Oyster policy is denoted in purple.
Statutory
Regardless of employment status, all residents of the UK are automatically entitled to free public health care through the National Health Service (NHS), including hospital, physician, and mental health care. A government agency, NHS England, oversees and allocates funds to 191 Clinical Commissioning Groups, which govern and pay for care delivery at the local level.
Night workers have the right to a free healthcare assessment at the beginning of their employment, and throughout their employment as a nighttime worker.
Private healthcare could be offered in addition to the national healthcare and Oyster allows for such an option.
Employers do not have to directly pay into the NHS as such. However, they are required to make National Insurance Contributions (NICs) to the UK tax authority, and a portion of NICs are used to fund the NHS. The amount of employer NICs payable depends on the amount the relevant employee earns. Employers are also required to deduct employee NICs from employees’ salary before payment, which is usually processed by the company’s payroll provider.
Customary
Private healthcare is customary and it enables faster access to the necessary treatment, hence a faster return to work. The private medical provision also allows for greater patient comfort. Usually, the company covers the whole of the employee’s premium contribution.
Dependents can be fully covered by the company, or wholly or partially employee-funded. Additional dental and vision plans could be available at full cost to the employee as part of a flexible benefits or voluntary package offering.
Best in Class
Best-in-class companies cover 100% of contributions for their staff and their dependents.