
As an FCA-authorised expert with over 800,000 policies arranged, WeCovr specialises in helping UK residents navigate the private medical insurance landscape. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of Simplyhealth's health and dental plans, explaining what they cover, who they're for, and how they compare to traditional PMI.
Navigating the world of UK health cover can feel complex. You have the NHS, private medical insurance (PMI), and then a category of products often called 'health cash plans'. Simplyhealth is one of the UK's most recognised names in this latter space, focusing on everyday health and wellbeing.
This review will dissect Simplyhealth's offerings, clarify the crucial differences between their plans and comprehensive private medical insurance, and help you decide what level of cover is right for your needs and budget.
Simplyhealth is not a newcomer to the UK's health landscape. Its origins trace back to 1872, formed from the merger of several hospital funds dedicated to helping working people access healthcare. Today, it stands as one of the UK's leading health and dental plan providers.
Key aspects of Simplyhealth's identity include:
Their goal is to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, complementing the services provided by the NHS.
This is the most important distinction to grasp when considering Simplyhealth. They are not the same thing.
Health Cash Plans: These plans are designed to help you budget for routine healthcare. You pay a monthly premium. When you visit a dentist, optician, or physiotherapist, you pay for the service yourself and then claim a portion (or all) of the cost back from Simplyhealth, up to set annual limits. They are a way of 'cashing back' your everyday health expenses.
Private Medical Insurance (PMI): This is a completely different type of insurance. PMI is designed to cover the cost of diagnosis and treatment for new, acute medical conditions. An acute condition is one that is curable and short-term, like a hernia requiring surgery or joint pain needing investigation. PMI gives you access to private hospitals and specialists, helping you bypass long NHS waiting lists.
Crucial Point on Pre-existing Conditions: Standard UK private medical insurance, from any provider, does not cover chronic or pre-existing conditions. A chronic condition is one that needs long-term management and has no known cure (e.g., diabetes, asthma). A pre-existing condition is any illness, injury, or symptom you had before your policy started. PMI is for unforeseen, acute health issues that arise after you take out cover.
Simplyhealth's most popular products are their health cash plans. They offer several tiers of cover, allowing you to choose a level that matches your budget and anticipated healthcare needs.
The concept is simple:
Here is an illustrative breakdown of what different levels of a Simplyhealth cash plan might offer.
| Benefit Category | Example Level 1 Cover (Annual Limit) | Example Level 4 Cover (Annual Limit) | Real-World Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental | £60 | £250 | Covers your annual check-up and a filling. |
| Optical | £60 | £250 | Pays towards new prescription glasses or contact lenses. |
| Therapies | £100 | £400 | Helps cover a course of physiotherapy or osteopathy. |
| Diagnosis | £150 | £750 | Contributes to the cost of a private specialist consultation. |
| Prescriptions | £25 | £100 | Reimburses you for NHS prescription charges. |
| Hospital Stays | £20 per night | £80 per night | A cash benefit paid for each night you're an NHS inpatient. |
Who are Health Cash Plans Good For?
Alongside their multi-benefit cash plans, Simplyhealth offers standalone dental plans. These are extremely popular in the UK, given that NHS dentistry can be difficult to access in some areas and private costs can be high.
Simplyhealth's dental plans work similarly to their cash plans but are focused exclusively on oral health. They typically come in different levels, offering varying degrees of reimbursement for different treatments.
| Feature | Typical Level 1 Dental Plan | Typical Level 3 Dental Plan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-ups & Hygiene | 100% reimbursement | 100% reimbursement | Encourages preventative care. |
| Dental Treatment | 75% reimbursement | 100% reimbursement | Covers fillings, root canals, extractions, etc. |
| Crowns, Bridges, Dentures | 50% reimbursement | 75% reimbursement | Higher-cost treatments often have lower reimbursement. |
| Dental Injury | Cover up to £5,000 | Cover up to £10,000 | For damage caused by an external blow. |
| Oral Cancer | Included (lump sum payment) | Included (lump sum payment) | Provides financial support upon diagnosis. |
| Annual Limit | £500 | £2,000+ | This is the maximum you can claim back per policy year. |
You can typically use these plans with both NHS and private dentists. However, the value is often greatest when used with a private dentist, as the plan helps make otherwise expensive treatment much more affordable.
While Simplyhealth is a market leader in cash plans and dental insurance, their offering in the comprehensive private medical insurance UK market is less direct than specialists like Aviva, Bupa, or AXA Health. Historically, they have partnered with other insurers to offer PMI products.
This means if you're looking for full private health cover for surgery, cancer treatment, and extensive diagnostic tests, a Simplyhealth cash plan alone will not suffice. It can be a fantastic add-on to a PMI policy, covering the excess on your PMI or paying for therapies not included in your main policy.
For a full PMI policy, you would need to explore the broader market. This is where an expert PMI broker like WeCovr becomes invaluable. We can assess your needs and compare policies from all leading UK providers to find the most suitable and cost-effective cover, ensuring you don't have any gaps.
Key Features of a Full PMI Policy:
Every product has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding them helps you make an informed choice.
| Pros of Simplyhealth Plans | Cons of Simplyhealth Plans |
|---|---|
| Affordable Monthly Premiums: Cash and dental plans are significantly cheaper than full PMI. | Not Comprehensive Cover: Does not cover major surgery or extensive private treatment. |
| Easy to Understand and Use: The 'pay and claim' model is straightforward. | Annual Claim Limits: Once you hit your limit for a benefit, you can't claim any more that year. |
| Promotes Preventative Health: Encourages regular check-ups by making them financially accessible. | Doesn't Cover Pre-existing Conditions: This applies to any new policy, but it's important to remember. |
| No Medical Questions for Cash Plans: You can typically sign up without a medical declaration. | PMI Offering is Limited: For full private health insurance, you need to look at specialist providers. |
| Excellent for Budgeting: Helps smooth out the cost of predictable healthcare needs. | Reimbursement Model: You must be able to pay for the treatment upfront before claiming back. |
Prices for health and dental plans are influenced by your age and the level of cover you choose. The costs are much lower than for comprehensive private health cover.
Here are some illustrative examples to give you an idea of monthly costs in 2025.
| Plan Type & Level | Age 30 | Age 50 | Age 65 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Cash Plan (Level 1) | ~£10 per month | ~£12 per month | ~£15 per month |
| Health Cash Plan (Level 4) | ~£35 per month | ~£40 per month | ~£45 per month |
| Dental Plan (Level 2) | ~£20 per month | ~£23 per month | ~£26 per month |
These are estimates only. For an accurate quote, you must get a personalised illustration.
In contrast, a comprehensive PMI policy could range from £40 per month for a healthy 30-year-old with basic cover, to well over £150 per month for a 60-year-old with comprehensive outpatient options.
Simplyhealth enhances its plans with a suite of digital tools and wellness services, aiming to provide value beyond just financial reimbursement. These often include:
These added benefits can provide significant day-to-day value and should be considered when weighing up your options.
While a Simplyhealth plan is an excellent choice for everyday health costs, it might not be the complete solution you need. If you're concerned about long NHS waiting lists for surgery or want comprehensive cancer cover, you need to explore the private medical insurance UK market.
This is where WeCovr can help. As an independent, FCA-authorised PMI broker, our service is designed to make the process simple and transparent:
Furthermore, clients who purchase private medical or life insurance through WeCovr receive complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie tracking app, CalorieHero, and can benefit from discounts on other types of insurance. Our high customer satisfaction ratings reflect our commitment to finding the right cover for our clients.
The Young Family: The Davies family has two children, aged 8 and 11. They take out a mid-level Simplyhealth cash plan. Over the year, they claim back the costs of four dental check-ups, two pairs of new glasses for their eldest child, and a course of six physiotherapy sessions for Mrs. Davies's back pain. The plan helps them budget and saves them over £500 in out-of-pocket expenses.
The Freelance Designer: Mark is 35 and self-employed. He doesn't have corporate benefits. He opts for a Simplyhealth Dental Plan. When he needs an unexpected root canal and crown, his dentist quotes him £950. His plan covers 75% of the cost, saving him £712.50 and making the treatment immediately affordable.
The Active Retiree: Susan, 68, is in good health but wants to manage her predictable costs. She uses her cash plan to claim back the cost of her hearing aid batteries, regular chiropody appointments, and her annual eye test. The plan gives her peace of mind and financial control.
It is vital to know what isn't covered by any health plan or insurance policy. For Simplyhealth plans, common exclusions include:
Always read the policy document carefully before you buy to ensure you fully understand the terms and conditions.
Ready to find the best health cover for you?
Whether a Simplyhealth cash plan is the perfect fit or you need the comprehensive protection of a full private medical insurance policy, the choice can be complex. Don't navigate it alone.
Contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote. Our expert team will compare the entire market to find the right solution for your health needs and budget, ensuring you get the best possible cover at the best price.






