Group health screening

~3 min read

Category: Health benefits · Reviewed by Simon Temme, Account Executive · Last reviewed 2026-06-10

Group health screening is an employer-sponsored preventive health assessment offered to some or all employees. Standard packages include cardiovascular risk profiling, blood tests (lipid profile, fasting glucose, HbA1c, full blood count, liver and kidney function), BMI, blood pressure, ECG (for senior packages), lifestyle review and personalised follow-up. Providers include Bupa, Nuffield Health and Bluecrest Wellness.

Category: Health benefits Also known as: Corporate health screening, executive medical Typical cost: £150–£500 per employee per screening Related concepts: Occupational health service, Wellbeing benefit, Workplace wellness programme

Definition

Group screening is preventive and diagnostic. It is distinct from occupational health (which is concerned with the fitness of the employee for their work and the workplace’s safety) and from group PMI (which is concerned with the cost of treatment).

Legal / Regulatory basis

Health screening is not insurance and is not regulated as such. Providers handle special category health data under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR; reports are normally provided only to the employee, not the employer. Tax: the cost of an annual health screening (subject to qualifying conditions) is exempt from benefit-in-kind tax under ITEPA 2003 s.320B and the Income Tax (Annual Medical Check-ups) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/1187).

Scope of cover

Standard packages: cardiovascular risk assessment, lifestyle review (15–30 minutes), bloods (full panel), BMI, blood pressure, ECG. Senior/executive packages add: full body MRI, colon and prostate screening, gynaecological screening, cancer risk indicators, and structured one-hour consultations. Some employers offer screening every 2 or 5 years for all employees and annually for executives.

Practical example

An employer offers an annual health check-up to all employees at £180 each. The check-up satisfies the conditions of ITEPA 2003 s.320B (one screening per employee per tax year, generally available, etc.) and is therefore not taxable as a benefit in kind. The employer’s premium is deductible for corporation tax.

See also

References

  1. Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003, s.320B — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/1/section/320B
  2. Income Tax (Annual Medical Check-ups) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/1187) — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/1187
  3. Data Protection Act 2018 — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/12
  4. HMRC, Employment Income Manual, EIM21765 — https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual

This entry is part of the Apex Insurance Wiki. Last reviewed by Matt Bartlett on 2026-06-10. Next review: 2026-12-10.

Apex Insurance Brokers Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 724952. Registered in England and Wales, Companies House 07014570. This entry provides general information about UK insurance concepts and is not regulated advice. Consult your insurance broker on your specific position.

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