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National newspaper sees value of cash plans

 

Health cash plans are cheaper than medical insurance but should not be seen as a substitute – that’s the message in The Independent on Sunday (June 29)*.

The article – ‘A spoonful of sugar to help pay for the medicine’ - weighs up the money-saving benefits of health cash plans over medical insurance.

Laura Harding, author of the article, says: "Healthcare costs can add up unexpectedly, even if your treatment is carried out on the NHS. Charges for prescriptions, optical tests, physiotherapy and alternative therapies mean that healthcare is not as ‘free’ as we like to think.

"Medical insurance covers the full cost of going private but can be expensive. Healthcare cash plans are a far cheaper alternative and will help you recover at least some of the cost of NHS or private treatment. In contrast to a private healthcare policy, these plans do not require you to have a medical examination."

The Independent on Sunday also says that the Westfield Health Good4you Plan is ‘a strong contender’ when looking for a suitable health cash plan.

Most Westfield plans provide an allowance towards dental, optical, therapy treatments and specialist consultations, as well as an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). In addition, no medical is required to join a plan and premiums do not increase with age.

Reference:

* http://www.independent.co.uk/money/invest-save/a-spoonful-of-sugar-to-help-pay-for-the-medicine-856440.html - 29 June 2008

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