Category: Health benefits · Reviewed by Amy Price, Account Executive · Last reviewed 2026-06-10
A healthcare cash plan is a low-cost employee benefit under which the policyholder employer (or in some cases the employee directly) pays a small premium in exchange for partial reimbursement of routine healthcare expenses — dental treatment, optical, physiotherapy, prescriptions, GP consultations, hospital stays — up to defined annual benefit limits. Cash plans are distinct from private medical insurance, which covers acute private medical treatment, and from employee assistance programmes, which provide counselling.
Category: Health benefits Also known as: Cash plan, HCP Typical premium: £80–£200 per employee per year Related concepts: Group cash plan, Dental plan group, Optical plan group
Cash plans are designed to support everyday health costs that would otherwise be paid out of the employee’s net income. They are particularly popular as a low-cost alternative or supplement to PMI for employers wanting to provide a tangible day-to-day benefit. Many plans also include 24/7 GP access, EAP services and discount programmes.
Cash plans are regulated as general insurance under the FCA Handbook ICOBS. Premium is subject to Insurance Premium Tax at the standard rate. Where the employer pays the premium, the cover is a benefit in kind on the employee (P11D or payrolled) and the employer pays Class 1A NIC. Where the cover is provided through a salary deduction or salary sacrifice arrangement, different tax treatment may apply.
Typical benefit categories include dental (up to £100–£300/year), optical (up to £100–£200/year), physiotherapy (up to £200–£500/year), specialist consultations (up to £200–£300/year), and hospital stay payments (£20–£50/night). Premium is keenly priced because the products have high frequency / low severity claims and are mass-marketed.
An employer provides a £150 per employee cash plan covering dental, optical and physio at modest limits. An employee claims £180 for a dental check-up and £85 for new spectacles; both are paid promptly without the employee needing to make any payment up-front to the dentist or optician.
This entry is part of the Apex Insurance Wiki. Last reviewed by Matt Bartlett on 2026-06-10. Next review: 2026-12-10.
Apex Insurance Brokers Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 724952. Registered in England and Wales, Companies House 07014570. This entry provides general information about UK insurance concepts and is not regulated advice. Consult your insurance broker on your specific position.
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