Introducing Members First, helping your corporate clients get the most out of Bupa

Everyone deserves fast, simple mental health support when they need it.

That’s why we’re introducing Members First – helping customers get fast access to expert care from Bupa, without worrying about additional costs or using up their benefit allowances.

From 1 September 2026, Members First for mental health talking therapies will be available as an optional benefit with all new and renewing Corporate PMI and Trust policies.

Please note that clients must have mental health cover to be able to opt into Members First.

What is Members First?

Members First is designed to make it easier for Bupa customers to access treatment when they need it – helping your corporate clients reduce absence and control claim costs.

When they’re referred for mental health talking therapies – including counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychology and psychotherapy – and they choose a Bupa service, we’ll remove any extra costs.

They’ll be able to have their appointments over the phone or video with our Talking Therapies team, or in person at a Mindplace – one of our new centres for mental health.

But most importantly, your clients and their people won't need to pay an excess or co-payment to use this service, and the cost won't be taken from their outpatient benefit allowance.

All they’ll need is a referral from a GP. This could be from their existing practice or through a Blua digital appointment in the My Bupa app.

They can still choose to be treated by other therapists in our network. If they do, any excesses and outpatient allowances will apply as normal.

This is just the beginning. Mental health is the first area of focus for Members First, designed to support early diagnosis and treatment. We’ll be introducing additional treatment pathways as part of our ConnectedCare strategy.

Why this matters

We know from customer feedback that financial impacts such as excesses can result in some of them delaying or avoiding treatment for mental health.

Members First helps customers get the care they need without worrying about additional costs.

This could also help remove more expensive, complex mental health claims where a condition has been left untreated in its early stages. And for your corporate clients, it could mean controlling costs and reducing absence.

Only from Bupa

We own and operate hospitals, health centres, specialist Mindplace mental health centres – as well as My Bupa, our digital health app.

This means we can offer joined-up care pathways, ensuring your clients receive consistent support, whether the appointment is in person, over the phone, or via video.

What's next?

Please keep an eye out for further communications about Members First to support your client conversations.