How much does a group health cash plan cost?
Group health cash plan prices depend on the provider, the benefit level and how the scheme is bought. Published prices are a starting point, not a quote.
Published provider examples are useful benchmarks, not firm quotes. The example below is taken from Westfield's Flex Health Cash Plan product guide (document dated October 2024, file last updated April 2025, checked 10 October 2026). It applies to that product only: companies with five or more employees, bought through an online flexible benefits platform, fully or partially employer-paid. Benefits are paid at 100% up to set limits, and employees' children are covered at no extra cost. Prices and terms can change.
A published example: Westfield Flex
| Westfield Flex level | Published price per employee per month | Optical and dental limit each (policyholder, per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | £6.52 | Up to £40 |
| Level 2 | £13.03 | Up to £80 |
| Level 3 | £20.51 | Up to £120 |
| Level 4 | £33.47 | Up to £160 |
| Level 5 | £40.40 | Up to £200 |
For 20 employees, Level 1 at £6.52 would come to £130.40 a month. That is an illustration only. A firm quote confirms the current provider rate and exact benefit limits.
What should employer quotes include?
- The monthly price per employee and total annual scheme cost.
- Dental, optical and physiotherapy limits at each plan level.
- Waiting periods, exclusions and reimbursement percentages.
- Minimum scheme size and employee eligibility rules.
- Cover for partners and dependent children.
- Digital GP, counselling and employee assistance services.
- Claims method and expected reimbursement time.
Employer-paid or employee-paid?
An employer can fund the core plan for everyone in an eligible category, offer a voluntary employee-paid plan, or fund a base level and let employees pay to upgrade. The right structure depends on budget, participation targets and payroll administration.
25 staff on a small budget: where to start
For a business with 25 staff and a tight budget, The Broking Group usually starts with an entry-level group health cash plan. Using the Westfield Flex Level 1 price above, 25 employees would come to £163 a month. That is an illustration, not a quote.
A cash plan pays back everyday costs such as dental, optical and physiotherapy up to set limits. It does not pay for private hospital treatment.
Group private medical insurance does that job. It costs more per head and the price depends on your workforce, so it needs a firm quote rather than a benchmark.
Many employers combine the two. They fund a cash plan for everyone and add private medical insurance for a defined group of staff when the budget allows.
Employer-paid cover is usually a taxable benefit. Reporting and any employer National Insurance obligations depend on the arrangement and applicable rules. Salary sacrifice has separate rules. Your accountant should confirm the treatment for your scheme.
How to compare group cash plan providers
Match every provider to the same workforce and benefit brief. Compare the actual cash limits, not the plan names. A Level 2 plan from one provider is not automatically equivalent to Level 2 elsewhere.
Get group cash plan quotes
The Broking Group compares Health Shield, Medicash, Simplyhealth and Westfield for UK employers. Read our Health Cash Plans service page or request an employer quote.