HSF health plan

HSF health plan: health cash plans in the UK and Ireland

HSF health plan is the trading company of The Hospital Saturday Fund, a charity registered in the UK (No. 1123381) and Ireland (No. 20104528). The company operates in both countries and offers health cash plans that help spread the cost of medical expenses not covered free of charge by the NHS. In the UK it is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority; in Ireland it operates as a third country branch authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Individual, family and corporate plans

The organisation structures its offering into three main schemes:

• Individual plans: cover the policyholder and any children under 18 living with them, with a single premium. There is an option to add a partner at an additional cost.
• Family plans: a single premium covers the policyholder, their partner and any children under 18 living with them.
• Corporate plans: aimed at employers who want to offer a health plan to their staff as an employee benefit. These are arranged through the employer.

Individual and family plans can be applied for online. Corporate plans are arranged through the employer, who can contact the organisation to find out the terms.

How cash plans work

Each plan consists of a range of schemes. The policyholder pays a premium for the scheme that suits their needs and then claims cash back for treatments as they receive them. The organisation states that its flexible schemes can reimburse up to 100% of various healthcare costs. In addition to the policyholder's cover, it is possible to cover a spouse or partner and children up to the age of 18 at no extra cost.

Health cover and services included

The offering includes a wide range of health benefits. Among the categories cited are dental and optical, with cash back after spending on dental or optical care. The schemes also cover chiropractic, homeopathy, acupuncture, physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropody. Policyholders also have unlimited access to a GP and a variety of assistance helplines and services, available 24 hours a day. The company also mentions HSF Perkbox, a programme with money-saving offers at gyms, cinemas and other establishments.

History and charitable activity

The organisation's history dates back to 1873, when the Victorian social reformer the 12th Earl of Meath founded The Hospital Saturday Fund. The name referred to Saturday, the traditional payday when workers set aside small amounts to help support local hospitals, at a time when there was no NHS and hardly any state support. Public healthcare provision did not arrive until 1948. In early 2007, The Hospital Saturday Fund changed its name to HSF health plan, keeping the original name for its new parent company. In 2008, The Hospital Saturday Fund applied for and obtained registered charity status, with HSF health plan as its trading subsidiary. The organisation states it has over 140 years of assistance through charitable funds in the UK and Ireland.

All profits made by HSF health plan are channelled to its parent charity, which allows it to support medically-associated charities and individuals through grants. The organisation publishes annual solvency and financial condition reports from 2016 to 2024.

Corporate structure and international presence

HSF health plan Ltd is registered as a company in England with number 30869 and its registered office is at 24 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD. In Ireland it is registered as a company with number 904935 and its registered office is at 5 Westgate Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co. Clare. The company maintains a specific website for Ireland and another for the UK, and offers telephone support on 0800 917 2208.

Headquarters and locations

Main location: 24 Upper Ground London SE1 9PD

Location 2: 5 Westgate Business Park, Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co. Clare