Provider comparison
Vitality vs Bupa
Side-by-side comparison from the PerkIQ directory. Cover, pricing, regulator status, and fit at a glance.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
No fit notes published.
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.
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.
- FCA authorised & regulated
- UK head office, Bournemouth
- Discovery Group subsidiary
- 1.7m UK members
- Quote turnaround: 5-10 days
- Available via direct or 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
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.
