Bupa offers free health checks to new customers

Bupa is offering free mini health checks to its new health insurance customers, to encourage early detection and support early intervention of potential medical issues. The offer is available to individuals and couples who take out a Bupa By You policy between 4 August and 30 September 2025, either direct or through a broker.

Customers switching from another health insurer on a full underwriting or moratorium basis will also be eligible for the free health check. Eligible customers will have until 31 March 2026 to use their health check.

How the mini health check works

Bupa Health Clinics will deliver the health checks, which include a blood test covering a range of key health markers, such as lipid profile, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), kidney, liver, and thyroid function. Customers can choose to attend a clinic or use a remote home testing kit if they prefer. The tests are designed to give a general overview of internal health and flag potential issues such as the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease before symptoms arise.

If any abnormalities are found customers will be offered a 15-minute consultation with a Bupa clinician to discuss next steps. Importantly, the results of Bupa’s mini health check will not affect a customer’s underwriting. Bupa confirmed to us that: “Any new symptoms or conditions that crop up from the health check will be covered under the terms of the customer’s chosen policy, depending on the cover they have.”

Reducing health worries through knowledge

Bupa’s preventative health initiative comes amid what appears to be an “awareness gap”, where people are anxious about health risks, but lack the basic information needed to take action.

According to a survey by Bupa Health Clinics in January 2025, 85% of UK Adults worry about their health regularly, but only around half know their current weight, and over three-quarters are unaware of their blood pressure. Just 15% said they know their resting heart rate.

Dr John Field, Associate Clinical Director at Bupa Health Clinics, said: “Many people simply don’t know the vital facts about their health until something goes wrong. By offering free mini health checks, Bupa is helping new customers get an early, clear and evidence-based understanding of their health so they can stay well or take preventative action if needed.”

More emphasis on prevention

Bupa’s move reflects a greater focus among some health insurers in recent years on prevention rather than just treatment. In November 2023, The Exeter introduced an annual health MOT for its health insurance customers, which uses a pin-prick blood test to check for 20 different markers to spot any early problems. Similarly, AXA’s latest health insurance product, the AXA Health Plan, offers policyholders aged 18 to 79 an annual diabetes and cholesterol blood assessment. Taking a slightly different approach, Vitality provides its members with a heavily discounted or free annual health assessment, depending on their age and health profile.

While the NHS continues to offer free health checks to adults aged 40 to 74, they aren’t available to those with certain pre-existing medical conditions and its uptake remains lower than hoped. It means additional support is needed to address the gap in preventative services for those under 40 or outside the NHS criteria.

What our health insurance expert says:

"The free mini health checks are a great new addition to Bupa’s health insurance product, which was already our top rated private medical insurance product in 2025. It’s encouraging to see insurers looking to make preventative health a more integral part of their products. If insurers can help their customers stay well for longer, it's good for them and makes sound business sense too"

Chris Steele

Cert CII (F1, IF7 & I10), Founder and Insurance Expert