Best health cash plans in the UK - 2026

Top 6 health cash plans in the UK

Here is a summary of the top six health cash plans you can currently buy in the UK (in alphabetical order). Please click to navigate to our detailed reviews.

• BHSF - Healthy Choices
• Hive - Medical Cash Plan
• Simplyhealth - 1-2-3 Health
• Sovereign Health Care - Good All Round
• UK Healthcare - Every Day Cash Plan
• Westfield Health - Good4you

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Expert reviews of the best cash plans you can buy in 2026

Our reviews give you a summary of what each health cash plan offers and the pros and cons.

When choosing health cash plans or a health insurance policy, it's wise to get advice from a broker to ensure you select the right plan for your circumstances.

BHSF

BHSF describe themselves as a profit-for-good health and wellbeing provider, offering health cash plans to individuals and businesses.

Their Healthy Choices health cash plan policy provides four levels of coverage: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum and pays cashback for 100% of your dental and optical costs, prescription charges, flu vaccinations and various therapies. There are also fixed payments when you have a baby or spend a night in the hospital. A personal health cash plan can cover you and any children under 18, while their family health cash plan covers you, your partner and children as long as you all live at the same address. Individual annual cover limits are divided between your children, meaning the more children you have, the less you can claim per head.

Dental coverage includes all your check-ups, treatments and dentures, while optical cover includes check-ups, glasses, contact lenses, laser eye surgery and prescription sports goggles. There's also cover for dental and optical emergencies abroad, including buying new glasses. Therapies covered include physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, homoeopathy, reflexology and chiropractic treatment. If getting an appointment with your NHS GP has become a challenge, BHSF offers an online or telephone GP and prescription service.

There's a standard 13-week qualifying period from the policy's start date, plus a two-year exclusion period for hospital stays relating to pre-existing conditions. The person who treats you must be a qualified practitioner who meets the standards set out in the terms and conditions.

What we like:

• Four levels of coverage with generous limits.
• Anyone aged 16 and over can apply.
• Individual plans include children as standard.
• Good range of treatments.
• Access to private online and telephone GP appointments and a private prescription service.
• International coverage for emergency dental and optical care.

What we don't like:

• Individual coverage limits are divided between all the children the policy covers.
• Two-year exclusion for hospital stays for pre-existing medical conditions.

Trustpilot Reviews

BHSF has an outstanding 4.8* rating from more than 8,600 Trustpilot reviews. A wealth of positive reviews describe friendly customer service and quick claims processing.

Negative reviews primarily concern rejected claims, often due to misunderstandings of policy terms. It's difficult to assess whether unhappy customers lacked sufficient information or failed to read the fine print. BHSF is highly responsive to reviews, which is always a good sign as it shows they take into account their customers' experiences.

_{Source: BHSF Healthy Choices policy details}

Hive

Hive's Medical Cash Plan offers five levels of cover so you can tailor your cash plan to your needs and budget. Its benefit levels and limits are the same as those in Westfield Health's 2024 Good4you plan guide, so it's worth comparing Hive's price with Westfield's (reviewed below) before you choose.

Dental cover includes dental check-ups and routine and emergency dental treatment. Optical cover includes eye tests, glasses and contact lenses. You can also claim cash back for physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture and homoeopathy. If your GP refers you to a consultant or you're admitted to the hospital, you can also claim for your consultation, tests and each night of your hospital stay.

Hive's cash plan excludes claims for pre-existing conditions you've had in the last 12 months (apart from dental and optical), and treatment for alcohol abuse and chronic illnesses.

Hive's plan page doesn't list any qualifying periods, so ask Hive for the policy document before you buy, especially if you're planning to claim the maternity or paternity payment.

What we like:

• Five cover levels.
• Cover for seven different treatment categories.
• You can add your children to your plan free of charge.

What we don't like:

• Some cover is only available following a GP referral.

Reviews

Hive's third-party reviews give them a 4.2* rating from 247 reviews. Though they have yet to collect as many reviews as other providers we've reviewed, that's still a healthy score.

Their positive reviews mention friendly customer service and an efficient claims process. Negative reviews mention slow service, rejected claims, and sharp increases in the monthly premium.

_{Source: Hive Medical Cash Plan page}

Simplyhealth

Simplyhealth is an award-winning health benefits provider whose focus on social responsibility and environmental sustainability has earned it B-Corp status. The company doesn't have shareholders, meaning it reinvests profits in healthcare, customer service, and charitable work. Customers can make claims and access support via the SimplyPlan app.

Their 1-2-3 health cash plan is sold on Simplyhealth's website at three levels, with transparent pricing. The plans pay cashback on dental check-ups and treatment, plus dentures, braces and gum shields. Optical cover includes eye tests, glasses, contacts and prescription sunglasses. Unusually, it'll also cover repairs. Chiropody, podiatry and reflexology are covered from level 2 upwards, and the plan doesn't ask for a GP referral for these or for physiotherapy, acupuncture, osteopathy and chiropractic treatment.

The plan includes payments for hospital admissions, day-patient treatment and cashback on private or NHS prescription costs, including prepayment certificates.

Hospital payments from a cash plan are usually a small fixed amount per night, not the cost of your treatment. For cover that pays for private treatment, compare health insurance quotes.

You can access various support services, including 24/7 online GP appointments and counselling. There are also digital muscle and joint pain assessments to point you towards the right care.

Some cash plans now offer discounts and rewards in the same way as private health insurance providers. Simplyhealth provides cash plan customers with over 100 partner discounts on health-related products and services such as gym memberships, spa breaks, protein bars and outdoor clothing.

What we like:

• Five cover levels with transparent pricing.
• Profits reinvested in healthcare and customer service.
• Good range of treatments.
• Claims via the SimplyPlan app.
• Option to add up to four children to your plan.
• Cashback on prescription charges includes prepayment certificates.
• Support services include online and telephone GP appointments, counselling and digital muscle and joint pain assessments.
• Over 100 member benefits and discounts.

What we don't like:

• No option to pay annually instead of monthly.

Trustpilot Reviews

Simplyhealth's 5,000-plus Trustpilot reviews give them an excellent rating.

Their positive reviews mention the easy-to-use app, quick payments and friendly customer service.

Negative reviews discuss difficulties in cancelling, frustration with claim limits, and the need to claim online only. However, Simplyhealth is very responsive to reviews and provides customer support over the telephone where necessary.

_{Source: Simplyhealth 1-2-3 Health Plan table of cover}

Sovereign Health Care

Sovereign Health Care celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023 and prides itself on being friendly and honest in its approach to healthcare. They specialise in cash plans and offer five levels of coverage for an impressive range of treatments.

Sovereign's cash plan includes:

• Dental check-ups, including x-rays, dental treatment and dentures.
• Eye tests, glasses and contact lenses.
• Prescription charges and vaccinations.
• Hospital admissions, consultant appointments and diagnostic tests.
• Physical therapy treatments including physiotherapy, osteopathy and sports massage.
• Chiropody and podiatry.
• Alternative therapies include acupuncture, reflexology and homoeopathy.
• Health screening.
• A baby or adoption bonus.

That's an extensive list compared to other providers we've reviewed. For example, it covers sports massage, which many health cash plans don't. If you're a keen athlete, it could help you save money on your regular expenses. Money Saving Expert's healthcare cash plans guide lists Sovereign among its top picks for families, including for those who expect to make bigger claims.

They provide immediate coverage on some treatments with qualifying periods on others. There's a 6-month qualifying period for physical therapies, hospital admissions, and consultant appointments for anyone with a pre-existing condition. However, on the plus side, you can claim when you give birth or adopt a child when you've had the policy for six months, meaning you could be covered even if you're already pregnant when you take out your cash plan.

Your dependent children (up to 18) can also be covered for free, although they can't claim the baby bonus. Sovereign also offer a telephone helpline providing access to medical, legal, financial and consumer information, counselling and online support.

What we like:

• Five levels of cover with high cover limits.
• Coverage for an extensive range of treatments and therapies.
• Free cover for children up to 18.
• Baby bonus paid after six months.
• Access to a telephone helpline and online support for various issues.

What we don't like:

• Lengthy qualifying periods for pre-existing conditions.

Trustpilot Reviews

Sovereign has more than 4,800 reviews on Trustpilot, giving them a score of 4.8*.

Positive reviews describe a quick and simple claims process with prompt payment and friendly customer service. Negative reviews refer to a slow, confusing claims process and rejected claims because of missing documentation. However, customers also appear to misunderstand cover limits, and there's one potentially fake review.

_{Source: Sovereign Health Care Good All Round terms and conditions}

UK Healthcare

UK Healthcare specialises in health cash plans for individuals and businesses.

Their Every Day Cash Plan provides four levels of cover for everyday healthcare, including dental check-ups and treatments, eye care and tests, laser eye surgery, physiotherapy, complementary therapies, health screening and specialist consultations and tests. There's a fixed cash benefit for inpatient and day-patient care or for a parent to stay in the hospital with a child the policy covers. You can also claim money back for individual prescriptions, although not annual ones. As with other providers, there's a cash bonus when you give birth or adopt, but there's a 12-month qualifying period before you can claim. They promise to pay 100% of your costs, though they'll only pay 50% on treatment for children in some categories, including optical and dental care. The optical allowances cover two years, which you must remember when choosing your coverage level.

Cash plans pay back part of a specialist consultation or test, up to a yearly limit. To have private diagnosis and treatment paid for, compare health insurance quotes.

We were impressed by the additional cover and services UK Healthcare's cash plan provides. The plan covers accidental death and offers 28 days of international coverage when you travel. It also offers discounted gym memberships through Incorpore. Finally, there's a 24-hour helpline offering counselling and advice on health, legal issues and identity theft.

What we like:

• Four coverage levels.
• Good range of treatments.
• Discounted gym memberships.
• Accidental death cover.
• 28 days' international cover.
• 24-hour support helpline.

What we don't like:

• 12-month qualifying period for maternity benefit.
• No free coverage for children.

Reviews

UK Healthcare has more than 3,200 customer reviews with an impressive 4.5* overall rating. Reviews mention quick and straightforward claims and speedy resolutions for disputed claims.

The negative reviews mainly focus on the dental plan and difficulties in claiming due to confusing terms and conditions. Several people mention issues due to receipts without a name, even when accompanied by a supporting invoice.

_{Source: UK Healthcare Every Day Cash Plan}

Westfield Health

Westfield Health's Good4you cash plan provides five levels of cover for everyday healthcare expenses, including routine dental, optical, physical therapy, prescription and chiropody costs. You can also claim for acupuncture, homoeopathy, and health screening.

You're free to use any practitioner that meets Westfield's qualification requirements. They say they process online claims within 2 working days and pay 95% of correctly presented claims.

You can add your dependent children to the policy at no extra cost, and they're covered for optical, dental and hospital cash benefits. The plan also pays a maternity or paternity bonus when you give birth or adopt. On levels 3 to 5, the plan also pays out if you die or are permanently disabled in an accident. This may not provide the same level of coverage as life or income protection insurance, but it could help support you and your family in a crisis.

Policyholders can access video and telephone GP appointments 24 hours a day from anywhere worldwide. That's a real benefit if you need medical advice while on holiday or travelling for work. Call their 24-hour advice line to speak to a counsellor or get medical, legal or debt advice.

Westfield rewards and discounts include discounted gym memberships and offers and discounts with over 1,000 retailers, restaurants and destinations, which is outstanding and could help you reduce your day-to-day spending.

We're impressed by the Eldercare service, which provides support for policyholders caring for a relative aged 65 or over and is unique among health cash plans as far as we can tell. The telephone advice service offers emotional and practical support to carers, including help finding care providers and guidance on funding. They'll also provide up to 18 hours of home care a year after an overnight hospital stay, shared between you and one relative aged 65 or over.

What we like:

• Five levels of cover.
• Good range of treatments.
• Free cover for dependent children.
• No qualifying period.
• Quick payments and high acceptance rate.
• Online and telephone GP appointments and telephone helplines.
• Eldercare service with support for carers.
• Member discounts and offers.

What we don't like:

• Children are covered for optical, dental and hospital cash benefits only.

Trustpilot Reviews

Westfield Health has more than 3,100 third-party reviews on Trustpilot, giving them a 4.6* rating. Their customers are clearly impressed. They describe the service as 'faultless' and the claims process as quick and easy.

Negative reviews typically come from customers frustrated by coverage limits or who experienced difficulties submitting claims.

_{Source: Westfield Health Good4you plan guide}

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