Can I get private medical insurance if I’m self-employed?

Key takeaways

• You can take out an individual private medical insurance if you’re self-employed and, in some circumstances, you may be able to take out business medical insurance

• This can help you avoid NHS waiting lists and get treated sooner so you can start earning money again as you won’t get statutory sick pay

• The cost of self-employed health insurance will depend on factors like your age, level of cover, medical history, and lifestyle

Can I get private medical insurance if I’m self-employed?

Yes, if you work for yourself as a freelancer, sole trader or small business owner you can take out private medical insurance, known as self-employed health insurance.

It offers the same benefits you’d expect with a standard private health insurance plan, such as:

• Reduced wait times

• Private facilities

• Access to treatments and specialists not available on the NHS 

• Mental health cover

• Cancer cover

• Physiotherapy

💡 Top tip: If you run your own business with at least two employees you may be able to take out workplace health insurance (also known as business health insurance).

Do I need health insurance if I’m self-employed? 

Having private healthcare could mean that if you become ill or injured you’re able to get treatment and return to work quicker than if you waited for treatment on the NHS.

This means you can minimise lost earnings as you won’t be receiving Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) while you’re off as SSP is paid by an employer to an employee.

📣 Did you know?

The NHS waiting list was 7.39 million at the end of September 2025, down from a peak of 7.7 million in September 2023, according to the BBC.

How much does health insurance typically cost if I’m self-employed? 

The cost of health insurance for self-employed individuals varies, depending on a range of factors:  

• Your age: As you grow older you become more susceptible to health conditions and illnesses, so cover becomes more expensive as insurers see you as a higher claim risk 

• Your chosen level of cover: Taking out more comprehensive plans that offer more cover will result in higher premiums 

• Your medical history: If you have a history of health conditions then you’ll present as more of a risk to insurers so they’ll charge more for cover. Be aware that health insurance providers won’t usually cover pre-existing conditions

• Your lifestyle: If you smoke or if you’re in a high-risk profession your insurance is likely to be more expensive 

• Where you live: If you like in London you’re private medical insurance premium is likely to be higher as treatment costs are more expensive

How can I get cheaper health insurance if I’m self-employed? 

To reduce the cost of cover you could: 

• Pay a higher voluntary excess. But be sure you can afford the cost when it comes to making a claim 

• Reduce the number of hospitals on your policy list

• Avoid adding extras, like eye care or dental care

• Take the ‘six-week’ option, which means you’ll use the NHS for treatment if it’s available within six weeks of you being referred 

What types of health insurance can I take out if I’m self-employed? 

Health insurance comes in various shapes and sizes, so you might want to think about the following types of cover: 

What should I consider when looking for self-employed health insurance? 

• Your budget: Consider what you’ll be able to afford monthly or annual premiums, as well as an excess payment if you need to claim 

• Your health and cover needs: Think about if there are any specific types of health cover you need, such as dental or eye care, as these are unlikely to be included in basic policies 

• Preferred doctors or hospitals: You might have a preferred network of specialists, hospitals or treatment types that only certain providers will offer access to 

• Risks associated with your profession: If there are any specific risks associated with your profession bear these in mind when looking for cover 

What does self-employed health insurance cover me for? 

If you’re self-employed you’ll be able to take out health insurance that covers a range of things depending on the level of protection you take out. Most providers will offer different tiers, loosely falling into the following categories: 

• Basic cover: This pays out for the cost of basic inpatient treatment if you need to stay at the hospital due to an illness or injury 

• Mid-level cover: You might have the option to upgrade your policy to include cover for outpatient treatment, such as scans, tests, certain procedures, and consultations  

• Comprehensive cover: More advanced plans can offer cover additional care, such as treatments not usually available on the NHS, cancer care, various therapies, mental health support, and more 

Does health insurance cover emergency care or chronic illnesses?  

No, health insurance does not typically cover emergency treatment as this is usually taken care of by the NHS, although it can come in useful for follow-up care and reducing waiting times.

Comprehensive plans might cover chronic illnesses, but in many cases you will need to look for specialist cover for pre-existing conditions. 

What am I not covered for with self-employed health insurance? 

Most types of insurance will list certain exclusions, and for health insurance you can generally expect the following not to be covered by standard policies:  

• A&E treatment

• Pre-existing conditions - you’ll need comprehensive cover or specialist care 

• Pregnancy, maternity care and childbirth 

• Infertility treatment 

• Cosmetic surgery 

• Transplants 

• Injuries or illnesses related to substance abuse or self-harm 

Can I cover my dependents on a self-employed health insurance policy? 

Yes, you can take out family cover to protect partners and children under the terms of your policy as a cost-effective alternative to individual cover. 

How do I apply for health insurance? 

If you’re self-employed, you can apply for health insurance by giving a few details about yourself, your health, and the cover you need. You may also need to complete a health check-up but not all providers will ask for this. 

What are the tax implications of self-employed health insurance? 

Personal health insurance is not usually tax-deductible as it’s seen as a personal expense, so you won’t be able to deduct your premiums as a business expense.

However, business health insurance, which may be available to you as a sole trader or the director of a limited company, is a tax-deductible expense. 

What other types of insurance should I consider when I’m self-employed? 

• Life insurance: A life insurance policy can help care for your loved ones after you pass away, either as a lump sum or regular payments to your dependents  

• Critical illness cover: Critical illness cover offers a payout if you become severely ill from conditions like heart attacks or a stroke 

• Income protection: Income protection insurance offers cover for any lost earnings resulting from illness or injury, usually through monthly payments  

How can I compare health insurance quotes?

You can compare private health insurance with MoneySuperMarket. Just tell us a little about yourself and your general health, as well as the cover you want, and we’ll search the market for deals that match your needs.