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feel they are not adequately covered.

NHS provision can be patchy according to region, is prone to long waiting lists and does not always offer the most convenient appointment dates. There are also supplementary charges, such as dental fees and prescription charges which are increasingly to be paid up-front; and hidden fees, such as NHS car parking charges. Being ill can be expensive.

Full private medical insurance plans provide much more extensive provision, but with medical inflation rising fast, these can be too costly for an ordinary family budget. Company health insurance policies are also at risk. A survey of employers by Mercer in September 2010 said that employers expected healthcare costs to increase between 9 to 12% and so would be using cost-saving measures to reduce the increase to 6%. 57% said one way would be to make employees pay a greater share of the costs.

If all this leaves you uncertain of the future, medical cash plans may be the solution for you. Cash plans reimburse costs for routine medical expenses that the NHS would not cover. This can include everything from dental and optical fees to consultancy bills, tests and scans and GP fees. New schemes are also offering cover for hidden costs, such as NHS car parking charges. alimta