budgeting for health

30 June 2010

The Engage Mutual health cash plan focuses on the benefits people use most - dental, optical and complementary therapy costs - giving 100 per cent cash back up to each benefit level limit.

Wearers of spectacles or contact lenses; those who regularly visit the dentist; or those requiring physiotherapy or any of the other complementary therapies included; can enjoy good levels of cash back on these regular outlays.  Plan holders simply keep their receipts, fill in a form and claim back £1 for every £1 spent, up to their chosen plan’s maximum benefit level.

Costing from £10 per month, the 'everyday' Engage Mutual health cash plan provides 100 per cent cash back on annual costs up to £450 across dental, optical and complementary therapies.  The deluxe level at £14 per month gives 100 per cent cash back on annual costs across the same benefits up to £675, and the superior level at £18 per month gives 100 per cent back up to £900 per year (see table below).

"The cost of regular contact lens supplies and replacement prescription glasses alone can quickly mount up, so being able to claim back on everyday costs like these puts money back in your pocket," said Helen Graham, Head of Health Cash Plans at Engage Mutual.

Complementary treatments such as physiotherapy on the NHS can in some cases involve weeks of waiting after seeing a doctor.  But following GP referral, the health cash plan will pay cash back on consultations with qualified private practitioners of physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture, cutting down on waiting times before treatment.

"The security of having a plan that can help towards the expense of a series of treatments encourages individuals to address any niggling or ongoing health issues, which over time can impact on quality of life." Helen Graham continued.

Included as part of the plan’s dental cover are the costs of check ups, treatment, dentures, fillings, crowns and root canals, in addition to hygienist treatments.

Helen Graham concluded:

"With 65% of claims made on health cash plans being for eyes, teeth and muscular issues¹, the Engage Mutual health cash plan has been streamlined to offer generous benefits on these key conditions."

The plan also includes personal accident cover and accidental death cover up to £10,000.  Another added benefit is the inclusion of small amount of life cover within the plan’s benefits.  Dependant children can enjoy their own dental and optical cover at no extra cost.  Child cover benefit amounts are split between all eligible children.  It is not an amount per child (see table below).

ENDS

How does the Engage Mutual health cash plan work?

When you pay dental, optical, or complementary therapist bills, simply save your receipt, complete a simple claim form and send this with the original receipt to Engage Mutual.  We aim to pay your cash back within two days of your claim form and receipts being received.  There is the option of having the amount paid directly into your bank account.

Plan levels and benefits:

*All benefits are available for treatments incurred anywhere within the European Community when travelling for business/pleasure purposes up to 28 days.

You don't need to purchase a separate plan for your children. They have their own limited dental and optical entitlement.

The benefit amounts for dependant children are shared between all eligible children and are not amounts per child.

1. Laing & Buisson, UK Health & Care Cover 2009

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Kathryn McLaughlin
Engage Mutual Assurance
Tel: 01423 855245

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Engage Mutual Assurance is a trading name of Homeowners Friendly Society Ltd (HFSL), Registered and incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992, Registered number 964F and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Engage Mutual Funds Limited (eMFL) and Engage Mutual Insurance Ltd (eMIL).   Both HFSL and eMFL are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).  HFSL’s Register number is 110072, eMFL’s Register number is 181487.   eMIL is authorised to conduct general insurance business by the Financial Services Commission Gibraltar and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority for the conduct of UK business.  eMIL’s FSA Register No is 485680.   You can check this on the FSA’s Register by visiting the FSA website www.fsa.gov.uk/ or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234. 

2. Engage Mutual is one of the larger UK mutuals providing simple, value for money savings, protection and investment products.  It currently helps over 438,000 customers of all ages to protect, preserve or enhance their welfare, with some of the most straightforward products on the market.  Engage Mutual prides itself on being a family-oriented, modern mutual, providing products that help enable households of all kinds to plan their finances to help meet their future needs. More information on Engage Mutual is available at www.engagemutual.com

3. Engage Mutual supports mutuality, friendly societies and the regional financial services industry through links with the Association of  Financial Mutuals,  Mutuo and Leeds Financial Services Initiative.

4. Engage Mutual Funds Limited (EMFL) is a provider of the Child Trust Fund direct and in partnership with organisations including Yorkshire Building Society.

5. EngageMutual has been the title sponsor of the Rugby Super League since 2005 and has extended its agreement to 2010.

6. EngageMutual announced its entry into the health cash plan market in July 2008 following an agreement of partnership with Wakefield & District Hospital’s Contributory Scheme (WDHCS).  Further to this, 30,000 health cash plan customers transferred from Premier Health Benefits (part of WDHCS) to Engage Mutual Insurance Limited, which is the provider of the health cash plan.