Medicash Solution to Free Dental Treatment Threat

Date: 13/02/2006

News that dentists in some parts of England are telling parents they will no longer be able to offer free treatment for children will be met with some despair but healthcare cash plan provider, Medicash, can help ease the financial pain of paying for checkups and treatments.

Dentists have said that local health bosses are not allowing them to treat adults privately and children on the NHS when a new contract is introduced in April. Many primary care trusts are insisting on the arrangement as they want to build a family approach to oral health but it is believed that many more dentists will leave the NHS because of it.

However, from only £12 per month, Medicash Essentials will make payments towards the costs of treatments provided by dentists such as checkups, fillings and extractions. Anybody between the ages of 16 and 65 can buy Medicash Essentials and dependent children under the age of 18 will be covered free for some benefits, including dentistry.

A couple paying into the plan can claim back up to £120 per child for dental treatments and up to £240 per year for themselves.*

As well as dental cover, Medicash Essentials also makes cash payments towards many other benefits including a visit to the opticians and a pair of glasses and/or contact lenses, overnight hospital stays, professional care treatments such as homeopathy and osteopathy, physiotherapy, payment for having a baby and breaking a bone – with five benefit levels for both singles and couples. Obviously the more a member pays in to the plan, the more they can claim back.

For example, a couple paying into the plan can claim back up to £240* per year for optical treatments (child under 18 - £120), £72 for every night they stay in hospital (child under 18 - £36), up to £660 per year for treatments such as homeopathy and physiotherapy and up to £900 just for having a baby.

Bill Gaywood, Medicash Chief Executive comments: “Some PCTs believe this new contract will provide a universal service for children and adults but it also means additional costs. Dental treatment is essential, especially for children, whether it has to be paid for or not so it’s important that the cost doesn’t stand in the way. As a healthcare cash plan pays towards dentistry, parents can ensure the continuity of essential treatment for children as well as themselves.”

For further information about Medicash Essentials call 0151 702 0304

*Figures based on the Medicash Dual Level Five plan – 100% of receipt. Individual plan at £12 per month pays out £80 per year – 100% of receipt

Back to News Stories