Key takeaways: How to choose the best health insurance when you're self-employed

When you're self-employed your health is an important aspect of your business. If you have to take time off work due to ill health, it can have a big impact on your finances. Business health insurance can help get you back to work quickly through prompt access to diagnosis and treatment. At AXA Health, our business health insurance gives you the flexibility to build a plan that works for you. By choosing the cover options that suit your needs and budget – and leaving out the ones that don't.

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How to choose the best health insurance when you're self-employed

Choosing the best health insurance when you're self-employed will depend on a number of different factors that are specific to you. These include the cover options that best fit your needs and that you value most, your budget and your previous medical history. Also consider the excess that you would like to pay towards any treatment that you receive that is covered by your plan.

What is underwriting and how does it affect my cover?

The underwriting you choose for your plan affects the cover you'll have for treatment of pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is usually defined as any disease, illness or injury that:

  • You have received medication, advice or treatment for in a defined period of time before the start of your cover, or
  • You have experienced symptoms of in a specified number of years before the start of your cover whether or not the condition was diagnosed.

There are three underwriting options available to self-employed individuals:

  1. Full medical underwriting
    With full medical underwriting, you declare your medical history when you join. Pre-existing conditions aren't usually covered. Any new conditions that develop after your plan starts are covered in line with your plan terms.
  2. Moratorium
    With moratorium underwriting, pre-existing conditions from the five years before you joined aren't covered initially. But cover could become available once you've been a member for two continuous years and have been completely trouble-free from that condition for 12 consecutive months since joining. Any new conditions that develop after your plan starts are covered in line with your plan terms.
  3. Continuing medical exclusions
    If you're switching from another provider, you can carry over the underwriting terms from your previous plan. Conditions that were covered before can continue to be covered, subject to your new plan terms.

The underwriting option you choose will affect the cost of your plan. The right option for you will depend on your own medical history and circumstances.

How can I keep the cost of my health insurance down?

There are several ways to manage the cost of your plan without compromising on the cover that matters most to you.

Pay annually
Save 5% by paying your subscription upfront each year rather than spreading the cost monthly.

Choose an excess
Agree to pay a set amount towards treatment costs each year and reduce your annual subscription. Excess option examples include £100, £250 or £500.

Choose Business Protect
A more budget-friendly plan with access to a smaller selection of hospitals and specialists, rather than our full hospital network.

Choose the Guided option
If you choose our Business Health plan, the Guided option can be included. This helps lower the cost because if you need to see a specialist, we'll source one for you from a smaller list. Any treatment with a specialist that we haven't sourced for you isn't covered.

Do I need a business bank account to take out business health insurance?

Yes. If you're taking out AXA Health business health insurance as a self-employed individual, you'll need a business bank account. 

What cover options can I choose from?

With AXA Health business health insurance, you can build a plan that works for you. We offer a range of cover options for you to choose from: 

Treatment
Cover for hospital procedures, operations and surgery. Plus, radiotherapy and chemotherapy for cancer when you include Comprehensive Cancer Cover.

Diagnostics Only
Fast access to a specialist on GP referral, so you can get a diagnosis without a long wait.

Outpatient
Ensures you're seen quickly by a specialist at a time and place that suits you.

Mental Health
Cover for mental health treatment.

Therapies
Cover for outpatient treatment by a physiotherapist, osteopath, acupuncturist or chiropractor.

Private GP
Access to a private GP in person, at a time that's convenient for you.

Dentist and Optician Cashback
Cashback towards dental fees, glasses, contact lenses and eye tests.

Extended Cover
More flexibility over where you're treated, plus cover for planned treatment abroad and management of specified chronic conditions. Available with our Business Health plan.

Health Assessment
Cashback towards a health assessment to help you make positive changes to your health and wellbeing.

Vaccinations
A contribution towards flu and travel vaccinations.

Travel
Cover for emergency medical treatment when you're overseas.

What's included as standard with AXA Health business health insurance?

Every AXA Health business health insurance plan includes these services as standard, regardless of the cover options you choose.

24/7 access to a private GP
Phone and video appointments with a GP or another registered clinical practitioner via AXA Doctor at Hand, powered by Doctor Care Anywhere. Subject to availability. 

Muscles, bones and joints support
No GP referral needed. Speak to an expert online or by phone about aches and pains. Available to members aged 18 and over.

Cancer and heart care
Telephone support from our experienced healthcare professionals through the uncertainty of a serious illness.

Health information phone line
24/7 health support from our team of nurses and counsellors. The 24/7 health support line cannot respond to emergencies. 

How quickly can I access support and treatment?

Fast access to support is one of the key benefits of business health insurance. With AXA Health, help is always close at hand.

Every plan includes access to our 24/7 online GP service. Book a phone or video appointment at any time of day or night — no waiting rooms and no time away from work. Appointments are subject to availability.

Our 24/7 health support line is also included as standard. Nurses and counsellors are available around the clock, with midwives and pharmacists available 8am–8pm Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm Saturday and 8am–12pm Sunday. The 24/7 health support line cannot respond to emergencies. If you require an urgent response or have a medical emergency please call 111 or 999, or attend A&E.

If you choose our Diagnostics Only option or an Outpatient option, you'll have quick access to a specialist when a GP refers you. Please remember though that depending on your underwriting and the time between taking out your plan and needing to claim, you may not have cover for treatment of pre-existing medical conditions.

Build a plan that's right for you

Find out more about our business health insurance, including what is and isn't covered, and get a quote

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