How to lessen the financial pain of staying in hospital

The government has recently announced that car parking charges for hospitals in England are to remain in place.

The previous government had said they wanted to scrap the fees for hospital inpatients or regular out-patients but the coalition government says there are better uses of public money. The fees currently raise about £110m a year.  

Medicash chief executive Sue Weir said: "Many patients and their families will be affected by the news that hospital car park charges are continuing. In addition to car park charges, some people may also find themselves having to deal with other unplanned costs which can make their visit to hospital very expensive. For example, having to put a pet into kennels, buying nightwear, or losing pay, particularly if you are self employed.

"Medicash's health plans allow members to claim cash back for stays in hospital of more than one night, for daycases, or if a parent needs to stay with their child who is in hospital." *

The average charge per hour for hospital car parks in 2008/09 was £1.09. Parking is already free at most hospitals in Scotland and Wales and for certain priority groups in Northern Ireland.

* Medicash hospital terms and conditions

1. Inpatient - Medicash cover you for treatment when you are hospitalised overnight for medical treatment or a continuation of medical care. We do not cover the first night or single night stays.
2. Parental stay - Medicash cover you when one adult covered by the plan stays with their child under the age of twelve when they are admitted as an inpatient. We do not cover the first night or single night stays.
3. Hospital daycase - Medicash cover any daycase admission to a hospital or recognised medical centre to attend an appointment for diagnosis, treatment, investigation or minor surgery. Your attendance must be pre-planned with no intended overnight stay.
4. Please note that hospital benefits are not included on all Medicash health plans.