Can I keep private healthcare after leaving my job? 

If you are leaving your job, one of the biggest benefits you may be worried about losing is your private healthcare cover. Many employees only realise how valuable individual private medical insurance is when they are about to leave a company.

In many cases, the answer is yes — but it depends on your employer’s scheme and the insurer’s rules. If your private medical insurance is part of your employee benefits package, it will usually stop when your employment ends. However, some insurers allow people leaving a group scheme to continue cover individually.

Usually, yes. If your private medical insurance is provided by your employer, it normally ends when you leave the company, unless the scheme allows continuation.

This applies whether you are:

• resigning
• being made redundant
• retiring
• finishing a fixed-term contract
• moving to a new employer.

The important point is that employer-sponsored private healthcare is usually linked to your employment, not just to you personally.

Often there is. Some group schemes include a leaver option, which may allow you to take out an individual policy and continue private medical insurance after leaving employment.

This can be a useful solution if you want to:

• keep access to private treatment
• continue care without interruption
• avoid starting over with a new policy
• preserve an existing relationship with the insurer.

Whether you can continue will depend on factors such as scheme design, insurer rules, and timing.

People often want to keep private healthcare because it gives them confidence and access to faster treatment.

Some of the main benefits include:

• quicker specialist appointments
• access to private diagnostics
• treatment without long NHS waiting times
• continuity for existing health concerns
• peace of mind during a career transition.

If you are leaving a job, especially after several years with the same employer, losing this benefit can feel like a big change. That is why it is sensible to review your options before your cover ends.

Before your final working day, make sure you understand exactly what happens to your private healthcare.

If your new employer offers private medical insurance, you may be able to join their scheme instead. However, there may be a waiting period, and the cover may not be identical to your current plan.

That means you could be left with a gap between leaving one job and starting the next. If that matters to you, a leaver option may be worth exploring.

When it comes to private healthcare after leaving a job, timing is critical. If you miss the opportunity to continue your policy, you may need to apply for a completely new one later — and that could mean new terms, new exclusions, or a different level of cover.

That is why it is best to review your options before your employment ends, not after.

company plan – we can help by:

• explaining whether continuation is available
• guiding you through the next steps
• helping you avoid a break in cover
• making the transition from group to individual cover simpler.

Speaking to a specialist as soon as possible can help you avoid a gap in cover.

Call us: 0800 011 3136 ^{(phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM)}
Email us: personalhealthcare@marsh.com

^{Please be aware that all providers have time limits to continue cover, and some may have restrictions. Your options will depend on your personal circumstances and the insurer’s requirements. You may be asked medical questions, and some exclusions may apply.}

^{Marsh Health and Benefits is a trading name used by Mercer Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 121935). Mercer Limited is registered in England and Wales (Registration Number 984275). Registered Office: 1 Tower Place West, Tower Place, London, EC3R 5BU. © 2026 Marsh. All rights reserved.}