Provider comparison
Bupa vs Vitality
Side-by-side comparison from the PerkIQ directory. Cover, pricing, regulator status, and fit at a glance.
Bupa and Vitality are two of the best-known names in UK private medical insurance, but they sell quite different propositions. Bupa is the UK's largest PMI provider, leaning on scale, its own clinics and competitive pricing. Vitality pairs medical cover with an engagement-based rewards programme that pays members back for healthy behaviour.
- Comprehensive PMI. In-patient, day-patient, and outpatient cover with flexible tiering. Choose from open-referral, guided, or directional schemes.
- Bupa Anywhere GP. Virtual GP service with 15-minute appointments, prescriptions, and onward referral, included in most schemes.
- Mental health support. Direct-access talking therapies, no GP referral required. Up to 28 sessions on most corporate plans.
- Bupa-owned clinics. Members get priority access to Bupa Cromwell Hospital, Bupa Dental Care, and Bupa Health Clinics across the UK.
- Private medical cover. In-patient and day-patient treatment, diagnostic tests, mental health support, and outpatient surgery at private hospitals.
- Vitality Programme. Points-based engagement rewards. Employees earn discounts on Apple Watch, Garmin, gym memberships, and cinema tickets.
- GP & mental health. Unlimited virtual GP appointments, talking therapies (up to 8 sessions), and referral to specialists without NHS waiting.
- Preventative care. Health screenings, smoking cessation programmes, weight management, and 24/7 virtual nurse helpline.
- Optional dental & optical. Bolt-on dental and optical cover with allowances per employee per year, configurable at company level.
- Family & partner cover. Add partners and children at preferential rates. Cover extends to maternity, paediatric specialists, and children's mental health.
- Employers wanting a recognised PMI brand: Bupa's scale, consultant networks and own clinics suit companies competing on health benefits.
- Workforces that value fast treatment access: broad hospital lists, a virtual GP and direct-access mental health support reduce reliance on NHS waiting lists.
- Mid-sized to large employers (50+): flexible tiering and broker-negotiated renewals work best at scale.
- Pure cost-led buyers: premiums sit at the fuller end of the market, so a cash plan may give broader coverage per pound.
- Small teams wanting whole-workforce cover: acute PMI is pricier per head than a cash plan for everyday costs.
- Mid-market employers (50-500) wanting a recognised brand to compete with larger employers on benefits
- Workforces engaged with wellbeing: the rewards programme drives most of the value, so passive employees see less ROI
- Tech, professional services, financial services: sectors with younger demographics that engage with the programme
- Pure-cost-focused employers: premiums tend to sit above non-engagement-based providers like Aviva PMI or Bupa Select
- Manual, shift-based workforces: the rewards programme assumes consistent activity tracking, which is harder for non-desk workers
Bupa prices corporate PMI per-employee-per-month, varying by cover tier, age profile, sector, and excess. Typical UK SME premiums range £30-£100 per employee per month for standard cover.
Available direct or through a broker. Brokers often negotiate sharper renewal terms for mid-market schemes (250+ lives).
Indicative range; obtain a quote via Bupa or an FCA-authorised broker.
Vitality prices on a per-employee-per-month basis, set during an underwriting process that considers company size, age demographic, sector, and selected cover level. Typical UK SME premiums range from approximately £35 to £120 per employee per month for the core medical cover, with bolt-ons (dental, optical, partner cover, family) layered on top.
Discounts available for: opting in to underwriting review at renewal, encouraging Vitality points engagement (which earns a renewal discount), and pre-existing condition exclusions where appropriate.
Indicative range based on UK market data; obtain a formal quote via Vitality or a benefits broker.
- FCA authorised & regulated
- UK's largest PMI provider by member count
- No shareholders (company limited by guarantee)
- 2.3m+ UK members
- Direct & broker channels
- Own clinics and dental practices
- FCA authorised & regulated
- UK head office, Bournemouth
- Discovery Group subsidiary
- 1.7m UK members
- Quote turnaround: 5-10 days
- Available via direct or broker
Which should you choose?
Choose Bupa if you want broad, dependable cover at a competitive price. As a company limited by guarantee with its own hospitals, dental practices and a strong virtual GP service, it suits employers who value network reach and value for money across a whole workforce.
Choose Vitality if engagement with wellbeing is a priority. The points-based rewards, from discounts on wearables to gym memberships, drive most of its value, so it works best where staff will actually use the programme. Premiums tend to sit above non-engagement providers, so the rewards need to land to justify the cost.
Both are FCA-authorised and price per employee per month. The choice usually comes down to value and network reach (Bupa) versus engagement and rewards (Vitality).
Pick the right one with data, not a sales pitch
Score your benefits stack with PerkIQ and you'll see which of these (or another provider entirely) closes the biggest gaps for your team.
Information on this page is editorial, gathered from public sources and the providers' own materials, and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation. For a quote, contact each provider directly or speak to an FCA-authorised broker. PerkIQ is not a reseller and earns no commission on provider sign-ups.
