Published on 26 May 2026
Work health insurance, more commonly known as private medical insurance or PMI, is one of the most valued, and often most misunderstood, workplace benefits. A surprising number of employees don’t realise they have PMI at all, or don’t understand what it covers. This is often because it’s bundled into a wider benefits package, explained only briefly when you start a new job, or simply never used. As a result, valuable cover can go untouched, even when it could make a real difference to your health.
At Benenden Hospital, we welcome patients with private medical insurance - whether you hold an individual policy or are covered through your employer - with the confidence that costs are settled directly with us by your insurer. Taking a few minutes to understand what your policy covers could help you access care more quickly and with greater peace of mind.
You don’t have to be a senior leader to get private medical insurance
While PMI was once seen as a benefit reserved for senior leaders, this is no longer always the case. As policies have become more flexible and employers increasingly recognise the importance of supporting employee health and wellbeing, access to PMI has expanded. Many organisations now offer it to a wider range of employees, making it a more common part of modern benefits packages.
It’s easy to find out if you have private medical insurance through your job
Although many employees actively opt in to their employer’s PMI scheme, others may be automatically enrolled without realising it. If you’re unsure, it’s worth checking your employee benefits portal or intranet, reviewing your contract, or looking at your payslip for any references to medical insurance. You may also have received emails from an insurer, or you can confirm the details with your HR department. A quick check can often reveal cover you didn’t know you had.
You don’t need your boss’ permission to use your work health insurance
You don’t need your employer’s or manager’s permission to use your private medical insurance. Health information is protected by strict privacy rules under GDPR, meaning your employer cannot access your medical records or details of your treatment.
Once you’re enrolled in a workplace scheme, you can usually contact your insurer directly, arrange appointments and book treatment with your chosen hospital without involving your boss at all.
You may be able to add people to your work health insurance plan
The ability to add others to your policy depends on your employer’s scheme and level of cover, but there are some common patterns. Most workplace PMI plans allow you to include a partner, such as a spouse, civil partner or long-term partner - as well as children, including biological, adopted or stepchildren. Children are typically covered up to age 18, or up to 25 if they’re in full-time education. In most cases, you’ll need to pay an additional premium to include them.
Some schemes may also allow cover for foster children or, in rare cases, extended dependents, although this is less common. Parents, grandparents and siblings aren’t generally eligible under workplace policies and would normally need to arrange their own insurance policy.
Private medical insurance can help you get treated faster
Having PMI through your employer can make a noticeable difference when you need care. It often means quicker access to specialist consultations, diagnostic tests such as MRI or CT scans, and planned treatments or surgery, helping to reduce waiting times and uncertainty.
Many policies also include access to mental health support, physiotherapy and musculoskeletal treatment, as well as GP services, often delivered via phone or video consultation.
Importantly, using PMI does not affect your entitlement to NHS services, including emergency care.
Private medical insurance is valuable, even if you’re young and healthy
It’s easy to assume health insurance is only useful later in life, but unexpected health issues can arise at any age. In fact, according to WeCovr, many of the most common claims relate to conditions that develop without warning, particularly in working-age adults. These often include musculoskeletal problems such as back, knee or shoulder pain, mental health conditions, or symptoms that require further investigation, such as neurological, cardiac or abdominal concerns.
Other frequently reported issues include ear, nose and throat conditions, skin conditions and urinary problems. Having PMI in place can make it easier to access diagnosis and treatment when you need it.
You don’t usually pay the full cost yourself
Private medical insurance provided through work is classed as a taxable benefit in kind, meaning the cost of the premium is added to your taxable income. Even so, it is often significantly more cost-effective than arranging equivalent cover independently. In many cases, employers either cover the full cost of the premium or share the cost with employees through payroll deductions.
Some schemes allow employees to pay the full amount themselves but at a discounted group rate. It’s also worth noting that some policies include an excess, which you may need to pay when making a claim.
Fast access to diagnosis and treatment through your private medical insurance
With high patient satisfaction rates, treatment by leading and highly respected consultants and first-class care from dedicated clinical teams, we’ll ensure that you get the diagnosis and treatment you need, fast. Depending on the level of cover your company policy offers, our services will help you get back to your normal activities, including work, quickly, minimising time off and any potential loss of income through illness.
Discover how to access diagnosis and treatment using your private medical insurance by reading our handy guide, by contacting our Private Patient team by phone on 01580 363158 or by requesting a callback.