Health insurance for the self-employed
- Get healthier, get rewarded - Earn rewards and discounts from top brands for staying active and managing your health
- Fast access to care - See a private GP within 48 hours and get rapid referrals to specialists
- Comprehensive digital tools - Manage your health and claims easily with Vitality's intuitive app and online services
Join 1.9 million UK members that have insurance with us
What is self- employed health insurance?
Self-employed health insurance is a type of private medical cover designed specifically for freelancers, contractors, and sole traders. Unlike traditional employee benefits, it provides independent professionals with direct access to private healthcare services—helping you stay healthy, minimise downtime, and keep your business running smoothly.
Who is it for?
- Freelancers working across industries like design, tech, or media
- Contractors operating through limited companies or umbrella firms
- Sole traders managing their own business operations
- Gig economy workers without access to employer-provided benefits
Why health insurance matters to the self-employed?
When you're self-employed, time off work can mean lost income. Without employer sick pay or health benefits, even minor health issues can disrupt your livelihood. Private health insurance helps you:
- Get faster access to diagnosis and treatment
- Choose from a wide network of private specialists
- Book appointments that fit around your schedule
- Avoid long NHS waiting times for non-urgent care
How it works alongside the NHS?
Private health insurance complements NHS services. While the NHS remains your go-to for emergency care and chronic conditions, private cover gives you more control and convenience for elective treatments, diagnostics, and specialist consultations.
With Vitality, you also get:
- Flexible cover options tailored to your needs
- Rewards for staying active and healthy
- Support that fits around your working life
For a deeper look at how this type of cover works, including what it offers and how it compares to NHS services, explore our full health insurance for self-employed guide.
What does self-employed health insurance cover?
Vitality's health insurance for self-employed professionals is designed to support your wellbeing while helping you minimise time away from work. It includes core cover as standard, with optional extras you can tailor to your needs and budget.
Core cover (included as standard):
| Benefit | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Fast access to Vitality GPs | Book appointments quickly – often within 48 hours , so you can get back to work sooner. |
| Diagnostic tests and scans | Speedy access to MRIs, X-rays, and blood tests to avoid delays in treatment |
| Hospital Treatment | Hospital care, including day visits, overnight stays and tests and scans like blood tests or X-rays. |
| Cancer cover |
Comprehensive support including risk assessments, discounted screenings* and treatment. *Discounted cancer screenings available to members where appropriate, based on members age and gender. Members who are identified as high-risk will be encouraged to access the discounted cancer screening. |
| Mental health | Up to 8 sessions of Talking Therapies including counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy to help manage stress, anxiety or burnout - common challenges for self-employed workers |
| Physiotherapy |
Sort any joint and muscle niggles with up to six physio sessions per plan year – no GP referral needed |
| Digital tools | Manage appointments, claims, and rewards easily through the Vitality UK app – ideal for busy schedules. |
Optional cover (add-ons you can choose):
| Add on | Why it's useful |
|---|---|
| Optical, Dental and Hearing cover |
Helps with the cost of routine check-ups, glasses, and unexpected treatments |
| Worldwide travel insurance | Protects you when working or travelling abroad, with cover for medical emergencies. |
| Hospital options | Select a hospital list or pick from our panel of specialists, and choose where you’re treated. |
| Mental Health Cover |
Full cover for Talking Therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and counselling. And cover for up to 28 days of in-patient treatment and 28 days of day-patient treatment* *After 56 days without in-patient or day-patient treatment, we'll fully restore your benefit limits, covering you for further episodes of care during your plan year |
| Out-patient Cover | Includes unlimited physiotherapy within our network, full cover for MRI, CT and PET scans and cover for out patient consultations, consultant appointments and diagnostic tests - such as X-rays. |
| Therapies Cover | Full cover for holistic treatments, including chiropractic and osteopathy treatments, acupuncture, plus up to two consultations with a dietician |
This flexible structure means you can build a plan that works for your lifestyle, whether you want essential protection or more comprehensive peace of mind.
What's not covered by self-employed health insurance?
While self-employed health insurance offers flexible and valuable protection, it’s important to understand what’s not usually included, so you can make informed decisions and avoid unexpected costs.
Common exclusions include:
- Pre-existing conditions: These are medical conditions you had symptoms of, received treatment for, or were diagnosed with before your policy started. While they may not be covered immediately, new conditions that arise after your policy begins are typically fully covered.
- Routine pregnancy and childbirth: Standard maternity care is not usually included, though complications during pregnancy may be covered depending on your plan.
- Cosmetic surgery: Procedures carried out for aesthetic reasons rather than medical necessity are generally excluded.
- Long-term chronic condition management: Ongoing treatment for conditions like diabetes or asthma is usually handled by the NHS, though private cover may support initial diagnosis or short-term treatment.
- Non-clinically necessary treatment: Claims must follow clinical guidelines and be referred through approved pathways to be eligible.
Understanding these exclusions helps ensure your cover aligns with your expectations and needs. For a more detailed breakdown, see our guide on health insurance and pre-existing conditions.
Why choose Vitality self-employed health insurance?
We offer more than just medical cover - it's designed to keep self- employed people healthy and working. With fast access to GPs and treatment, you avoid long NHS wait times and get back on your feet quicker.
You'll also benefit from wellness rewards, activity trackers, and the ability to tailor your plan to your needs- making it a smart choice for protecting both your health and income.
How much does health insurance cost?
The cost of health insurance for self-employed individuals varies depending on several personal and policy-related factors. With Vitality, you can tailor your plan to suit your needs and budget—while also earning rewards that help reduce your premiums over time.
What affects the cost?
- Your age: Premiums tend to be lower for younger individuals and increase with age.
- Location: Where you live can influence pricing due to regional healthcare costs.
- Health status: Your current health and medical history may impact your quote.
- Level of cover: Basic plans are more affordable, while adding extras like mental health or worldwide travel cover increases the premium.
- Lifestyle choices: Non-smokers and those who stay active may benefit from lower premiums.
For a full breakdown of how pricing works and what influences your quote, see our guide on the cost of private health insurance.
Save more with Vitality
Vitality rewards healthy living. By staying active and engaging with the Vitality programme, you can unlock discounts on your premiums, as well as benefits like gym memberships, wearable tech, and more.
How does Vitality health insurance work?
Get a quote
Get a quote tailored to your personal and business needs
Cover that suits you
Choose your cover - from core benefits to add-ons like mental health Cover or Optical, Dental and Hearing Cover
Vitality GP
Use the Vitality GP app to book a video GP appointment.
Rewards
Earn points for healthy activities and unlock rewards
Health insurance with rewards
Vitality stands out with it's unique rewards program. You earn points for doing healthy things like walking, running, going to the gym, or getting health checks. The more active you are, the more you get back.
perks include discounts on :
- Apple watch, Garmin, and Polar fitness devices
- Gym membership, cinema tickets, and healthy food
- Travel and lifestyle brands - including savings on hotel bookings, spa experiences, and retail partners that support your wellbeing and leisure time
