TL;DR
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr brings you an expert comparison of private medical insurance options in the UK. Choosing the right health cover for your business is a major decision, and in 2026, two giants stand out: AXA Health and Aviva. WeCovr compares the top two contenders for SME and corporate health cover this year Navigating the world of business private medical insurance (PMI) can feel complex.
Key takeaways
- NHS Waiting Lists: As of late 2025, the NHS waiting list in England continues to hover around a staggering 7.5 million cases. For many, this translates into months, or even years, of waiting for routine procedures, causing prolonged pain, anxiety, and time off work.
- Workplace Absence: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that an estimated 185.6 million working days were lost because of sickness or injury in 2022, the highest level since 2008. The average worker took 5.7 days off sick.
- Mental Health Impact: The Centre for Mental Health estimates that mental ill-health costs UK employers up to £56 billion a year through a combination of absenteeism, presenteeism (working while unwell), and staff turnover.
- An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery (e.g., joint replacement, cataract surgery, hernia repair).
- A chronic condition is a disease, illness, or injury that has one or more of the following characteristics: it needs ongoing or long-term monitoring, has no known cure, or is likely to recur (e.g., diabetes, asthma, hypertension).
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, WeCovr brings you an expert comparison of private medical insurance options in the UK. Choosing the right health cover for your business is a major decision, and in 2026, two giants stand out: AXA Health and Aviva.
WeCovr compares the top two contenders for SME and corporate health cover this year
Navigating the world of business private medical insurance (PMI) can feel complex. You want to offer your team a valuable benefit that genuinely supports their health, but you also need it to be cost-effective and easy to manage. Two names consistently dominate the market: AXA Health and Aviva. Both are titans of the UK insurance industry, offering comprehensive and highly-regarded plans for businesses of all sizes.
But which one is truly the best fit for your organisation in 2026?
This in-depth guide breaks down everything you need to know. We’ll compare their core cover, optional extras, digital health services, and overall value proposition to help you make an informed decision for your employees and your bottom line.
Why Business Health Insurance is a Must-Have in 2026
In today's competitive landscape, offering a robust benefits package is no longer a "nice-to-have"—it's a strategic necessity. A quality health insurance plan is one of the most sought-after perks, directly impacting your ability to attract, retain, and support your most valuable asset: your people.
The backdrop to this is the ongoing pressure on the NHS. While it remains a national treasure, extended waiting times for diagnostics and treatment are a growing concern for both employees and employers.
Key Statistics for UK Businesses:
- NHS Waiting Lists: As of late 2025, the NHS waiting list in England continues to hover around a staggering 7.5 million cases. For many, this translates into months, or even years, of waiting for routine procedures, causing prolonged pain, anxiety, and time off work.
- Workplace Absence: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that an estimated 185.6 million working days were lost because of sickness or injury in 2022, the highest level since 2008. The average worker took 5.7 days off sick.
- Mental Health Impact: The Centre for Mental Health estimates that mental ill-health costs UK employers up to £56 billion a year through a combination of absenteeism, presenteeism (working while unwell), and staff turnover.
A business PMI policy directly addresses these challenges by providing your team with fast access to private diagnosis and treatment, helping them get back on their feet and back to their best, sooner.
| Benefit for the Employer | Benefit for the Employee |
|---|---|
| Attract & Retain Top Talent | Peace of Mind |
| Reduce Sickness Absenteeism | Faster Access to Treatment |
| Boost Productivity & Morale | Choice of Specialist & Hospital |
| Demonstrates a Caring Culture | Access to Digital GP & Wellness Tools |
| Duty of Care Fulfilled | Support for Mental Health |
The Golden Rule of PMI: Understanding What's Covered
Before we dive into the comparison, it's vital to understand the fundamental principle of private medical insurance in the UK.
PMI is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after you take out your policy.
- An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery (e.g., joint replacement, cataract surgery, hernia repair).
- A chronic condition is a disease, illness, or injury that has one or more of the following characteristics: it needs ongoing or long-term monitoring, has no known cure, or is likely to recur (e.g., diabetes, asthma, hypertension).
- Pre-existing conditions are any illnesses or injuries you had before your policy's start date.
Standard UK private medical insurance does not cover chronic or pre-existing conditions. However, for larger corporate schemes, an underwriting option called 'Medical History Disregarded' may allow for the inclusion of pre-existing conditions. We'll explore this later.
Introducing the Contenders: AXA Health and Aviva
Both AXA Health and Aviva are A-list players with decades of experience and millions of customers. They offer trusted, high-quality products, but their approach and focus differ in subtle but important ways.
A Snapshot of AXA Health
Part of the global AXA Group, AXA Health has a strong heritage in the UK, formerly known as AXA PPP healthcare. They are widely recognised for their focus on proactive and preventative health, positioning themselves not just as an insurer, but as a long-term health partner for businesses.
Key Strengths:
- Focus on Preventative Health: Strong emphasis on wellness programmes and tools to keep employees healthy.
- Comprehensive Mental Health Support: A market-leading approach to mental health, from initial support to in-depth psychiatric care.
- Globally Recognised Brand: A powerful and trusted name that resonates with employees.
- Advanced Cancer Care: Comprehensive cancer pathways and support as standard.
Their flagship business product is Business Health Select.
A Snapshot of Aviva
Aviva is one of the UK's largest and most established insurance providers, with a history stretching back over 300 years. In the health insurance space, they are known for their customer-centric approach, powerful digital tools, and a clear, flexible product structure that is easy for businesses to understand and tailor.
Key Strengths:
- Strong Digital Offering: The Aviva DigiCare+ Workplace app provides a wealth of services at employees' fingertips.
- Flexible Hospital Networks: Their 'Expert Select' hospital option offers a cost-effective way to access a curated list of high-quality facilities.
- Highly Rated Claims Process: Consistently praised for a straightforward and efficient claims experience.
- 'BacktoBetter' Musculoskeletal Pathway: An innovative, integrated approach to managing muscle, bone, and joint problems.
Their flagship business product is Healthier Solutions.
Head-to-Head: Core Cover Compared
Every business health insurance policy is built on a foundation of 'core cover'. This is the essential protection that covers the most significant medical costs: treatment while admitted to a hospital. Here's how AXA Health and Aviva stack up.
| Feature | AXA Health (Business Health Select) | Aviva (Healthier Solutions) | WeCovr's Expert Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-patient & Day-patient Treatment | Covered in full (specialist and hospital fees). | Covered in full (specialist and hospital fees). | This is the absolute cornerstone of any policy. Both providers offer excellent, comprehensive cover here. |
| Cancer Cover | Comprehensive Cancer Cover as standard. Includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and extensive support services. No financial or time limits as long as the treatment is with a recognised specialist. | Extensive Cancer Cover as standard. Includes diagnostics, surgery, treatments, and palliative care. Also covers monitoring and check-ups for up to 5 years post-treatment. | Both offers are exceptional and a huge source of reassurance. AXA's "no limits" promise is powerful, while Aviva's specific inclusion of post-treatment monitoring is a great feature. |
| Digital GP Service | Doctor at Hand. Unlimited 24/7 access to a virtual GP provided by Doctor Care Anywhere. | Aviva DigiGP. Included with DigiCare+. 24/7 access to a GP by phone or video. Includes prescription service. | A non-negotiable benefit in 2026. Both services are excellent and dramatically reduce the time needed to get an initial medical opinion. |
| Mental Health Support (Core) | Proactive Health Gateway. Access to telephone counselling for work or personal issues. | Mental Health Support. Included with DigiCare+. Access to counselling and mental health consultations. | This initial support is crucial for early intervention. Both providers offer a solid baseline, but their full mental health options are where they truly differ. |
| Hospital Network | Directory of Hospitals. A comprehensive list of private hospitals and clinics across the UK. | Hospital Options. A choice of lists, including the cost-effective 'Expert Select' network. | Both have extensive networks. Aviva's tiered approach with 'Expert Select' can be a great way for SMEs to manage costs without sacrificing quality. |
Winner on Core Cover: It's a dead heat. Both AXA Health and Aviva provide rock-solid core protection that covers the big-ticket items like surgery and cancer care exceptionally well. The choice here often comes down to the finer details and the optional extras that matter most to your team.
Customising Your Plan: A Look at the Optional Extras
This is where you can truly tailor a policy to the specific needs and budget of your business. The main options revolve around outpatient care, mental health, and therapies.
Outpatient Cover
Outpatient treatment is any consultation, test, or procedure where you are not formally admitted to a hospital bed. This is one of the most frequently used parts of a PMI policy.
- AXA Health: Offers a range of outpatient limits, from a basic £500 or £1,000 to a fully comprehensive option. They often include a set number of specialist consultations that don't count towards your main outpatient limit, which is a nice perk.
- Aviva (illustrative): Provides similar financial limits (£500, £1,000, £1,500, or unlimited). Their structure is very clear, making it easy to see how different levels of cover affect the premium.
Mental Health Cover
This is arguably one of the most important optional extras in the modern workplace.
- AXA Health: This is where AXA truly shines. Their optional Mind Health upgrade is one of the most comprehensive in the market. It goes beyond traditional cover for acute psychiatric conditions and offers support for a wider range of mental health challenges, with a strong focus on early, accessible help. It removes many of the typical limits on psychiatric treatment.
- Aviva: Aviva's enhanced Mental Health Pathway is also very strong. It provides cover for in-patient, day-patient, and outpatient psychiatric treatment, including therapy sessions. While excellent, it is generally seen as slightly more traditional in its approach compared to AXA's all-encompassing 'Mind Health' philosophy.
Therapies Cover
This add-on covers treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic sessions. It's invaluable for tackling the musculoskeletal issues that are a leading cause of sickness absence.
- AXA Health: The Therapies Option provides access to a wide network of practitioners. They also have a 'Working Body' service, which gives employees direct access to phone-based physiotherapy assessment and advice without needing a GP referral first, speeding up recovery.
- Aviva: Aviva's 'BacktoBetter' pathway is an industry-leading innovation. For muscle, bone, or joint pain, employees can access a clinical case manager directly. They triage the issue and guide the employee to the most appropriate care, whether it's self-help, physiotherapy, or a specialist consultation. This integrated approach is highly efficient and effective.
Dental and Optical Cover
This is a popular add-on that functions more like a cashback plan for routine check-ups, treatments, and eyewear.
- Both AXA Health and Aviva offer straightforward dental and optical cashback plans as an optional extra. They allow employees to claim back a percentage of their costs for things like fillings, eye tests, and new glasses, up to an annual limit.
| Optional Extra | AXA Health | Aviva | WeCovr's Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Cover | Flexible limits with some un-limited consultations. | Clear, tiered financial limits. | If you anticipate high usage, AXA's structure can be beneficial. For cost certainty, Aviva's is simpler. |
| Mental Health | Market-leading, proactive 'Mind Health' option. | Strong, comprehensive 'Mental Health Pathway'. | Choose AXA if mental wellbeing is your absolute top priority and you favour a preventative approach. |
| Therapies | 'Working Body' for fast physio access. | Innovative 'BacktoBetter' integrated pathway. | Choose Aviva if you want the most streamlined and clinically-led process for musculoskeletal issues. |
| Dental & Optical | Good cashback plan. | Good cashback plan. | Both are very similar. A great value-add to make the plan feel more tangible for employees. |
The Digital Health & Wellness Revolution
Beyond traditional insurance, both providers have invested heavily in digital tools to support everyday health and wellbeing.
AXA Health's Ecosystem
- Doctor at Hand: The cornerstone 24/7 digital GP service.
- Health Gateway: A portal offering health information, risk assessments, and access to support services.
- Mind Health Support: A dedicated phone line and resources for employees struggling with their mental health, accessible even without the full mental health option.
- My Active Plus (for larger corporates): A platform to encourage physical activity through challenges and rewards.
Aviva's Digital Powerhouse
- Aviva DigiCare+ Workplace: This is a fantastic, comprehensive app that bundles a huge amount of value. It includes:
- Aviva DigiGP: 24/7 digital GP.
- Mental Health Support: Access to consultations and therapy.
- Nutrition Support: Consultations with a nutritionist.
- Annual Health Check: A yearly check-up via a home-testing kit.
- Second Medical Opinion: Access to a global expert for a second opinion on a diagnosis.
- The sheer breadth of services included as standard within the DigiCare+ app is a major selling point for Aviva.
The WeCovr Added Advantage
When you arrange your business health insurance through an expert broker like WeCovr, we add even more value. All our health and life insurance clients receive complimentary access to CalorieHero, our proprietary AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. This tool seamlessly complements the wellness offerings from either AXA or Aviva, giving your employees another powerful resource to manage their health proactively.
Furthermore, businesses that purchase PMI through us can benefit from exclusive discounts on other essential business insurance products, helping you protect your company from all angles.
Making Sense of Underwriting
The way an insurer assesses medical history is called 'underwriting'. For businesses, there are several options, and the size of your company is the biggest factor.
-
Moratorium (Mori) Underwriting: (Common for small SMEs) The insurer doesn't ask for medical history upfront. Instead, they apply a 'moratorium' period (usually 2 years). Any pre-existing conditions from the 5 years before the policy start date are excluded unless the employee goes 2 continuous years without any symptoms, treatment, or advice for that condition after joining. It's simple to set up but can lead to uncertainty at the point of claim.
-
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): (Common for small SMEs) Each employee completes a detailed health questionnaire. The insurer then lists specific conditions that will be permanently excluded from their cover. It's more admin upfront but provides complete clarity from day one.
-
Continued Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME): (For businesses switching providers) If your team is already covered by another insurer, a new provider like AXA or Aviva can take on the group using CPME. This means they will honour the original underwriting terms, and employees carry over any existing exclusions without any new ones being applied. It makes switching providers seamless.
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Medical History Disregarded (MHD): (The gold standard, typically for groups of 20+ employees) This is the most comprehensive option. The insurer agrees to disregard all pre-existing conditions and cover eligible acute conditions regardless of an employee's medical history. It's simple to administer and offers the most inclusive cover, making it highly attractive for larger businesses.
An experienced broker like WeCovr can advise on the best underwriting option for your specific group size and circumstances, ensuring a smooth process for both you and your employees.
WeCovr's Verdict: Which Provider is Best for Your Business in 2026?
After an exhaustive comparison, the truth is there is no single "best" provider. The ideal choice depends entirely on your company's priorities, culture, and budget.
Here is our expert summary to guide your decision:
You should choose AXA Health if...
- Proactive Mental Health is your #1 Priority: Their 'Mind Health' option and overall philosophy are second to none. If you want to build a culture that truly supports mental wellbeing from the ground up, AXA is the market leader.
- You Value a Health 'Partner': You're looking for more than just an insurance policy. AXA's focus on preventative care, health coaching, and wellness resources makes them feel like a genuine partner in your employees' long-term health.
- You Run a Larger Corporation: Their experience with large, complex corporate schemes is extensive, and their brand carries significant weight.
You should choose Aviva if...
- You Want Maximum Digital Value: The Aviva DigiCare+ Workplace app is an incredibly powerful tool, bundling a vast array of valuable services (like the annual health check and nutrition advice) as standard. It offers tangible, everyday value to every employee.
- Cost-Effectiveness is Key: Their flexible 'Expert Select' hospital list and clear, modular product design can make it easier to build a high-quality, budget-friendly plan, especially for SMEs.
- A Streamlined Claims Process Matters: Aviva consistently receives high praise for its efficient and user-friendly claims process, particularly the 'BacktoBetter' pathway for musculoskeletal problems.
Ultimately, the best way to find the perfect fit is to get a tailored comparison of quotes based on your unique business profile.
Does business health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
How much does business health insurance cost per employee in the UK?
Can we switch our company health insurance provider easily?
Ready to Find the Perfect Health Cover for Your Team?
Don't navigate the complexities of the private medical insurance market alone. The expert advisors at WeCovr are here to help. As an independent, FCA-authorised broker, we provide impartial advice and can compare policies from AXA Health, Aviva, and other leading UK providers to find the optimal solution for your business.
Our service is completely free, and we do all the hard work for you. Let us help you invest in your team's health and your company's future.
[Get Your Free, No-Obligation Business PMI Quote Today]
Sources
- NHS England: Waiting times and referral-to-treatment statistics.
- Office for National Statistics (ONS): Health, mortality, and workforce data.
- NICE: Clinical guidance and technology appraisals.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC): Provider quality and inspection reports.
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA): Public health surveillance reports.
- Association of British Insurers (ABI): Health and protection market publications.








