Why purchase healthcare from a mutual or friendly society?

When prompted to consider your heathcare needs, how do you know which product is right for you, and which provider to choose?

 Mutual and friendly healthcare societies provide an alternative to traditional private medical insurance and cash plan products and can often specialise in specific markets.

 As mutual companies, rather than insurance companies, no insurance premium tax is payable. All profits made are directed back into the services provided and the essential administration behind it.  The profit made is not directed back to shareholders – an important difference in comparison to some health insurance companies who make profit for shareholders. All the money made by a mutual contributes to a shared fund.

 Not all healthcare services and medical treatments are necessarily included. Just like cash plans and insurance companies, healthcare mutuals and friendly societies do not necessarily cover all eventualities. It’s advisable to telephone the healthcare company or visit its website for further information and to find out which product suits your needs best.

 Benenden Healthcare Society Limited is a mutual healthcare provider. It offers discretionary healthcare services to current or previous employees of the public sector and other approved organisations.

Benenden Healthcare differs from private medical insurance because:

• No medicals are required before you join
• Pre-existing conditions are covered
• No exclusions on the basis of age
• The cost does not rise when you use the service: because Benenden Healthcare does not issue policies and charge premiums like health insurers.
• Everyone pays the same £1.50 per person, per week
• Everyone is entitled to the same level of healthcare