Best Health Cash Plans UK (2026): Full Comparison for Employers
A health cash plan is an employee benefit that reimburses everyday healthcare costs - dental, optical, physio, prescriptions - up to set annual limits, for a fixed premium starting from around £3 per employee per month in 2026. The UK corporate market is dominated by five providers — Simplyhealth, Westfield Health, Medicash, Health Shield and BHSF, which together hold over 80% of it. This guide compares them side by side: prices, cover, and which fits your business.
One thing before we start: Perkwise is an independent benefits comparison platform. No provider pays to appear in this guide or to rank on our health cash plans category.
UK health cash plan comparison
| Provider | Entry price (per employee/month) | Known for | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simplyhealth | From ~£3 | UK's biggest brand; broad tiers; digital GP access | SMEs wanting a recognised name at entry prices |
| Westfield Health | From ~£5.50 | Corporate heritage since 1919; hospital treatment bolt-ons | Small businesses wanting deeper cover |
| Medicash | From ~£5 | Flexible corporate plans; well-reviewed claims app | Companies prioritising claims ease |
| Health Shield | Tailored schemes; wellbeing extras | Mid-size employers wanting customisation | |
| BHSF | Not-for-profit; occupational health integration | Employers linking benefits to OH |
What does a health cash plan cover?
Typical categories: dental check-ups and treatment, eye tests and glasses, physiotherapy, health screening, 24/7 digital GP, and mental health support such as counselling and EAP access. Employees claim by photographing receipts in the provider's app; reimbursement typically lands within days.
Unlike private medical insurance, a cash plan isn't designed for major treatment — it makes routine health spending free or nearly free. That's why usage rates are so much higher than PMI: almost everyone gets an eye test or dental check-up each year.
Health cash plan vs private medical insurance: which should you choose?
Choose a health cash plan when budget is £3-10 per employee/month, your team is younger or claims rarely, and you want a benefit everyone actually uses.
Choose group PMI when fast access to private treatment matters, you're competing for senior talent, and budget supports £40-100+ per employee/month.
Many businesses run both — cash plan for everyone, PMI for leadership. The cash plan costs roughly a coffee per person per week.
Full breakdown: Health cash plans vs private medical insurance →
How to choose: four questions from vendor conversations
1. Who is it for? An all-staff benefit → entry tiers (£3-6) do the job. A recruitment differentiator → mid-tiers with digital GP and mental health cover.
2. What will your team actually claim? Office teams claim optical heavily; manual workforces claim physio. Match the plan's strongest limits to real usage — ask your team before you buy.
3. What are the contract terms? Minimum term, rate guarantees beyond year one, minimum headcount.
4. How painless is claiming? App-based photo claims are now standard from major providers. Clunky claiming depresses usage — and an unused benefit is wasted spend.
What does a health cash plan cost a business?
For a 25-person team at entry tier: roughly £75-150 per month total. Premiums are fixed per tier — costs don't rise when employees claim. Price moves with cover tier, headcount (corporate discounts typically from ~10 employees), dependent add-ons, and bolt-ons like hospital treatment cover.
Employer-paid plans are normally a taxable benefit-in-kind (small P11D value given low premiums) [VERIFY current tax treatment with an adviser before publishing].
FAQ
What is the best health cash plan in the UK? There's no single best. Simplyhealth leads on brand and entry price, Westfield Health on corporate cover depth, Medicash on claims experience. The best plan is the one whose strongest limits match what your team actually claims — compare them side by side.
How much does a health cash plan cost per employee in the UK? Entry tiers run £3-6 per employee/month in 2026; richer tiers £10-25. Corporate rates are negotiated on headcount.
Are health cash plans worth it for small businesses? Usually yes — among the cheapest benefits with near-universal usage. Teams claiming eye tests, dental and occasional physio typically receive more value than the premium costs.
What's the difference between a health cash plan and health insurance? Cash plans reimburse routine, predictable costs (dental, optical, physio) up to annual limits. Health insurance covers unpredictable major treatments. They complement rather than replace each other.
Can employees add family members to a health cash plan? Most major providers allow partner and child add-ons, employer-funded or as employee-paid upgrades.
Do employees pay tax on a health cash plan? Employer-paid plans are usually a benefit-in-kind with a small P11D value.
Not sure which fits your team?
Get a free employee benefits review — 30 minutes, independent, no obligation. We'll look at headcount, budget and current benefits, and tell you honestly whether a cash plan, PMI, or neither is your right next move.
By Shaun Meltzer — founder of Perkwise and co-host of the People & Perks podcast, where he interviews benefits vendors across the UK market. Last updated: July 2026.