Health insurance plan

Could a cash plan take the pain out of routine treatment?

A health insurance plan, often called a cash plan, is an easy way to reduce the impact of bills such as opticians' or dentists' bills. Typically you pay a few pounds per month and then when the bill comes in from the doctor or dentist, you can claim most or all of the money back.

A health insurance plan - often described as a cash plan - can help reduce the sting of regular bills such as opticians' appointments or routine dental treatment, and such a plan can also pay for treatment such as physiotherapy, osteopathy and acupuncture. In many cases a health insurance plan will also pay compensation for any hospital stays.

A good example of a health insurance plan in action is HSA's Individual Plan, which is available at various prices from just over £1 per week to £10.80 per week. If you choose the £4.05 per week option you can claim £48 per day for any hospital stay (including casualty admission), up to £120 for dental bills, £105 for optical bills and up to £360 for treatments such as homeopathy or acupuncture. You're also covered for these items if you need treatment abroad, provided your trip is for less than 28 days.