Who Pays Taxes and Will You Still Get Charged as a Benefit in Kind?

Your employer can pay for private health insurance as part of your job benefits. Private health insurance allows you to get medical treatment much faster at private hospitals and clinics instead of waiting long for NHS care.

With private cover, you avoid long waiting lists for operations, tests, scans, and appointments with specialists. The insurance pays for you to get this private treatment right away when you need it.

Employers offer health insurance because it helps attract and keep good employees. Workers feel valued when their company invests in their health and well-being.

Let’s explore all the key details about how employers can provide and pay for this health coverage for their staff.

Key Takeaways

• Your employer can legally pay some or all of the costs for private health insurance as part of your job benefits package.
• Having employer-provided private medical insurance allows you to access care quickly at private hospitals and clinics, avoiding long NHS wait times.
• There are tax advantages for both employers and employees when companies offer private health cover.
• If your workplace doesn’t provide insurance, you can respectfully discuss adding it as an employee benefit or explore getting an individual policy on your own.

Can My Employer Pay For My Private Health Insurance?

Yes, employers in the UK can legally pay for private health insurance as a benefit for their employees. There are a few different ways this can work:

Your employer may fully cover the cost of a private health insurance policy for you. This means they pay the entire annual or monthly premium to the insurance company, and you don’t have to pay anything out of your own pocket, however this will be treated as a benefit in kind for income tax purposes.

Or, your employer could pay only a portion of the premium cost, and you cover the remaining amount through payroll deductions from your salary. This shares the insurance cost between the company and the employee.

Many employers offer a company-wide private health insurance plan that covers all employees. But some may only provide it as an optional benefit that you can choose to enrol in and pay for through your compensation package.

No matter how they structure it, employers can absolutely pay for private medical insurance legally in the UK as part of the benefits they provide staff members.

Understanding Tax Implications

Employee Tax Considerations

If your employer pays for your private health insurance policy, there are some tax considerations to be aware of:

• It is considered a ‘benefit in kind’, which means you may have to pay some income tax on it, even though your employer covers the cost.
• How much tax you owe depends on a few factors, like your income level, the insurance premium amount, and whether you contribute anything towards the premium yourself.
• Your employer should include the taxable value of the health insurance on your payslip and P11D form so you can report and pay the correct tax.
• Lower-income employees may end up paying little to no tax on employer-provided health insurance thanks to their annual tax-free allowances.

So, while employer-paid health insurance cover is a great benefit, be prepared that a portion of its value may be taxable as part of your overall compensation package.

Employer Tax Benefits and Duties

For employers, offering private health insurance has some tax advantages too:

• Insurance premiums paid for employees can typically be treated as a tax-deductible business expense.
• This reduces the overall taxable profits for the company, providing some financial incentive.
• However, employers have to properly report insurance premiums paid as a business expense and taxable benefit for employees.
• They should follow HMRC guidelines on calculating and withholding the appropriate payroll taxes related to health insurance benefits.

Overall, private health coverage has tax implications for both employees and employers. But when structured properly, it can provide tax savings for the company.

Comparing Insurance Options

Employer-Paid vs. Personal Health Insurance

There are some key differences between private health insurance paid for by your employer versus a personal policy you purchase yourself:

Feature	Employer-Paid Health Insurance	Personal Health Insurance
Premium Payment	The employer covers some or all of the premium costs.	The individual pays the entire premium amount out of pocket.
Coverage	Typically provides core coverage for hospital stays, surgeries, etc.	Can be customised to include comprehensive coverage.
Cost Flexibility	May have annual limits on total claim amounts.	More flexibility in choosing coverage limits and options.
Customisation	Allows for customization and adding extra coverage.	Allows for customization and adding extra coverage.
Portability	Coverage is tied to the job; if you leave you will have to obtain cover to continue – this is classed as group leaver.	Portable; coverage moves with you if you change jobs.
Tax Implications	Employer-paid premiums can be pre-tax, offering tax savings.	Premiums paid with after-tax income; not taxable.
Control	Less control over the specifics of the plan.	Complete control over the plan and provider choices.

When it comes to cost, employer-paid plans are usually cheaper since companies can negotiate better group rates. But personal plans give you more flexibility if you need robust coverage.

Top Insurance Plans for Employers

If your employer is considering providing health insurance, here are some top-rated plans to look into:

Insurance Provider	Key Features
Bupa	Offers core hospital cover, with options for outpatient treatment, dental treatment, and optical services.
Vitality Health	Incentivises healthy living with discounts and rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
AXA Health	Provides a variety of affordable plans suitable for SMEs and corporate settings.
Aviva	Specialises in tailored coverage options for larger companies, offering flexibility.

When selecting a plan, consider the level of cover needed, cost per employee, any service limitations, and the reputation of the insurance provider. Comprehensive research upfront leads to the right employee health insurance fit.

Advantages for Employees and Employers

Offering private health insurance provides significant advantages for both employees and their employers:

For Employees:

• Fast access to medical treatment avoids long NHS waiting times
• Ability to get seen by leading private specialists
• More choice over when and where to receive medical care
• Less time off work due to quicker recovery and treatment
• Peace of mind knowing healthcare costs are covered

For Employers:

• Helps attract and retain valuable employees
• Improves employee productivity, satisfaction and loyalty
• Can qualify for tax savings on insurance premiums paid
• Promotes a healthier, more present workforce
• Demonstrates commitment to employee well-being

When companies invest in comprehensive private health coverage for their staff, it creates a win-win situation. Employees gain access to top-quality care while employers benefit from a motivated, healthy team and tax incentives.

This sought-after benefit is a valuable part of an overall compensation package that keeps both parties happy. With shared advantages, providing employer-paid private medical insurance makes good business sense.

Employee Strategies for Acquiring Health Benefits

How to Approach Your Employer

If business health insurance isn’t currently offered where you work, you can raise the topic respectfully with your employer:

• Do some research first on typical plans and costs in your industry
• Schedule a meeting to discuss adding health cover as an employee benefit
• Highlight the advantages for the company, like tax savings and employee retention
• Suggest starting with a basic, more affordable plan if budget is a concern
• See if a portion of the premium can be payroll deducted if the company can’t cover it all

Coming prepared with facts and flexible options increases the likelihood of getting health insurance added to your employee benefits package.

Knowing Your Rights and Options

As an employee, you have the right to inquire about benefits like health insurance. If your employer declines to provide it:

• Understand you may need to pursue an individual private policy on your own
• Compare rates across major insurers like Bupa, AXA, Vitality
• Work with an independent broker to find the best coverage fit
• See if you qualify for any discounts or tax relief on premiums
• Evaluate if the out-of-pocket cost is feasible for your household budget

While not ideal, securing your own private health cover ensures you have access to prompt quality care, even if not subsidised by an employer.

Your Next Steps

If you’re interested in getting private health insurance through your job, take action now! Speak to the human resources team at your company. Come prepared with questions and reasons why offering this benefit is valuable:

• It allows employees to get medical treatment much faster
• It provides tax advantages for the company
• It improves employee satisfaction and loyalty

If cost is a concern, suggest starting with a basic, more affordable insurance plan. You can look at enhancing the coverage later.

If you’re currently job hunting, be sure to ask about potential employers’ health insurance packages during interviews. This lets you evaluate the full compensation.

Still have questions? No problem! Contact our team for a free, personalised consultation and expert advice on getting the right health coverage for your situation and employment. We’ll guide you through understanding your options.

Don’t put off taking care of your health. Reach out to us or your employer today about securing private medical insurance.