Provider comparison

WPA vs Bupa

Side-by-side comparison from the PerkIQ directory. Cover, pricing, regulator status, and fit at a glance.

WPA

Health & InsurancePrivate MedicalFCA-regulated

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Bupa

Health & InsurancePrivate MedicalFCA-regulated

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Category

Health & Insurance

Health & Insurance

Best for

5-5,000 employees

5-50,000+ employees

Pricing model

Per employee / month

Per employee / month

UK presence

Since 1901

Since 1947

Regulator

FCA-authorised

FCA-authorised

Strapline

WPA is a UK private medical insurance specialist, particularly strong for SMEs wanting flexible tier design and member-focused service. Mutual structure means surpluses fund product improvements, not shareholders.

The UK's largest private medical insurance provider. Bupa offers comprehensive corporate health cover with broad consultant networks and a strong GP service, used by employers from 5 to 50,000+ employees.

What's included

Tiered PMI. NHS-Plus, Premier, and Elite tier options with flexible scheme design across employee bands.
Healthcare On The Go. Virtual GP service with same-day appointments, included on most corporate plans.
Cash plan add-ons. Dental, optical, and therapy benefits available as bolt-ons to the core PMI scheme.
Personal account manager. A named account manager for every employer scheme, rare in the wider PMI market.

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.

Who it's for

Not stated

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.

Pricing approach

Not stated

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.

At a glance

FCA authorised
Not-for-profit mutual
Founded 1901, Bristol
SME focus
Available direct or broker
High retention rates

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

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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.