WPA vs AXA Which Offers Better Value for Businesses
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 800,000 policies, WeCovr is perfectly placed to compare private medical insurance options in the UK. Choosing the right health cover for your employees is one of the most significant decisions a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) can make. It’s a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent, reducing sickness absence, and fostering a positive company culture.
Two of the most respected names in the UK private health insurance market are WPA and AXA Health. While both offer excellent cover, they do so with different philosophies and strengths. This guide will dissect their offerings to help you decide which provider offers better value for your business.
WeCovr compares these providers for SME health cover
Deciding between two leading insurers can feel overwhelming. WPA is a not-for-profit provident association known for its customer-centric approach, while AXA Health is a global powerhouse renowned for its comprehensive digital tools and extensive network.
Our goal is to cut through the jargon and provide a clear, head-to-head comparison. We'll explore their core cover, optional extras, wellness benefits, and overall value proposition, so you can make an informed choice that aligns with your company's budget and your team's needs.
Why Should Your SME Invest in Private Health Insurance?
Before we dive into the specifics of WPA and AXA, it's worth recapping why business health insurance is so crucial in today's climate. With NHS waiting lists remaining a significant concern, providing a route to faster private treatment is more valuable than ever.
According to NHS England data, the waiting list for consultant-led elective care stood at millions of patients in early 2025. This can translate to long, anxious waits for employees needing diagnosis or treatment, impacting their well-being and productivity.
Benefits for Your Business:
- Reduced Absenteeism: Faster access to treatment means employees can get back to work sooner, minimising disruption.
- Enhanced Recruitment & Retention: A quality health insurance plan is a highly sought-after employee benefit, making your company more attractive to top candidates.
- Improved Morale & Productivity: Showing you care for your team's health fosters loyalty and a more engaged, productive workforce.
- A Duty of Care: It demonstrates a proactive approach to employee well-being.
Benefits for Your Employees:
- Peace of Mind: Knowing they have access to prompt medical care reduces stress.
- Choice and Control: Employees often have more choice over when and where they are treated and by which specialist.
- Access to Specialist Drugs & Treatments: Some treatments and drugs not yet available on the NHS may be covered.
A Crucial Note on PMI Cover: It's vital to understand that standard UK private medical insurance is designed to cover acute conditions – illnesses or injuries that are short-term and likely to respond to treatment. It does not cover pre-existing conditions (ailments you had before taking out the policy) or chronic conditions (long-term illnesses like diabetes or asthma that require ongoing management).
At a Glance: WPA vs AXA Health
Let's start with a high-level overview of the two providers.
| Feature | WPA (Western Provident Association) | AXA Health |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Not-for-profit provident association | Part of the global AXA Group, a for-profit insurer |
| Core Philosophy | Customer-first, ethical, transparent | Innovation, digital integration, comprehensive wellness |
| Market Focus | Individuals, families, and SMEs | Individuals, SMEs, and large corporations |
| Key Strengths | Award-winning customer service, flexible underwriting | Extensive hospital network, advanced digital tools, global brand recognition |
| Best For | SMEs prioritising exceptional service and ethical values | SMEs seeking a digitally advanced, all-in-one wellness and health solution |
Core Cover: What Comes as Standard?
The foundation of any health insurance policy is its 'core cover'. This typically includes the most expensive types of medical care: in-patient and day-patient treatment.
- In-patient Treatment: When you are admitted to a hospital and stay overnight.
- Day-patient Treatment: When you are admitted to a hospital for a procedure but do not need to stay overnight.
Both WPA and AXA provide robust core cover, but their approaches and the hospital lists they offer can differ.
WPA's Core Offer (Flexible Health - Essentials) WPA's entry-level business plan is designed to be a straightforward, affordable starting point. It typically includes:
- Full cover for hospital charges, specialist fees, and diagnostic tests for in-patient and day-patient treatment.
- A comprehensive cancer care pathway, covering diagnosis and treatment.
- A choice of hospital lists to help manage costs. You can opt for a more restricted list for a lower premium.
- NHS Hospital Cash Benefit: If an employee chooses to use the NHS for treatment that would have been covered privately, they receive a cash payment per night.
AXA Health's Core Offer (Business Health) AXA's standard business plan is comprehensive and built around giving members access to their extensive network. It generally includes:
- Full cover for in-patient and day-patient fees within their chosen hospital network.
- Extensive cancer cover, including support services and access to the latest approved treatments.
- Advanced digital tools like the AXA Doctor at Hand virtual GP service are often included as standard.
- A 'Guided Option' which can reduce premiums if members agree to use a specialist selected from a pre-approved list.
Head-to-Head: Core Cover
| Feature | WPA | AXA Health |
|---|---|---|
| In/Day-patient Cover | Comprehensive, with full cover for fees | Comprehensive, with full cover within their network |
| Cancer Cover | Extensive cover for diagnosis and treatment | Extensive cover with additional support services |
| Hospital Access | Tiered hospital lists to control costs | Broad network with a 'Guided Option' to save money |
| Standard Digital Tools | Health and Wellbeing App, Remote GP service | AXA Doctor at Hand (24/7 Virtual GP) |
Both providers offer excellent core protection. WPA’s model gives businesses fine-grained control over costs via its hospital lists, while AXA leads with its powerful, integrated digital GP service as a standard feature.
Customising Your Policy: A Deep Dive into Optional Extras
This is where you can truly tailor a policy to your team's specific needs and your company's budget. The main optional extras to consider are out-patient cover, mental health support, and therapies.
1. Out-patient Cover
Out-patient treatment is for consultations, diagnostic tests (like MRI scans), and procedures that don't require a hospital admission. It's one of the most frequently used parts of a PMI policy.
- WPA's Approach: WPA offers highly flexible out-patient options. You can choose from various annual monetary limits, for example, £500, £1,000, or £1,500 per person. This makes it easy to balance the level of cover with the premium cost. They also offer a 'shared responsibility' option where the company and employee can split the cost of the excess.
- AXA's Approach: AXA also provides tiered out-patient cover, often with options for full cover or set monetary limits. A key benefit is that their diagnostics are often covered in full, even on lower-tier out-patient plans, meaning employees can get a swift diagnosis without worrying about using up their consultation limit.
2. Mental Health Cover
In 2025, robust mental health support is non-negotiable. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), work-related stress, depression, or anxiety accounts for a significant proportion of all work-related ill health.
- WPA's Mental Health Pathway: WPA provides access to counselling and psychotherapy as an optional add-on. They have a strong focus on structured support, often providing an initial assessment followed by a set number of therapy sessions.
- AXA's 'Stronger Minds' Pathway: AXA has invested heavily in mental health. Their Stronger Minds service allows employees to access therapy sessions without needing a GP referral, reducing a key barrier to seeking help. This proactive, self-referral system is a major selling point for businesses wanting to prioritise mental well-being.
3. Therapies Cover
This includes treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic care, which are vital for musculoskeletal issues – a common cause of workplace absence.
- WPA: Offers a set number of sessions as an add-on, often with a clear and simple structure.
- AXA: Also provides therapy cover as an option. They often link this to their 'Working Body' service, which is designed to give employees quick access to physiotherapy to manage joint and muscle pain.
Comparison of Optional Extras
| Optional Benefit | WPA | AXA Health |
|---|---|---|
| Out-patient Cover | Flexible monetary limits (e.g., £500, £1,000). Highly customisable. | Tiered limits, often with full cover for diagnostics. |
| Mental Health | Structured therapy sessions available as an add-on. GP referral usually required. | 'Stronger Minds' pathway allows self-referral for prompt access to therapy. |
| Therapies | Add-on for a set number of physiotherapy, osteopathy sessions, etc. | 'Working Body' service for fast access to musculoskeletal support. |
| Dental & Optical | Available as a separate cash plan or add-on. | Can be added to the policy for routine and major dental/optical care. |
For businesses seeking maximum flexibility and cost control, WPA's modular approach to out-patient limits is very appealing. For those prioritising seamless, proactive mental health and physio support, AXA's integrated pathways like 'Stronger Minds' and 'Working Body' are market-leading.
Wellness and Value-Added Benefits: More Than Just Insurance
Modern health cover is about staying well, not just getting treated when you're ill. Both WPA and AXA excel here, but with different focuses.
WPA's Wellness Offering: WPA's benefits are centred around practical support and health information.
- WPA Health App: Provides access to policy information, claims tracking, and a 24/7 remote GP helpline.
- Health and Wellbeing Hub: An online portal with articles, guides, and resources on topics like nutrition, exercise, and mental resilience.
- Focus on Service: While they may have fewer flashy digital apps, WPA's not-for-profit ethos means they pour resources back into providing outstanding, human-centric customer service, which is a huge benefit in itself.
AXA's Wellness Offering: AXA's ecosystem of digital tools is arguably the most comprehensive in the market.
- AXA Doctor at Hand: A 24/7 virtual GP service provided by Teladoc Health. This allows employees to book video consultations quickly, often for the same day, from anywhere.
- Gym Discounts: AXA often partners with major gym chains to offer significant discounts on memberships, encouraging an active lifestyle.
- Health Coaching and Information: Their app and online portal are packed with personalised health advice, coaching programmes, and trackers.
The WeCovr Advantage: When you arrange your business health insurance through WeCovr, your team gets even more value.
- Complimentary Access to CalorieHero: All members gain free access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, helping them build healthy eating habits.
- Exclusive Discounts: As a WeCovr client, you'll also be eligible for discounts on other essential business and personal insurance products, from life insurance to public liability.
The Claims Process: How Easy Is It for Your Staff?
A smooth, simple claims process is essential. If your employees find it difficult to use their cover, the benefit is lost.
- WPA Claims: WPA is renowned for its straightforward and transparent claims process. They have a reputation for excellent communication and often empower specialists to bill them directly, reducing paperwork for the member. Their UK-based call centres are highly praised for their helpfulness.
- AXA Claims: AXA has a highly digitised claims process. Employees can often start a claim through the app or online portal. While their scale is immense, they have invested heavily in technology to make the process as seamless as possible. The self-referral pathways for mental health and physio also simplify the journey to getting care.
Both providers offer excellent claims handling. The choice may come down to preference: do your employees prefer a personal, telephone-based service (WPA) or a slick, app-driven digital experience (AXA)?
Cost and Value for Money: Which is More Affordable?
It is impossible to give exact figures for SME health insurance premiums, as the cost depends on many factors:
- Average age of employees: Younger teams are cheaper to insure.
- Location: Premiums are often higher in Central London due to higher hospital costs.
- Level of cover: The more optional extras you add, the higher the premium.
- Excess: A higher voluntary excess (the amount an employee pays towards a claim) will lower the premium.
- Underwriting type: The method used to assess pre-existing conditions.
However, we can talk about their general market positioning and value proposition.
- WPA: As a not-for-profit, WPA doesn't have shareholders to pay. Any surplus is reinvested into the business to improve service or keep premiums competitive. This can often translate into excellent value for money, particularly for SMEs who value service over digital bells and whistles. Their flexible options allow for precise budget control.
- AXA Health: As a premium provider with a vast array of digital tools and a huge network, AXA's premiums can sometimes be higher. However, the value is packed into the policy. The inclusion of a 24/7 virtual GP, self-referral for mental health, and gym discounts can represent significant real-world savings and benefits for employees, justifying the cost.
The "best value" is subjective. Is it the lowest possible price, or is it the most comprehensive package of support for a fair price? An expert PMI broker like WeCovr can run a full market comparison based on your specific team and budget to find the true best-value option for you.
Final Verdict: WPA or AXA for Your SME?
There is no single "winner". The right choice depends entirely on your business's priorities.
Choose WPA if:
- You prioritise exceptional, personal customer service and an ethical, not-for-profit ethos.
- Your budget requires granular control, and you appreciate the ability to tailor out-patient limits precisely.
- You want a straightforward, high-quality insurance product without needing a suite of complex digital apps.
- Your business values tradition, transparency, and a human touch.
Choose AXA Health if:
- You want a market-leading, digitally integrated health and wellness solution.
- Proactive mental health support and fast access to virtual GPs are top priorities for your team.
- Your employees are tech-savvy and would embrace using apps for managing their health.
- You are attracted by the brand recognition and extensive resources of a global insurance leader.
How WeCovr Makes the Decision Easy
Navigating the private medical insurance UK market can be complex. As an independent and FCA-authorised broker, WeCovr acts as your expert guide. We are not tied to any single insurer. Our loyalty is to you, our client.
We will:
- Listen to your business needs, budget, and employee demographics.
- Compare policies from WPA, AXA, and other leading UK providers.
- Explain the differences in plain English, ensuring you understand the cover.
- Recommend the policy that offers the best possible value for your unique circumstances.
Our service is provided at no cost to you. We are paid by the insurer you choose, so you get expert, unbiased advice without paying a penny extra.
Does UK private medical insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
What is the main difference between WPA and AXA for a small business?
How much does SME health insurance cost in the UK?
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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!