Yes. Self-employed people can take out private medical insurance in the same way as other individuals. The available cover, price and underwriting terms will depend on the insurer, your age, location, medical history and the benefits you choose.
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What should self-employed people look for in private health insurance?
Private medical insurance can be useful for self-employed people who want more control over access to eligible consultations, diagnostics and treatment. If your business depends heavily on you being able to work, delays in diagnosis or treatment can have a practical financial impact as well as a health impact.
The important question is not simply whether private health insurance is available, but which benefits are most valuable for your circumstances. Outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests, hospital access, cancer cover, therapies and excess levels can all vary significantly between policies.
Cost also matters because the premium becomes another regular business or household expense. A cheaper policy may reduce monthly outgoings, but it may also restrict hospital choice, outpatient benefits or other features. The aim is to understand the trade-offs clearly before choosing cover.
Access can matter to your businessIf you rely on your own ability to work, quicker access to eligible diagnosis and treatment may reduce disruption to your business.
Compare benefits, not just priceOutpatient limits, hospital lists, scans, specialist consultations, cancer cover, therapies and excesses can differ significantly between policies.
Budget for the long termThe policy only remains useful if the premium is sustainable, so consider both the initial cost and how premiums may change over time.
If you depend on your own ability to work, delays in accessing eligible consultations, tests or treatment can affect your business as well as your health. PMI may provide another route to eligible private care, depending on the policy terms.
No. Private medical insurance and income protection serve different purposes. PMI is designed to help fund eligible private medical care, while income protection is designed to provide an income if you are unable to work because of illness or injury, subject to its own terms.
Useful comparison points include outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests, scans, hospital access, cancer cover, therapies, excess levels, treatment limits, underwriting and the insurer’s rules around pre-existing conditions.
Many policies allow you to choose a higher excess in exchange for a lower premium. This can reduce the monthly cost, but it means you will pay more towards eligible treatment when you make a claim.
Private medical insurance is generally intended for new medical conditions rather than conditions that existed before the policy started. The exact position depends on the underwriting method and the insurer’s terms.
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