What's the difference between Private Medical Insurance and a Health Cash Plan?

What's a Health Cash Plan?

Health cash plans are schemes where for a monthly fee, you can have your routine medical and dental expenses covered (up to an annual limit). For example, for £15 a month the Unite Health Cash plan covers up to £150 of dental costs, £350 of physio and £150 of optical.Put simply, a health cash plan is an easy, low-cost way to look after your essential, everyday health costs. Whether its new prescription glasses or an expensive dental crown or even physio for a sore back. Pay the bill upfront then claim back your benefit afterwards. And you don't need to wait for a GP referralCover is instant, subject to qualifying periods and there are no medical questions.

What's the difference is between Private Medical Insurance (PMI) and a health cash plan?

A cash plan shouldn't be confused with health insurance. They won't give you access to private hospital services or let you jump NHS queues. Unlike standard health insurance, where you might go to private hospitals or dentists, you can use health cash plans alongside the NHS. And although the NHS provides valuable care, there are still additional, routine costs which, depending on where you live in the UK may not be free at the point of use. 

Health Cash Plans give you money back for more routine services, such as:

• New prescription glass and contact lenses
• Dental treatment
• Money towards therapy treatments including physio and acupuncture
• NHS prescriptions and GP expenses
• 24/7 telephone helpline for health info and counselling

A great way to help you budget

Day-to-day medical bills, whether a bridge at the dentist or a year’s supply of contact lenses, can put an unwelcome dent in the monthly budget. Rather than relying on savings - or a credit card - the health cash plan enables you to claim back your benefit.

How does it work?

Claiming your cashback couldn't be simpler.
After you've had your treatment and paid the practitioner, just send off the receipt with the claim form for a speedy refund of your costs. Although pre-existing medical conditions are covered, most benefits have a qualifying period before you are entitled to claim and they vary depending on the benefit.

Terms and conditions apply. There are some situations that you are not covered for and some limitations on what will be paid out. For a detailed look at the main exclusions and limitations of the plan.

For full details, visit https://www.unioninsurance.co.uk/products/health-cash-plan/unite