PMI for Freelancers UK
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 800,000 policies, WeCovr specialises in finding affordable private medical insurance for the UK's growing freelance workforce. This guide explains how you can secure fast, high-quality healthcare without the corporate price tag, protecting both your health and your business.
How self-employed workers can get affordable PMI
For the UK's 4.3 million self-employed professionals, time is money. An unexpected illness or injury doesn't just mean a health scare—it means project delays, lost income, and client uncertainty. While the NHS provides incredible care, record waiting lists can mean months away from work. This is where private medical insurance (PMI) becomes a freelancer's most valuable asset.
But isn't it expensive? Not necessarily. Getting affordable PMI as a freelancer is entirely possible with the right approach. It’s about tailoring a policy to your specific needs and budget, cutting out the features you don’t need, and keeping the protection you do.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding what's covered to actionable strategies for lowering your monthly premiums.
Why Should Freelancers and the Self-Employed Consider PMI?
When you work for yourself, you are the business. Unlike an employee who gets sick pay and has colleagues to cover their workload, a freelancer's income stops the moment they are unable to work.
The Key Risks for Freelancers:
- Extended NHS Waiting Times: The primary driver for PMI is bypassing NHS queues. According to the latest NHS England data, the referral-to-treatment waiting list stands at over 7.5 million. Hundreds of thousands of these patients wait more than a year for treatment. For a freelancer, a year-long wait for a hip replacement or hernia surgery isn't just an inconvenience; it can be a business-ending event.
- Loss of Income: Every day spent waiting for a diagnosis or treatment is a day you can't earn. PMI provides prompt access to specialists, scans, and surgery, getting you back on your feet and back to your clients faster.
- Control and Choice: PMI gives you control over your healthcare. You can often choose the specialist who treats you, the hospital you are treated in, and schedule appointments at times that minimise disruption to your work. This flexibility is invaluable when you're juggling multiple projects.
- Access to Advanced Treatments: Some policies provide access to drugs or treatments that may not be available on the NHS due to funding decisions.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing you have a plan in place to deal with health issues removes a significant source of stress. This mental clarity allows you to focus on what you do best: running your business.
A Real-World Example: Sarah, the Freelance Graphic Designer
Sarah, a 35-year-old graphic designer, started experiencing severe wrist pain. Her GP suspected carpal tunnel syndrome, a common issue for desk workers. The NHS referral to a specialist had a 4-month waiting list, followed by a potential 9-month wait for surgery.
For Sarah, this was a catastrophe. She couldn't use her mouse or drawing tablet for more than an hour without pain. Her freelance business ground to a halt.
Fortunately, Sarah had taken out a PMI policy. She used her policy's digital GP service the same day, got a referral, and saw a specialist consultant the following week. An MRI was done two days later, confirming the diagnosis. Surgery was scheduled and completed within a month. After a short recovery, she was back to work. Her PMI policy cost her around £45 per month, a fraction of the income she would have lost during a year-long NHS wait.
What PMI Covers (and Crucially, What It Doesn't)
Understanding the scope of private medical insurance is the most important step. Misunderstanding what's covered can lead to disappointment later.
PMI is designed for acute conditions that begin after you take out the policy.
- An acute condition is a disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery. Examples include joint replacements, cataract surgery, hernia repairs, and treatment for many types of cancer.
The Golden Rule: No Cover for Pre-existing or Chronic Conditions
Standard private medical insurance in the UK does not cover conditions you had before your policy started. This is known as a pre-existing condition.
It also does not cover the routine management of chronic conditions.
- A chronic condition is an illness that cannot be cured but can be managed with ongoing treatment and monitoring. Examples include diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and Crohn's disease.
| Covered by PMI (Acute) | Not Covered by PMI (Chronic/Pre-existing) |
|---|---|
| Hip replacement surgery | Routine management of Type 2 diabetes |
| Cataract removal | Inhalers and check-ups for asthma |
| Hernia repair | A knee injury you had five years ago |
| Cancer treatment (chemo, radio, surgery) | High blood pressure medication and monitoring |
| Gallbladder removal | Management of eczema or psoriasis |
| Specialist consultations for a new symptom | Any condition you received advice or treatment for before your policy began |
While PMI won't cover the day-to-day management of a chronic condition like diabetes, it would typically cover an unrelated acute condition that arises. For example, if you have diabetes and later need a hip replacement, your PMI would cover the hip surgery.
7 Proven Ways for Freelancers to Get Affordable PMI
Here is your checklist for reducing the cost of private health cover without sacrificing essential protection. An expert PMI broker, like WeCovr, can help you navigate these options to build the perfect-value policy.
1. Increase Your Policy Excess
An excess is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim. It’s a one-off payment, usually paid once per policy year, regardless of how many claims you make.
- How it works: If you have an excess of £250 and your treatment costs £5,000, you pay the first £250, and the insurer pays the remaining £4,750.
- The Impact: The higher your excess, the lower your monthly premium. Insurers offer a range of excess options, typically from £0 to £1,000. Choosing a £500 excess instead of a £100 excess can reduce your premium by 20-30%.
Freelancer Tip: Think of the excess as a calculated risk. Choose an amount you could comfortably afford to pay without notice. A £250 or £500 excess is often the sweet spot for significant premium savings.
2. Choose a Guided Hospital List
Every PMI policy comes with a "hospital list"—the network of private hospitals you can use for treatment. To reduce costs, insurers offer different tiers of lists.
- Comprehensive Lists: Include premium central London hospitals (e.g., The Lister, The London Clinic), which are the most expensive.
- Guided or Limited Lists: Exclude the most expensive hospitals or use a smaller, pre-approved network of high-quality national hospitals. Insurers negotiate preferential rates with these hospitals, passing the savings on to you.
Freelancer Tip: Unless you live in central London and are determined to be treated there, choosing a guided list is one of the easiest ways to cut your premium by up to 20%. You still get access to excellent private facilities across the country.
3. Add the "Six-Week Option"
This is perhaps the single most effective cost-saving feature for private medical insurance UK.
- How it works: If you need in-patient treatment (e.g., surgery), you first check the NHS waiting list for that procedure in your area.
- If the NHS wait is longer than six weeks, your private cover kicks in immediately, and you are treated privately.
- If the NHS can treat you within six weeks, you use the NHS for that treatment.
- The Impact: This option can slash your premiums by 25-40%. It acts as a safety net, guaranteeing you won't face a long wait while still leveraging the free services of the NHS when it is efficient. It perfectly balances cost and speedy access.
Freelancer Tip: For most freelancers, this is a must-have. You're primarily buying PMI to avoid long, income-threatening delays. The six-week option ensures you do just that, at a much lower price.
4. Tailor Your Out-patient Cover
PMI cover is split into two main parts:
- In-patient/Day-patient: Cover for treatment where you need a hospital bed, either overnight (in-patient) or for the day (day-patient). This includes the surgery itself, accommodation, and nursing care. This is the core of any PMI policy.
- Out-patient: Cover for services where you don't need a hospital bed. This includes initial specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and scans (like MRI, CT, PET scans).
To make a policy more affordable, you can limit or remove the out-patient cover.
| Out-patient Cover Level | Description | Impact on Premium | Best for... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Cover | All eligible out-patient consultations and diagnostics are covered. | Highest Cost | Those wanting complete peace of mind with no upfront diagnostic costs. |
| Capped Cover | You set a financial limit per year (e.g., £500, £1,000, or £1,500). | Medium Cost | A good balance. Covers a few consultations and scans but protects against a large premium. |
| No Cover | You pay for your own consultations and diagnostics to get a diagnosis. The PMI then covers the expensive in-patient treatment. | Lowest Cost | Budget-conscious freelancers who can afford to self-fund the initial diagnostic phase, which might cost £500-£1,500. |
Freelancer Tip: Capped out-patient cover of around £1,000 is a popular, balanced choice. It provides enough cover for the most likely diagnostic pathways while keeping premiums manageable.
5. Choose the Right Underwriting
Underwriting is how an insurer assesses your medical history to decide what they will and won't cover.
- Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): You provide a full medical history declaration when you apply. The insurer explicitly lists any conditions or body parts that will be excluded from cover. It's clear from day one what isn't covered.
- Moratorium Underwriting (Mori): This is the most common type. You don't declare your medical history upfront. Instead, the policy automatically excludes any condition you've had symptoms, treatment, or advice for in the last five years. However, if you remain symptom-free and treatment-free for that condition for two continuous years after your policy starts, the exclusion may be lifted.
Moratorium is quicker to set up, but can create uncertainty at the point of a claim. FMU takes longer but provides total clarity. An expert PMI broker can advise which is best for your circumstances.
6. Pay Annually
If your cash flow allows, paying for your PMI policy in one annual lump sum can often secure you a discount of around 5% compared to paying in monthly instalments.
7. Use an Independent PMI Broker
Trying to compare the private health cover market yourself is complex and time-consuming. Each insurer has different terms, hospital lists, and claim philosophies. This is where a broker is essential.
- Expertise: A specialist broker like WeCovr understands the intricate details of policies from across the market.
- Whole-of-Market Comparison: They can compare quotes from all the leading UK providers (Aviva, AXA Health, Bupa, The Exeter, Vitality, and more) to find the best fit for your needs and budget.
- No Cost to You: Brokers are paid a commission by the insurer you choose, so their expert advice and support are free for you.
- Tailored Advice: They will help you implement the cost-saving measures detailed above to build a policy that delivers maximum value.
Using a broker ensures you're not just buying the cheapest policy, but the best value policy that will actually deliver when you need it most.
Is PMI a Tax-Deductible Expense for Freelancers?
This is a common and important question. The answer depends on your business structure.
For Sole Traders & Partnerships
If you are a sole trader, HMRC generally considers private medical insurance to be a personal expense, not a business one. This means you cannot claim PMI premiums as a tax-deductible expense against your income. You pay for it out of your post-tax earnings.
For Limited Company Directors
If you run your own limited company, the company can pay for your PMI premiums. This is an allowable business expense for the company, meaning it can be offset against the company's corporation tax bill.
However, HMRC views this as a 'benefit-in-kind' for the director. This means:
- The company must report it on a P11D form.
- You, the director, will have to pay personal income tax on the value of the benefit (the cost of the premium).
- The company will have to pay Class 1A National Insurance contributions on the premium amount.
Verdict: While there is a tax liability, it is often more tax-efficient for the company to pay than for the director to pay from their post-tax salary or dividends. Always consult your accountant for advice specific to your financial situation.
Beyond Insurance: A Holistic Approach to Freelancer Wellbeing
The best way to manage health costs is to stay healthy. Many modern PMI providers actively encourage this with a range of wellness benefits that are especially useful for freelancers.
- Digital GP Services: Most top PMI providers now offer a 24/7 digital GP service via an app. This allows you to get a video consultation with a GP within hours, often from the comfort of your home office. It's perfect for getting quick advice, prescriptions, or a referral without disrupting your workday.
- Mental Health Support: The pressure of freelance life can take its toll. Recognising this, insurers like Bupa, AXA, and Vitality now include extensive mental health support in their core policies, offering access to counselling or therapy without needing a GP referral.
- Wellness Programmes & Discounts: Vitality is famous for its wellness programme, rewarding members with discounts and perks (like free coffee and cinema tickets) for staying active. This gamified approach to health can be a powerful motivator.
WeCovr's Added Value for Freelancers
As a modern broker, WeCovr believes in supporting our clients' overall wellbeing.
- When you arrange your PMI or Life Insurance through us, you get complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, to help you stay on top of your diet.
- We also offer our clients exclusive discounts on other essential freelance insurance products, such as income protection and critical illness cover, helping you build a comprehensive financial safety net.
Getting Your Personalised PMI Quote
Getting a quote is simple and straightforward. Working with a broker like WeCovr ensures the process is handled efficiently and you see the best options available.
- Initial Chat: You'll have a brief, no-obligation conversation with an adviser to discuss your needs, budget, and priorities.
- Market Research: Your adviser will research policies from the UK's leading insurers, applying the cost-saving tactics you've discussed (e.g., a £500 excess and the six-week option).
- Review Your Options: You will be presented with 2-3 clear, jargon-free quotes. Your adviser will explain the pros and cons of each, helping you make an informed decision.
- Application: Once you've chosen a policy, your adviser will help you complete the application, ensuring a smooth process.
You are in complete control at every stage, with expert guidance to support you.
Is private health insurance worth it for a self-employed person in the UK?
Can I get private medical insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?
How much does PMI cost for a freelancer?
Protect your most important asset—your health—and ensure your freelance business can thrive, no matter what comes your way.
Ready to see how affordable your cover could be? Get a free, no-obligation quote from a WeCovr PMI expert today and compare the UK's leading insurers in minutes.
Why private medical insurance and how does it work?
What is Private Medical Insurance?
Private medical insurance (PMI) is a type of health insurance that provides access to private healthcare services in the UK. It covers the cost of private medical treatment, allowing you to bypass NHS waiting lists and receive faster, more convenient care.How does it work?
Private medical insurance works by paying for your private healthcare costs. When you need treatment, you can choose to go private and your insurance will cover the costs, subject to your policy terms and conditions. This can include:• Private consultations with specialists
• Private hospital treatment and surgery
• Diagnostic tests and scans
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Mental health treatment
Your premium depends on factors like your age, health, occupation, and the level of cover you choose. Most policies offer different levels of cover, from basic to comprehensive, allowing you to tailor the policy to your needs and budget.
Questions to ask yourself regarding private medical insurance
Just ask yourself:👉 Are you concerned about NHS waiting times for treatment?
👉 Would you prefer to choose your own consultant and hospital?
👉 Do you want faster access to diagnostic tests and scans?
👉 Would you like private hospital accommodation and better food?
👉 Do you want to avoid the stress of NHS waiting lists?
Many people don't realise that private medical insurance is more affordable than they think, especially when you consider the value of faster treatment and better facilities. A great insurance policy can provide peace of mind and ensure you receive the care you need when you need it.
Benefits offered by private medical insurance
Private medical insurance provides numerous benefits that can significantly improve your healthcare experience and outcomes:Faster Access to Treatment
One of the biggest advantages is avoiding NHS waiting lists. While the NHS provides excellent care, waiting times can be lengthy. With private medical insurance, you can often receive treatment within days or weeks rather than months.
Choice of Consultant and Hospital
You can choose your preferred consultant and hospital, giving you more control over your healthcare journey. This is particularly important for complex treatments where you want a specific specialist.
Better Facilities and Accommodation
Private hospitals typically offer superior facilities, including private rooms, better food, and more comfortable surroundings. This can make your recovery more pleasant and potentially faster.
Advanced Treatments
Private medical insurance often covers treatments and medications not available on the NHS, giving you access to the latest medical advances and technologies.
Mental Health Support
Many policies include comprehensive mental health coverage, providing faster access to therapy and psychiatric care when needed.
Tax Benefits for Business Owners
If you're self-employed or a business owner, private medical insurance premiums can be tax-deductible, making it a cost-effective way to protect your health and your business.
Peace of Mind
Knowing you have access to private healthcare when you need it provides invaluable peace of mind, especially for those with ongoing health conditions or concerns about NHS capacity.
Private medical insurance is particularly valuable for those who want to take control of their healthcare journey and ensure they receive the best possible treatment when they need it most.
Important Fact!
We can look at a more suitable option mid-term!
Why is it important to get private medical insurance early?
👉 Many people are very thankful that they had their private medical insurance cover in place before running into some serious health issues. Private medical insurance is as important as life insurance for protecting your family's finances.👉 We insure our cars, houses, and even our phones! Yet our health is the most precious thing we have.
Easily one of the most important insurance purchases an individual or family can make in their lifetime, the decision to buy private medical insurance can be made much simpler with the help of FCA-authorised advisers. They are the specialists who do the searching and analysis helping people choose between various types of private medical insurance policies available in the market, including different levels of cover and policy types most suitable to the client's individual circumstances.
It certainly won't do any harm if you speak with one of our experienced insurance experts who are passionate about advising people on financial matters related to private medical insurance and are keen to provide you with a free consultation.
You can discuss with them in detail what affordable private medical insurance plan for the necessary peace of mind they would recommend! WeCovr works with some of the best advisers in the market.
By tapping the button below, you can book a free call with them in less than 30 seconds right now:
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Who Are WeCovr?
WeCovr is an insurance specialist for people valuing their peace of mind and a great service.👍 WeCovr will help you get your private medical insurance, life insurance, critical illness insurance and others in no time thanks to our wonderful super-friendly experts ready to assist you every step of the way.
Just a quick and simple form and an easy conversation with one of our experts and your valuable insurance policy is in place for that needed peace of mind!