Top 6 Health Cash Plans for Small Businesses: 2025 Expert Review
Health cash plans are becoming essential for UK businesses looking to support employee wellbeing without the hefty price tag of private medical insurance. With 1 in 10 people in the UK skipping medication due to cost and businesses losing thousands annually to health-related absences, these plans offer a practical solution that employees actually use and value.
Why Health Cash Plans Matter for Your Business
Cost-Effective Support: Starting from just £1.10 per employee per month, health cash plans provide meaningful healthcare benefits without breaking your budget.
High Utilisation: Unlike many employee benefits that sit unused, health cash plans typically see 70-80% of employees making at least one claim annually.
Reduced Absenteeism: Companies report 12-30% reductions in sick days after implementing health cash plans through early intervention and preventative care.
Employee Appreciation: Cash back on everyday health expenses creates tangible value that employees recognise and appreciate.
Top 6 Health Cash Plan Providers: Expert Analysis
Based on our comprehensive review of the UK's leading health cash plan providers, here are the top solutions transforming workplace healthcare:
1. Westfield Health
What it offers: Westfield Health provides health cash plans and wellbeing programs designed to help employers support their workforce's physical and mental health through everyday health cost reimbursement.
Key Features:
- Health Cash Plan: Reimburses employees for dental, optical, therapy treatments, and more
- Mental Health Support: 24/7 helplines and counseling services access
- Virtual GP Service: Unlimited GP consultations via phone or video
- Hospital Support: Financial benefits for hospital stays and treatments
- Wellbeing Personal Assistant: Personalised support for life challenges
Pricing: From £6.52 per employee per month
Best For: Small to medium businesses seeking exceptional value with not-for-profit credentials.
Why Choose Westfield: Founded in 1919, Westfield serves over 8,000 organisations with consistently high customer service ratings (4.4 on Trustpilot, 4.8 on Feefo). Their not-for-profit status means better value as surplus funds are reinvested into improving services.
2. Health Shield
What it offers: Health Shield provides health cash plans that reimburse employees for everyday healthcare costs, focusing on preventative care and everyday health expenses with flexible benefit allocation.
Key Features:
- Health Cash Plan Reimbursement: Tax-free cash back on everyday health expenses
- Online and Mobile Claiming: Streamlined claims process taking less than a minute
- Employee Assistance Program: 24/7 counseling and emotional support services
- Health Screening: Regular assessments to identify potential health issues early
- Virtual GP Services: Unlimited video consultations with UK-registered GPs
Pricing: Not listed, contact for more information.
Best For: UK-based SMEs seeking affordable yet valued employee health benefits with flexible spending options.
Why Choose Health Shield: Founded in 1877 as a Friendly Society, Health Shield serves over 330,000 members with exceptional customer service (4.5/5 on Trustpilot) and fast claims processing (typically 2-3 working days).
3. Medicash
What it offers: Medicash is a health cash plan provider helping employers offer everyday healthcare benefits through modern digital tools and rapid claims processing.
Key Features:
- Digital mia App: Paperless claims submission and virtual GP consultations
- Health Screenings: Various levels of health assessments from basic to comprehensive
- Mental Health Support: Access to counselling services and wellbeing resources
- Medicash Extras: Exclusive discounts on gym memberships, holidays, and retail
- Tailored Plan Design: Customisable coverage levels and benefit structures
Pricing: From £4.65 per employee per month
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses wanting digital-first solutions with minimal administrative burden.
Why Choose Medicash: Founded in 1871, Medicash serves over 300,000 policyholders across 2,000+ corporate clients including Timpson, Superdrug, and Matalan. Their app offers an impressive digital experience with claims typically processed within 48 hours.
4. SimplyHealth
What it offers: SimplyHealth is a UK-based provider of health cash plans focusing on everyday healthcare costs like dental checkups, eye tests, physiotherapy, and virtual GP services.
Key Features:
- 24/7 Virtual GP Service: Unlimited access to qualified GPs via video consultation
- Digital Claims Process: Simple photo evidence submission with 24-48 hour reimbursement
- Online Health Assessment: Comprehensive health questionnaires with personalised recommendations
- myWellbeing Portal: Centralised hub for health information and mental health support
- Cashback on Everyday Health: Reimbursement for dental, optical, physiotherapy, and therapies
Pricing: Not listed, contact for more information.
Best For: Small to medium-sized UK businesses looking for practical, everyday health benefits with minimal administrative burden.
Why Choose SimplyHealth: Founded in 1872, SimplyHealth serves over 2.3 million customers as a not-for-profit organisation. Their Level 2 plan hits the sweet spot for most organisations, with 70-80% employee utilisation rates proving genuine value.
5. BHSF
What it offers: BHSF (Birmingham Hospital Saturday Fund) is a not-for-profit healthcare provider specialising in comprehensive wellbeing solutions combining traditional benefits with innovative digital platforms.
Key Features:
- Connect Platform: Centralises all wellbeing services in a single web and mobile portal
- Healthcare Cash Plans: Reimburses everyday healthcare costs with quick 48-72 hour processing
- 24/7 Mental Health Support: Round-the-clock access to qualified counselors
- Occupational Health Services: Health assessments, absence management, and return-to-work support
- Financial Wellbeing Tools: Financial education, debt counselling, and money management resources
Pricing: From £5.50 per employee per month
Best For: SMEs and mid-sized UK businesses seeking comprehensive employee wellbeing solutions combining traditional and digital approaches.
Why Choose BHSF: Founded in 1873, BHSF serves over 400,000 customers across 3,000+ businesses including Biffa, Serco, and Zurich Insurance. Their not-for-profit status and modular approach mean you only pay for services you need.
6. Benenden Health
What it offers: Benenden Health is a not-for-profit healthcare provider offering an affordable alternative to traditional private medical insurance through a membership model rather than insurance policy.
Key Features:
- 24/7 GP Helpline: Unlimited access to qualified GPs via phone consultations
- Mental Health Support: Dedicated helpline staffed by qualified therapists and mental health nurses
- Fast-Track Diagnosis: Accelerated access to diagnostic consultations and tests
- Treatment & Surgery: Access to treatment for non-urgent conditions (covers 250+ procedures)
- Physiotherapy & Recovery: Quick access to physiotherapy services for musculoskeletal issues
Pricing: £15.50 per employee per month.
Best For: Small to medium-sized UK businesses wanting comprehensive healthcare benefits with simple, predictable costs.
Why Choose Benenden: Founded in 1905, Benenden serves over 800,000 members as a mutual society. Unlike insurance, there are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions and no claims process—just a flat monthly fee with no price increases based on usage.
Quick Comparison Table
| Provider | Starting Cost | Best Feature | Digital Experience | Mental Health Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westfield Health | £6.53/month | Exceptional value | Basic | Included |
| Health Shield | Unlisted | Fast claims processing | Functional | EAP included |
| Medicash | £4.65/month | Digital-first experience | Excellent | Included |
| SimplyHealth | Unlisted | Comprehensive coverage | Good | Basic support |
| BHSF | £5.50/month | Holistic wellbeing | Moderate | 24/7 support |
| Benenden Health | £15.50/month | No exclusions/claims | Limited | Dedicated helpline |
Choosing the Right Provider for Your Business
For Very Small Businesses (Under 25 employees)
Recommended: Westfield Health for exceptional value or Health Shield for preventative care focus. Both offer the lowest entry costs with meaningful benefits.
For Small to Medium Businesses (25-100 employees)
Recommended: Medicash for digital-first experience or BHSF for comprehensive wellbeing. Both provide excellent balance of features and value.
For Businesses Prioritizing Mental Health
Recommended: BHSF for 24/7 mental health support or Benenden Health for dedicated mental health helplines.
For Businesses Wanting Comprehensive Coverage
Recommended: Benenden Health for treatment and surgery coverage or SimplyHealth for extensive everyday health benefits.
For Technology-Forward Companies
Recommended: Medicash for their impressive mia app or SimplyHealth for robust digital claims processing.
Implementation and ROI Considerations
Typical Implementation Timeline: 2-4 weeks across all providers, with minimal IT requirements for most solutions.
Expected ROI Metrics:
- 12-30% reduction in sick days (reported across multiple providers)
- 70-80% employee utilisation rates (proving genuine value)
- Significant reduction in time off for medical appointments
- Improved employee satisfaction and retention
- Enhanced recruitment appeal (87% of employees value health benefits when considering jobs)
Key Success Factors:
- Clear communication about benefits and how to use them
- Simple claims processes that encourage utilization
- Regular monitoring of usage and satisfaction metrics
- Integration with existing employee communication channels
Tax Implications and Considerations
Important Tax Information:
- Health cash plans are treated as Benefit in Kind by HMRC
- Employers pay Class 1A National Insurance contributions on the benefit value
- Employees may face additional income tax on the benefit
- Premiums can often be deducted against corporation tax
- Consult HMRC or tax professionals for specific guidance
Health cash plans represent one of the most cost-effective ways to enhance your employee benefits package while demonstrating genuine care for your workforce's wellbeing. With starting costs as low as £1.10 per employee per month, these plans provide tangible, immediate value that employees use and appreciate.
The key is choosing a provider that matches your organisation's priorities, whether that's exceptional value (Westfield Health), digital innovation (Medicash), comprehensive coverage (SimplyHealth or Benenden Health), holistic wellbeing (BHSF), or preventative care focus (Health Shield).
Unlike many employee benefits that sit unused, health cash plans consistently deliver high utilization rates and measurable ROI through reduced absenteeism and improved employee satisfaction. For UK businesses serious about supporting their workforce's health and wellbeing while controlling costs, implementing a health cash plan is one of the smartest investments you can make.
Whether you're a startup looking to attract talent or an established business wanting to reduce health-related absences, there's a health cash plan solution that fits your needs and budget. The question isn't whether you can afford to offer these benefits—it's whether you can afford not to.
This comparison is based on expert analysis and client feedback as of May 2025. Pricing and features may vary based on organisation size and specific requirements. Contact providers directly for detailed quotes and implementation guidance.