Health Cash Plans

A Health Cash Plan can help you maintain your health by keeping up with those regular health checks. Let's face it, whether it’s going to the gym, trying the latest diet craze or just laying off that extra glass of wine, these days most of us do try to look after ourselves in some way, however small.

Maintaining your health can be an expensive business though.  Trips to the dentist, optician, chiropodist or physiotherapist all come at a price and in some cases that can be quite high!

A Health Cash Plan is designed to help pay towards these everyday healthcare costs regardless of whether the treatment is private or through the NHS; a check up, or an emergency.  Quite simply you have the treatment, pay for it as normal, send the claim form and receipt to the plan provider and they will send you a cheque.  

What’s the catch we hear you say?  The strange thing is there is no catch.  Well you do need to remember to keep receipts and send in the claim form but that’s it! In fact, depending on the level of cover you choose, you could redeem the annual cost of the Health Cash Plan with just one trip to the dentist.

Now that’s food for thought isn’t it!

How do Health Cash Plans Work?

The health cash plan is pretty straightforward and affordable with premiums ranging from just over £5 to around £36 per month.
Depending on the Health Cash Plan you choose, a percentage or in some cases the full cost of the treatment is reimbursed up to an agreed amount. 

The treatments covered in the plan may vary slightly but will typically include:

• Dental
• Optical  
• Physiotherapy
• Osteopathy
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic
• Chiropody
• Homeopathy
• Podiatry 

There may also be cover for maternity, surgery and consultation fees.

Most Health Cash Plans pay between 75% and 100% of the costs and have a maximum annual limit for each treatment that will depend on the level of cover you choose.  Basically the more you pay, the more you get back.  

For example:
"The plan you choose pays 100% of dental costs with an annual limit of £90. You go to the dentist for a check up, x-ray and polish which costs £70. You send the receipt and the claim form to the plan provider and they send you a cheque for £70. So you’re trip to the dentist hasn’t cost you anything and you still have another £20 to spend on future treatments (within that year)".

Oh and it’s worth shopping around and taking time to compare Health Cash Plans because some also include free cover for children.

So if you have regular trips to the dentist or optician, or just want some reassurance that you have help towards medical costs should you need it, this may be the plan for you.

Alternatively if you are just looking to cover the cost of dental treatment, take a look at our dental insurance section.

Are they worth it?

This boils down to whether you think you will use it?  Do you regularly go to the dentist or optician or do you receive any of the treatments we have mentioned?  If yes then it is probably worth you considering this type of plan. After all one treatment and the Health Cash Plan could pay for itself.

To help you make up your mind, here is a few things to consider:

• The plan lets you reclaim some or all of the costs of everyday medical treatment up to an agreed limit
• It is useful for day to day healthcare costs as well as unexpected ones  
• You don’t need to be ill to use it as it covers routine check ups
• If you take regular trips to the dentist or optician you are likely to use this plan – as long as you remember to send in a claim form with your receipts
• You don’t need a medical to apply 
• You may not be able to claim for certain things for the first few months
• Claims for pre-existing conditions may be limited (this is not usually the case for dental or optical treatment though)
• It is suitable for NHS and private patients
• Children may be covered for free

Compare Health Cash Plans gives you the opportunity to get a quote from our Health Cash Plan providers.  It will only take a few minutes and you can see what is included in the different levels of cover and how much they cost.

If you have a larger budget and are looking for a more comprehensive healthcare plan, then our guide on how to compare family health insurance will help.

Compare Health Cash Plans

We know that making a decision like buying a Health Cash Plan is not easy.  We have teamed up with Hannah Insurance Services who can guide and advise you on the best plan for you.

The information below gives you a brief overview of each provider.  To see what each has to offer, simply click on the name, answer a few questions to compare plans and choose the plan you prefer.  

Westfield Health - Westfield Heath was established in 1919 and is one of the UK’s leading health insurance providers.  Their ‘Good4You Health Cash Plan’ and has 5 different cover levels to choose from ranging from £5.35 to £34.00 a month.  The plan pays between 75% and 100% of costs up to a set limit and includes some cover for your partner and children for free.

Bupa - Bupa is a leading international healthcare provider.  Their ‘Health Cash Back’ plan has 3 different cover levels to choose from ranging from £6.50 to £19.50 a month for individual cover.  The plan pays between 75% and 100% of costs up to a set limit and cover designed for couples, families and single parent families is also available.

Simplyhealth - Simplyhealth is the Uk’s biggest cash plan provider.  Their ‘Simply Cash Plan’ has 4 different cover levels to choose from ranging from £10.85 to £32.50 a month.  The plan pays between 75% and 100% of costs up to a set limit and up to 4 children are covered for free.

Health Cash Plans vs Medical Insurance?

Health Cash Plans are not the same as Health Insurance Plans or Private Medical Insurance (PMI) as they are also known.  Private Health Insurance is designed to pay some or all of the costs of being treated privately.  It gives you quick access to specialist consultation and treatment and the use of private hospitals.

A Health Cash Plan lets you reclaim some of the costs of everyday treatments such as visits to the dentist, optician or physiotherapist. The cover is limited compared to Health Insurance but the monthly payments do tend to be lower.

For more information on Health Insurance, take a look at our Health Insurance Guide. Alternatively Comparing Health Cash Plans gives you the opportunity to get a quote from our Health Cash Plan providers so you can see for yourself the different cover and price options.