Private medical insurance

Employees on grade C and above are eligible to apply for private medical insurance with Bupa.

Employees on grade C and above are eligible to apply for privat​e medical insurance with Bupa.

Joining the scheme

Download and complete the application form (DOC, 76.5KB) and email it to HRNotifications@essex.gov.uk. You will be notified when your membership has been set up and Bupa will send you a pack and a membership guide.

2023/24​ membership costs​

There are several levels of cover to choose from. Only family membership will incur a monthly cost to you. However, as health care is a taxable benefit there are tax implications to all levels of cover. Your following year’s tax code will be adjusted to take this taxable benefit value into account.

Under 65

​Level of cover​ Who is covered Taxable benefit value ​ per annum (year) Cost to employee ​
Single ​The employee ​​£1,469.52 ​N/A
Couple ​ ​The employee and their partner £2,939.04 ​N/A
 Family ​The employee, partner and their children £3,673.80 ​£61.23
​Single Parent ​The employee and their​
chi​ldren
​​​​£2,204.28 ​​N/A

Over 65

Level of cover Who is covered Taxable benefit value Cost to employee
​Single ​The employee ​£3,526.84 ​N/A
​Couple ​The employee and their partner ​£7,053.69 ​N/A
​Family ​The employee, partner and their children ​​£7,053.69 ​£0.00
​Single Parent ​The employee and their children ​£7,053.69 ​N/A

There is no limit on how many of your children can be covered by either the single parent family or family cover.

The dependent child age limit with Bupa is 24. Child dependents are removed at the renewal date following their 24th birthday.

Read Bupa's guide (PDF, 327KB)​ for more information on the scheme.

Amending your cover

If you would like to amend your level of cover, please email HRNotifications@essex.gov.uk

Contact Bupa

You can contact Bupa by calling their helpline on 0345 6090444