Introduction
Health cash plans have become an increasingly vital employee benefit in the UK corporate landscape, offering businesses a cost-effective way to support their employees' wellbeing while managing healthcare costs. This comprehensive guide examines the leading health cash plan providers for companies, comparing their offerings, benefits, and unique features to help you make an informed decision for your organisation. Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, understanding the various options available in corporate health cash plans will enable you to choose the right provider and plan structure for your employees' needs.
What is a Health Cash Plan?
A health cash plan is a low-cost insurance policy that helps employees manage their everyday healthcare expenses by providing reimbursement for various medical treatments and services. Unlike traditional private medical insurance, which typically covers major medical procedures and conditions, health cash plans focus on routine healthcare costs such as:
- Dental treatments and checkups
- Optical care including eye tests and glasses
- Physiotherapy and other complementary therapies
- Prescription costs
- Hospital stays
- Diagnostic tests and scans
These plans operate on a simple principle: employees pay for their healthcare services upfront and then claim back a portion or all of the costs, up to specified annual limits. Many providers now offer digital claim processes, with reimbursements typically processed within 3-5 working days.
Different Types of Health Cash Plans
When considering corporate health cash plans in the UK, organisations have several options to choose from:
Employer-Paid Plans
- Fully funded by the employer
- Usually offered as part of a comprehensive benefits package
- Typically start from £5-7 per employee per month
- Often include additional benefits such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and virtual GP services
- Can be provided to all employees or specific groups within the organization
Employee-Paid (Voluntary) Plans
- Funded entirely by employees through salary deduction
- Often available at discounted corporate rates
- More flexible coverage levels for employees to choose from
- Usually start from £6-10 per month
- Can include family coverage options
Hybrid Plans
- Cost shared between employer and employee
- Employer provides basic coverage with option for employees to upgrade
- Allows for greater flexibility while maintaining core benefits
- Can help manage benefit costs while providing choice
Tailored Corporate Plans
- Customized to specific company needs
- Can be integrated with existing benefits
- Often include wellness programs and preventative care
- May offer unique features for different employee groups
- Usually available for larger organisations
Benenden Health
Benenden Health represents a unique proposition in the corporate health cash plans UK market, combining traditional cash plan benefits with additional healthcare services. Key features include:
Strengths
- Not-for-profit organization with a community-focused approach
- Five levels of cover to suit different budgets
- 100% reimbursement on many routine treatments
- No upper age limit and no medical screening required
- Digital GP services included
- Mental health support services
Coverage Details
- Dental coverage up to £250
- Optical benefits up to £250
- Therapy treatments up to £350
- Hospital stays covered up to £50 per night
- Chiropody benefits up to £250
Notable Features
- Family policies include free coverage for dependent children
- 13-week qualifying period for therapy treatments
- Direct bank account reimbursement
- Online and postal claiming options
- Surplus funds reinvested into member benefits
BHSF
BHSF stands as one of the oldest and most established health cash plan providers for companies, with a heritage dating back to 1873. Their focus on workplace wellbeing and extensive experience in the corporate sector makes them a strong contender for businesses seeking comprehensive coverage.
Key Offerings
- Employer-paid plans from £5.50 per employee monthly
- Employee-funded plans starting at £5.98 monthly
- Flexible upgrade options
- Comprehensive diagnostic coverage including MRI, CT, and PET scans
- 24/7 GP helpline access
Distinctive Features
- Strong focus on preventative healthcare
- Gender-specific health options
- Mental health and menopause support
- Quick claim processing (typically within 24 hours)
- Children covered at no extra cost up to age 18
Additional Benefits
- Prescription cost coverage
- Physiotherapy and complementary therapies
- Hospital day-case surgery coverage
- Private Medical Insurance (PMI) excess cover options
- Employee assistance program
Health Shield
Health Shield has established itself as the second-largest provider in the corporate cash plan sector, offering innovative solutions and comprehensive coverage options. Their approach focuses on making healthcare accessible and affordable for employees while providing valuable support to employers.
Plan Options
- Select Health Cash Plan (pre-packaged solution)
- Tailored Health Cash Plan (customizable benefits)
- Flexible Health Cash Plan (platform-ready solution)
- Corporate Health Cash Plan (comprehensive coverage)
Core Benefits
- Dental and optical coverage
- Combined physiotherapy benefits
- Chiropody services
- Health and wellbeing services
- Virtual GP access
- SkinVision cancer screening app
- 24/7 counseling support
Employer Advantages
- Multiple cover levels to match various budgets
- Simple onboarding process
- Marketing support for employee engagement
- Fast online claims processing (3-5 working days)
- Optional modules for additional benefits
Medicash
As the largest health cash plan provider in the UK by employee coverage, Medicash combines traditional benefits with innovative digital health solutions. Their long-standing experience and continuous innovation make them a leading choice for companies seeking comprehensive healthcare support.
Digital Innovation
- Phio app for digital physiotherapy assessments
- SkinVision app for skin cancer screening
- mProve YOURSELF wellbeing app
- My Medicash mobile app for claims and benefits
Coverage Features
- Everyday healthcare cost reimbursement
- Virtual GP services
- Mental health support services
- Preventative healthcare benefits
- Family coverage options
Corporate Benefits
- Reduced employee absence
- Comprehensive wellbeing tools
- Fast online claims processing
- Extensive digital health services
- Award-winning customer service
Simply Health
Simply Health maintains a dominant position in the voluntary-paid market segment while offering innovative solutions for both employer-paid and employee-paid plans. Their focus on preventative care and digital services makes them a modern choice for corporate health plans.
Key Features
- Direct settlement scheme for optical services
- Digital physiotherapy solutions
- 24/7 GP access
- Mental health support
- Preventative treatment focus
Plan Structure
- Multiple coverage levels
- No excess payments required
- Pre-existing conditions covered
- Fast online claims process
- Family coverage options
Additional Benefits
- Reward programs
- Lifestyle advice
- Digital health tools
- Discounted health services
- Comprehensive EAP
Westfield Health
Westfield Health stands out for its extensive corporate reach and comprehensive workplace wellbeing solutions. Their ability to tailor plans for businesses of all sizes makes them a versatile choice in the corporate health cash plans UK market.
Core Offerings
- From £6.52 per person monthly
- Dental and optical coverage
- Therapy treatments
- Virtual GP services
- Mental health support
- Diagnostic scanning
Corporate Solutions
- Employee assistance programs
- Mental health first aid courses
- Corporate fitness services
- Health and lifestyle screenings
- Customizable benefits packages
Distinctive Features
- Uncapped counselling sessions
- Online mental health community
- Scientific partnerships
- Quick diagnosis services
- Comprehensive digital support
WPA
WPA offers a specialized approach to health cash plan providers for companies, combining traditional cash plan benefits with innovative digital solutions and comprehensive support services.
Plan Features
- NHS Top-Up Corporate cash plan
- Advanced cancer drugs coverage
- Employee assistance program
- Digital health app access
- Integrated wellbeing services
Digital Solutions
- 24/7 remote GP consultations
- Symptom checker
- Mental health counselling
- Physiotherapy advice
- Wearable device integration
Corporate Benefits
- Flexible scheme design
- In-house clinical teams
- Personal claims management
- Choice of healthcare providers
- Not-for-profit structure
This comprehensive examination of the major health cash plan providers for companies in the UK shows that each provider offers unique strengths and features. The best health cash plan for employees will depend on various factors including:
- Company size and budget
- Employee demographics and needs
- Existing benefits package
- Digital service requirements
- Administration preferences
When selecting a provider, you should consider not only the core benefits and costs but also the additional services, digital capabilities, and support features that can enhance the overall value of your employee benefits package.