Health Cash Plan Explained for Individuals and Businesses

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A health cash plan is a type of insurance that reimburses you for everyday healthcare expenses, such as doctor visits and prescriptions.

These plans typically cover a range of services, including dental care, optical care, and physiotherapy.

Individuals can purchase health cash plans directly from providers, often at a lower cost than traditional health insurance.

Businesses can also offer health cash plans to their employees as a benefit, which can help attract and retain top talent.

By providing a financial safety net for healthcare expenses, health cash plans can help individuals and businesses manage their budgets and reduce financial stress.

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What Is?

A health cash plan is a scheme where employees pay a monthly fee for access to routine medical services, and when used to its full extent, can receive access to services that largely surpass their monthly payment.

You can pay as little as £15 per month, and with a corporate health cash plan, your employer can even cover this monthly payment, creating a win-win scenario.

For more insights, see: Monthly Premium for Health Insurance

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The monthly payment is usually reimbursed, which means you get to keep your hard-earned cash while still having access to medical services.

For example, a regular dental check-up might cost £50, but with a health cash plan, you might be able to get it for a fraction of the cost.

How It Works

You pay a monthly premium to become entitled to claim back expenses on health treatments up to a set limit.

These limits reset over a specific period, allowing you to manage and plan your healthcare effectively. This means you can budget and prepare for your healthcare costs in advance.

You receive treatment, pay as usual, and then claim back the costs from your cash plan provider. This is a straightforward process that makes managing your healthcare expenses more manageable.

The benefits are usually reset over a specific period, allowing you to plan your healthcare costs accordingly. For example, if you have a £100 dental benefit, you can claim back up to that amount within a certain timeframe.

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You can claim back the whole cost of certain treatments, such as dental check-ups and eye tests, if you have the relevant benefit level. This can be a significant saving, as demonstrated by Jo in the example, who claimed back £96.50 out of her £100 dental benefit.

You can also claim back expenses for therapies, such as osteopathic treatments, up to a set limit. For instance, Jo claimed back £150 of the cost from her Benenden Health Cash Plan therapies benefit after consulting an osteopath.

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Premiums and Claims

Policy holders pay a fixed monthly fee, which grants them access to a predefined limit of cashback on various healthcare services.

These services often include dental care, optical treatments, and complementary therapies.

The average employer-paid health cash plan falls around the £100 mark per year, according to EmployeeBenefits.co.uk.

You can choose from five levels of cover to best suit your needs, whether that’s for you as an individual or for you and your family.

Trips to the dentist, optician and therapy appointments don’t come cheap, making it hard to manage routine healthcare costs.

The Benenden Health Cash Plan is an affordable way to manage these costs, with a fixed monthly fee that grants access to a predefined limit of cashback.

Flexibility and Accessibility

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Having a health cash plan can be a game-changer for your financial security and peace of mind.

One of the key benefits of a health cash plan is flexibility - plans are designed to cater to various benefits you may need in the future.

This means you can choose a plan that suits your needs, whether it's outpatient cover, counselling cover, or cover for optical, dental, and hearing.

With a health cash plan, you can rest assured that you'll have access to a range of benefits under one plan, making it easier to manage your healthcare costs.

This flexibility is especially important if you have ongoing medical expenses or need to see specialists regularly.

For example, WHA Healthcare offers a range of benefits under one healthcare plan, making it easier to stay on top of your healthcare costs.

By having a health cash plan, you can budget for your healthcare expenses and avoid unexpected medical bills.

This can be a huge relief, especially if you're on a tight budget or have a family to support.

Overall, a health cash plan can provide you with the flexibility and accessibility you need to manage your healthcare costs and stay financially secure.

Benefits and Features

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A health cash plan is a fantastic way to take control of your healthcare expenses. You can expect to cover a wide range of treatments and services, including optical and dental care, physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic services, and even specialist consultations and alternative therapies.

With a health cash plan, you can claim back expenses for treatments, reducing your out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Plans are available for individuals and partners, with rates starting from £7.00 per person, per month.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect from a health cash plan:

  • Mental health support
  • Prescriptions via the NHS
  • Dietary advice and support
  • Maternity payments
  • Hearing tests
  • Health screenings

Businesses can also offer health cash plans to their employees, which can be a great way to enhance employee benefits packages and improve productivity. These plans can cover everyday health costs, helping to reduce employee stress and increase job satisfaction.

WHA Healthcare offers corporate plans tailored to support the health of your workforce, with plans starting from just £7.00 a month.

Broaden your view: Employee Dental Insurance

For Individuals and Businesses

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Health cash plans offer a safety net that covers everyday healthcare needs, whether it's a routine check-up or a more serious condition.

Having a health cash plan can be a huge relief for individuals, as it mitigates the worry of unexpected medical bills. This allows people to focus on their health and wellbeing, rather than financial stress.

Implementing a health cash plan as part of an employee benefits scheme can lead to a healthier, more engaged workforce, with reduced sick days, higher job satisfaction, and lower healthcare costs.

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For Individuals and Businesses

Health cash plans can be a lifesaver for unexpected medical bills, putting healthcare within financial reach and encouraging proactive health management.

Regular dental check-ups and early interventions for physical or mental health issues are just a few examples of how health cash plans can benefit individuals.

Whether it's a routine check-up or a more serious condition, health cash plans offer a safety net that covers everyday healthcare needs.

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Implementing a health cash plan as part of an employee benefits scheme can lead to a healthier, more engaged workforce, with reduced sick days, higher job satisfaction, and lower healthcare costs.

A corporate health cash plan can help your team stay healthy and productive, with benefits that include reduced absenteeism and improved overall well-being.

Here are some key benefits of a corporate health cash plan:

  • Reduced sick days
  • Higher job satisfaction
  • Lower healthcare costs

By investing in your employee wellbeing benefits, you can create a healthier, more engaged workforce that benefits both your team and your business.

Do I Need Employees?

If you're considering offering health cash plans to your employees, you might be wondering if you really need to. The truth is, every business is different, and what works for one company might not work for another.

A health cash plan can be an ideal solution if you're looking to offer limited routine medical support, covering services like eyecare, dental care, physio, and more.

However, the question remains, are health cash plans truly delivering what employees want in the modern workplace?

Corporate Benefits

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Offering a health cash plan can be an effective way to enhance employee benefits packages. This can help attract top talent and improve employee health and wellbeing.

Investing in your employee wellbeing benefits is a serious matter, and it's worth noting that health cash plans can be an attractive option for those who need it most, especially during times of economic uncertainty in Britain.

Business health plans can make it more accessible for employees on lower incomes to claim for services like dental exams and eyecare, which can be costly and hard to plan for.

A health cash plan can be a win-win scenario for both the employer and employees, as it doesn't break the bank for the employer and helps employees afford basic medical services.

Many people do not use the service, either because they can afford these services or forget they exist, which helps keep the cost of cash plans low.

Offering a health cash plan can demonstrate a commitment to employee wellbeing, contributing positively to the overall productivity and morale of the team.

Key Information

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Health cash plans are a straightforward way to manage healthcare expenses, alleviating financial stress and encouraging a healthier approach to wellness. They offer a simple solution for individuals and businesses to budget for medical costs.

These plans incentivize subscribers to take an active role in managing their health, providing peace of mind and financial support. This proactive approach can lead to better health outcomes and a more positive corporate culture.

For individuals, health cash plans offer financial support and peace of mind, while for businesses, they contribute to a positive corporate culture, higher productivity, and financial savings.

Key Takeaways

Health cash plans offer a simple way to manage healthcare expenses, alleviating financial stress and encouraging a healthier approach to wellness.

These plans incentivize subscribers to take an active role in managing their health, providing peace of mind and financial support.

For individuals, health cash plans mean having more control over their healthcare costs, reducing anxiety and uncertainty.

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By offering financial support, health cash plans enable subscribers to prioritize their health and wellbeing without breaking the bank.

Companies can also benefit from health cash plans, contributing to a positive corporate culture, higher productivity, and financial savings.

Here are some key advantages of health cash plans for businesses:

  • Positive corporate culture
  • Higher productivity
  • Financial savings

Important Policy Information

Your Benenden Health Cash Plan is administered by BHSF Limited, a change that took effect on July 1st, 2017. This means that your plan will be handled by a new company.

The Legacy, 17-65, and 66 plus plans have been renamed to Red, Amber, and Green, respectively. Here's a brief summary of each plan:

Before applying for your Benenden Health Cash Plan, make sure you've read about the plan and its details.

Choosing a Health Cash Plan

You can choose from 5 levels of cover to suit your needs, with monthly payments ranging from £11.32 to £127.89.

The benefits of a health cash plan include 100% money back on dental, optical, and therapies, with a 13-week qualifying period.

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You can claim online or by post, and money will be paid directly into your bank account usually within a few working days after receiving your claim.

There's no upper age limit, and no medicals are required when you join. You can choose cover for an individual or for you and your family.

All dependent children are covered for free on a family policy, with one shared annual limit for all children on the policy.

Here are the maximum benefits for each level of cover:

Benenden Health Cash Plan is a member-exclusive product, and you'll need to have Benenden Health membership to purchase it.

Claiming and Support

Policy holders pay a fixed monthly fee, which grants them access to a predefined limit of cashback on various healthcare services, including dental care, optical treatments, and complementary therapies.

Claiming is a straightforward process, with a clear limit on the cashback you can receive. This can be a relief for those who worry about unexpected medical expenses.

However, it's worth noting that claims aren't always a priority for providers, and this can lead to a lack of support from the health cash plan provider.

How to Claim

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To claim, you'll need to gather all required documents and information, including your identification, proof of income, and any other relevant paperwork as mentioned in the "Required Documents" section.

Start by checking your eligibility, as outlined in the "Eligibility Criteria" section, to ensure you meet the necessary requirements.

Make sure to submit your claim within the specified timeframe, as delayed submissions may affect your entitlement, according to the "Timeframe for Submission" section.

Keep a record of your claim, including the date and time of submission, as this information will be useful for tracking your progress, as mentioned in the "Tracking Your Claim" section.

If you're unsure about any part of the process, don't hesitate to reach out to the support team, who can be contacted through the contact details listed in the "Support Contact Information" section.

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Account Management & Team Support

Account management is crucial for a smooth experience with a health cash plan provider. Proper account management can increase utilisation of the platform.

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A corporate health cash plan can be an affordable option, but the basic package costs £100 per year, per employee. This can add up to £2,500+ annually for a company.

Without proper account management, a company may not receive the best possible experience with the health cash plan provider. This can lead to wasted money and unfulfilled expectations.

Heka takes account management seriously, which helps drive engagement and ensures customers get the most out of their experience.

For another approach, see: Bcbs Utilization Management

About Benenden

Benenden Health Cash Plan is a member-exclusive product that can only be purchased if you have Benenden Health membership. This means you'll need to be a part of the Benenden Health community to take advantage of their cash plan.

Benenden offers 5 levels of cover to suit your needs, ranging from £11.32 to £127.89 per month. This makes it a simple and affordable way to spread the cost of your routine healthcare.

One of the standout features of Benenden Health Cash Plan is the 100% money back guarantee on dental, optical, and therapies claims. After a 13-week qualifying period, you can claim 100% money back on combined therapies like physiotherapy, osteopathy, and acupuncture, up to the combined maximum benefits of your chosen level of cover.

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Benenden Health Cash Plan has no upper age limit, meaning you can join regardless of your age. You can also choose cover for an individual or for you and your family.

Here are the different types of cover available:

  • Optical up to £250
  • Dental up to £250
  • Therapies up to £350
  • Hospital stays up to £50 per night / £40 per day
  • Chiropody up to £250
  • Plus much more

All dependent children are covered for free on a family policy, and payments are made directly into your bank account, usually within a few working days after receiving your claim.

Potential Drawbacks

Some health cash plans may not cover pre-existing medical conditions, which could leave you with significant out-of-pocket expenses if you have an existing health issue.

You should carefully review the policy terms to understand what is and isn't covered.

Additionally, health cash plans may not provide the same level of comprehensive coverage as private health insurance, which could leave you with gaps in your protection.

Corporate Drawbacks

Some corporate health cash plans may not provide adequate coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

The cons of a corporate health cash plan can be a major drawback, especially if you have ongoing health issues.

A corporate health cash plan may not offer coverage for certain medical procedures or treatments, such as dental care or alternative therapies.

Providers Are Praying You Don't Use

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Providers are praying you don't use the health cash plan to its full potential, because if everyone did, the business model wouldn't survive.

The expenses behind health cash plans are lucrative for providers, but affordable for businesses. This means they rely on a degree of underutilisation to stay profitable.

Cash plan providers employ actuaries and refer to reimbursements as "claims", showing that they're essentially insurance products with low claim limits.

If every employee with a health cash plan used it to its full potential, cash plans probably wouldn't survive more than a couple of months.

Providers are worried that if employees start claiming more, it would decrease the profitability of their account, and they might even act maliciously to make it harder for employees to get reimbursements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay cash instead of using my health insurance?

Yes, you can pay cash instead of using your health insurance, potentially saving hundreds or thousands of dollars. However, it's essential to weigh the benefits and consider your individual circumstances before making a decision.

What is the health cash plan at YSJ?

YSJ's Health Cash Plan offers eligible staff discounted healthcare services, including dental and optician appointments, after a 6-month qualifying period

Angie Ernser

Senior Writer

Angie Ernser is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in financial markets. Her expertise lies in municipal bond investments, where she provides clear and insightful analysis to help readers understand the complexities of municipal bond markets. Ernser's articles are known for their clarity and practical advice, making them a valuable resource for both novice and experienced investors.

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