Self-employed health insurance
When things are going well, being self-employed is great. But when sickness strikes it can feel as though no one’s got your back. There’s probably no one who can do your job for you, so not only are you suffering, you also face a potential loss in earnings.
With self-employed health insurance, you’ll have someone on your side helping you get diagnosed and treated quickly, so you can get back to running your business.
Back to health and back to work with health insurance for the self-employed
When you're self-employed, our business health insurance means you won’t have to worry about delays and long waiting lists in order to access diagnosis and treatment. If you need a specialist, we can source an appointment at a time that suits you. If you need treatment, you'll receive this in a private hospital or the private wing of an NHS hospital. Cover is subject to the cover options chosen.
Flexible health insurance for the self-employed
Because everyone is different, our health insurance for the self-employed is really flexible. You can build cover that’s right for you and your business, and there are also lots of ways you can manage your costs – so it might be cheaper than you think.
Build a plan that works for you
With our health insurance for the self-employed, you can choose from the following cover options:
If you are buying cover for 1-2 people only, you will need to include either the Treatment option or the Diagnostics Only option in your plan.
- Treatment option: Cover for hospital procedures and operations, including surgery, plus radiotherapy and chemotherapy for cancer when you include Comprehensive Cancer Cover
- Diagnostics Only option: This option helps you or one of your employees find out what's wrong, quickly, if you need to be referred
- Dentist and Optician Cashback option: Look after your teeth and eyesight with cashback towards dentists’ fees, glasses, contact lenses and eye tests
- Therapies option: Cover for referred outpatient treatments by an osteopath, physiotherapist, acupuncturist, or chiropractor
- Outpatient option: Helps get you seen quickly with a GP referral by a specialist at a time and place suitable for you
- Mental Health option: Look after more than just your physical health with cover for mental health treatment
- Private GP: This option makes it easy for you to see a private GP in person, promptly, at a time that’s convenient
- Extended Cover: Provides even greater flexibility over where you’re treated. Plus, extra cover for planned, pre-approved treatment abroad and cover for the routine management of some specified chronic conditions
- Travel: Whether travelling for business or pleasure, our travel option covers emergency medical treatment. You will also have access to other travel-related benefits
- Employee Assistance Programme: This option gives you a professionally trained expert to talk to during difficult times such as divorce or money problems
- Health Assessments: Health assessments can provide guidance so you can make small changes to improve your health and wellbeing
- Vaccinations: Look after your health with a contribution towards annual flu and travel vaccinations
What are the benefits of self-employed health insurance?
When you're self-employed or freelance, taking time off work due to ill health can have a big impact on your business. There's often no one who can pick up your work while you're off, which can result in lost contracts and financial implications.
Get back to work quickly
Health insurance helps you to get back to work quickly through prompt access to treatment. This means that you can get seen and start receiving treatment quickly, helping to minimise the amount of time that you need to spend away from work.
Access to support, day and night
You'll also have access to health information and support via our health information phone line, meaning you can get reassurance and don't have to spend more time worrying than you have to.
Private health facilities and treatment
If you have the Treatment option and need a hospital stay, you'll be treated in a private hospital or the private wing of an NHS hospital.
Can I get a business health insurance plan if I'm self-employed?
Yes, if you have a business bank account then you can get business health insurance with us at AXA Health.
How much does health insurance cost when you're self employed?
The cost of health insurance when you're self-employed varies depending on a number of different factors, including the cover options you choose, your age and the underwriting option that you choose. We've included some example plans below to give you an idea of how much self-employed health insurance could cost.
Example prices based on one person (aged 35), living in Guildford, with a £100 excess and two year moratorium on pre-existing conditions. Costs are representative as of April 2025, and prices will vary depending on location, cover options and age. If you are buying cover for 1-2 people only, you will need to include the Diagnostics Only option or the Treatment option on your plan.
Example plan 1
Diagnostics Only + Therapies + EAP Essentials = £21.49 per month
Example plan 2
Standard Outpatient + Treatment (excluding cancer treatment) + Therapies + EAP Essentials = £71.11 per month
Example plan 3
Full Outpatient + Treatment (excluding cancer treatment) + Mental Health + Extended Cover = £115.29 per month
What is and isn't covered on health insurance for the self-employed?
Business health insurance is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after your policy has started. What is covered on your health insurance will depend on the cover options you choose. Find out more about our cover options.
As with most private healthcare plans, there are some general exclusions and limitations. Some of the most significant things that your plan won't cover include:
- Routine pregnancy and childbirth
- Out-patient drugs and dressings
- Treatment of ongoing, recurrent and long-term conditions (chronic conditions)
- Cosmetic treatment
- Treatment needed as a result of training for or taking part in any sport for which you are paid, receive a grant or sponsorship (not counting travel costs) or are competing for prize money
- Treatment of medical conditions you had, or had symptoms of, before you joined. Depending on the underwriting option you choose
- Fees if you choose to use a hospital that is not in our Directory of Hospitals
This information is just a summary of some of the cover we offer and the key exclusions. For more information about our cover, any cover limitations and what we don't cover please see our product brochure
What's the difference between income protection and health insurance for the self-employed?
Income protection supports you financially if you're unable to work due to injury or illness. It pays you a regular income if you can't work because of sickness or diasbility and continues until you return to work or you retire.
Health insurance covers the cost of private medical treatment for new acute conditions that arise after your policy has started. It can help you get back to work quickly through prompt access to diagnosis and treatment (depending on the cover options you choose).
Why choose AXA Health for your business health insurance?
Regardless of the cover options that you choose, you'll have access to the following included as standard:
24/7 online GP service
Access to video or phone appointments with a GP or Advanced Clinical Practitioner where your employees will have plenty of time to talk through their health concerns. Powered by Doctor Care Anywhere. Appointments are subject to availability. Advanced Clinical Practitioner are available 8am – 10pm
Heart and cancer support
Our experienced health professionals are available at the end of the phone day or night. Speak to our specialist cancer and heart nurses 9am-5pm Monday – Friday. Outside these hours our experienced nurses and counsellors provide round the clock support by phone.
Health information and support
We’ll give your employees access to our 24/7 health support line. It comes as standard, no matter what cover options you choose, so your team can get information and support whether it's day or night.
Specialist appointment booking service
Your employees can see the right person quickly. The sooner they see a consultant, the sooner they can get a diagnosis and treatment, and the sooner they can start getting better. You'll need to include either an Outpatient option or our Diagnostics Only option with your business healthcare plan for the consultation to be covered.
Access to gym discounts
Access to special member offers such as discounts on gym memberships. Terms apply. (Subject to change. Offer is not part of the insured plan).
Small business guide to health insurance
If you've considered investing in healthcare cover, it's likely that you have questions around how it works. You'll want to make sure that you're getting the cover that will best suit your needs and your budget, so you can ensure that your healthcare cover is the best fit for you and your business.
That's why we've created our small business guide to health insurance.
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Defaqto 5 star rated
Our Business Health plan has been rated 5 stars by independent financial information business, Defaqto. The Defaqto 5 Star Rating is based on an assessment of the overall product including all options. If some of the options are not selected, this will affect the product's Star Rating.
*Phone lines are open 8:30am-5:30pm Monday to Friday. We may record and/or monitor calls for quality assurance, training and as a record of our conversation.