicated Health and Wellbeing Consultant. Plus, access to handy HR health and wellbeing policy templates.
Digital journey for managing treatment
With Bupa Touch, employees can request treatment, find out what they are covered for and stay on top of claims. Less admin for you, empowerment for your people.
What’s not covered on any level of cover?
- Life events like pregnancy, menopause or ageing
- Allergies and food intolerances
- Conditions employees had before your business health insurance started
We also call these pre-existing conditions. Your employees’ policy usually won’t cover injuries or conditions they’ve had before their cover starts.
For example, if someone had a knee injury in March, and you took out health cover in June, the new policy wouldn’t cover this injury. They also couldn’t claim for any tests or treatment related to the knee injury. This is because their symptoms began before your people had cover. - Ongoing health issues with no known cure
We also call these chronic conditions. Diabetes and asthma are examples of ongoing health issues with no known cure. Your employee's policy usually won’t cover treatment related to ongoing or chronic issues.
There are some exceptions. Bupa may cover ongoing care for mental health or cancer. Even if there is no cure.
There are other exceptions to the rules that might apply to your business. So, if you have a question, it’s worth getting in touch.
How much does small business health insurance cost?
Example criteria
- Ages 21, 28, 46, 46 and 51
- Based in Shrewsbury
- Social care business
- £0 excess, per person per policy year
- Full medical underwriting – no pre-existing conditions
- Paid for monthly – you may be able to save 2.5% if you pay yearly
Example costs
Level 1 Custom - From £31.56 per month, per person or £1,893.36 per year for five people.
Level 2 Key - From £35.04 per month, per person or £2,102.52 per year for five people.
Level 3 Enhanced - From £39.86 per month, per person or £2,391.72 per year for five people.
Level 4 Complete - From £45.81 per month, per person or £2,748.72 per year for five people.
Example criteria
- Average age 37 years old
- Based in Exeter
- Software development business
- £100 excess, per person per policy year
- Full medical underwriting – no pre-existing conditions
- Paid for monthly – you may be able to save 2.5% if you pay yearly
Example costs
Level 1 Custom – From £27.65 per month, per person or £6,635.16 per year for 20 people.
Level 2 Key – From £30.72 per month, per person or £7,373.52 per year for 20 people.
Level 3 Enhanced – From £34.92 per month, per person or £8,381.76 per year for 20 people.
Level 4 Complete – From £38.34 per month, per person or £9,201.36 per year for 20 people.
Example criteria
- Average age 33.5 years old
- Based in London
- Data management business
- £0 excess, per person per policy year
- Full medical underwriting – no pre-existing conditions
- Paid for yearly - saving 2.5% in monthly surcharges
Example costs
Level 1 Custom – From £24.77 per month, per person or £36,971.27 per year for 115 people.
Level 2 Key – From £28.73 per month, per person or £39,647.77 per year for 115 people.
Level 3 Enhanced – From £32.70 per month, per person or £45,097.99 per year for 115 people.
Level 4 Complete – From £36.14 per month, per person or £49,886.12 per year for 115 people.
How can I change my small business health insurance cover or cost?
Employee-paid excess
Choose whether employees pay nothing or an excess of £100, £150, £200 or £500 per policy year to help bring your business’ cost down.
Out-patient allowance
This is how much can be spent on eligible hospital and clinical appointments. Our levels of cover come with a £500, £1,000 or £1,500 allowance, or no limit.
Pre-existing conditions
If you have over 15 people, you can choose to cover conditions they had before your policy starts. Just choose medical history disregarded underwriting.
Level of facility access
Give your employees a choice of 300 or 600+ hospitals and clinics whenever they need treatment.
Partner or family cover
If you’d like to offer cover for your employees’ partners or children, you can do this for an additional cost per person.
Payment method
Choose monthly, quarterly, bi-annually or yearly. If you’re incorporated, there could be a surcharge of up to 2.5% unless you pay yearly.
How can I get a health insurance quote for my business?
Fill in your details for a guide price
We’ll show you guide prices for Key, Enhanced and Complete – that’s levels 2 to 4 – so you can compare cover and cost.
Get an online guide price
Call us for a more accurate quote
We calculate your price based on lots of factors. Talk to us about options and we can provide tailored quotes for all cover levels.
0345 266 8974^
Seamless access to care for your people
We’re the only insurer with our own hospital and national network of health centres. Plus, the most connections to independent healthcare providers.
Smoother processes. Better health outcomes. We call this ConnectedCare.
Simpler route to treatment
With our own digital GP app, network of specialists and health centres, we can refer with ease, saving your people time.
Bigger choice of specialists
Our large network of Bupa and independent specialists gives your people more options close to home.
More efficient care and recovery
With the option of our own specialists and facilities, we can get your people to the right treatment option sooner.
Important documents
Read through our policy documents for a full understanding of how our small business health insurance works.
Looking for more business health benefits?
Dental insurance
Check-ups. Cleans. X-rays. Fillings.
Help employees protect their oral health without struggling to see a dentist.
Health assessments
Health tests. Time with experts.
Let our experts help employees reduce potential future heath risks.
Employee assistance programmes
Counselling around the clock.
Because a listening ear and some practical advice can improve wellbeing.
^Lines are open 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
††As of September 2023, this comparison to other products in the market is based on Bupa’s and Defaqto’s interpretation of the differences between Bupa’s SME Select health insurance and other health insurance products offering mental health cover. The comparison excludes any special offers or promotions which may temporarily alter the cover offered. Cover comparison information is for personal use and guidance only and does not constitute any contractual representation, warranty or obligation by either Bupa or Defaqto about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability of the comparison. Neither party accepts any liability for errors, omissions, direct or consequential loss in relation to this comparison.
See PDF How we compare: Small business (PDF 0.2MB)
See PDF How we compare: Corporate business (PDF 0.1MB)
Bupa Blua Health is provided by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, registered in England and Wales with number 3829851. Digital GP services are powered by eMed Healthcare UK Limited, registered in England and Wales with number 15086104, Registered Office: 184-192 Drummond Street, London, England, NW1 3HP
Bupa health insurance and dental insurance are provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ.
Bupa Anytime HealthLine, Menopause HealthLine, Family Mental HealthLine, Bupa health assessments and EAP programmes are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Bupa Anytime HealthLine, Menopause HealthLine and Family Mental HealthLine are provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ
Bupa health assessments and EAP programmes are provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales No.631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ.
