Hotel-style charges for NHS patients are likely to broaden the market for medical cash plans, accord...
Hotel-style charges for NHS patients are likely to broaden the market for medical cash plans, according to UK insurer Pinnacle Insurance.
Alan Millburn, the Secretary of State for Health, has indicated that he is in favour of the charges and Pinnacle believes they highlight the growing need for individuals and their employers, to make provisions for incidental costs relating to NHS in-patient care.
Pinnacle believes employers looking to provide staff with health-related benefits will be keen to consider a plan that accommodates the cost of NHS services that may become chargeable in the future. Tony Claytor, new products director at Pinnacle, said: 'Our medical CashPlan has always included a cash benefit to cover costs such as transport for family visits and other sundry expenses arising from hospitalisation. The introduction of hotel-style charges for the use of mobile phones, laptop computers or superior accommodation would make CashPlan all the more attractive ' and all the more necessary ' for the potential NHS patient."
In addition to £40 cash per night in hospital, or day surgery admission, CashPlan covers optical and dental care, complimentary and alternative medicine, maternity admissions and private specialists or consultants fees.
