Medicash leads the way with Best Doctors

Medicash, one of the leading providers of healthcare cash plans in the UK, is crediting a string of new business wins to its successful two year partnership with global second medical opinion experts Best Doctors. Member take up of the service has doubled with more and more people rating it as one of the most valuable benefits offered.

Medicash is the only cash plan provider to include the unique service in all their health policies* at no additional cost to members. Best Doctors gives people diagnosed with a serious illness access to a second opinion on their diagnosis and treatment.After analysing an individual's medical records, a medical specialist from Best Doctors' international panel of 50,000 physicians will deliver an independent assessment of their condition and can also advise on an appropriate roadmap to recovery.

Chief executive of Medicash Sue Weir said: "Being able to provide our members with the Best Doctors service has proved to be a massive selling point. Since last year the number of Medicash members accessing the service has increased by over 100% which also proves the popularity of the benefit. When you or a family member is diagnosed with an illness it can be an extremely worrying time. Delivered by some of the world's leading medical experts, the Best Doctors service gives people real peace of mind when it matters most and can be potentially lifesaving."

Stephen Haynes, UK business manager for Best Doctors says: "Medicash has been acknowledged as a trailblazer in the cash plan market by teaming up with Best Doctors. The service is an extremely valuable benefit and using it has no impact on premiums so it's not surprising it has been hugely popular."

Established in 1989 by doctors from the renowned Harvard University School of Medicine, Best Doctors now works with over 260 insurers, employers and affinity groups, providing 10 million members in 30 countries with their service.

Medicash member Francis Lees from Liverpool received advice from a neurologist at the Boston University School of Medicine in the USA after suffering from a stroke. He said: "I was really impressed with the Best Doctors service I got through my Medicash plan.  There was so much information in the report they gave me, it was very reassuring - it even referred to specialists in the UK who'd done this treatment before so I could get even more information. I've already recommended Medicash and Best Doctors to my family and friends - the service has been absolutely faultless."

Recent contract wins for Medicash include an exclusive deal with one of the North West's largest housing trusts, Chester & District Housing Trust, and Liverpool's economic development company, Liverpool Vision.

*except Medicash Smile which is a corporate dental plan.