Bupa and CS Healthcare are today announcing a proposed transfer of CS Healthcare’s members and business to Bupa.
CS Healthcare is a Friendly Society with approximately 18,500 members and was originally established in 1929 to provide health insurance cover for members of the UK Civil Service. Bupa is the UK’s leading health insurer, established in 1947, and its purpose is to help people live longer, healthier happier lives.
The proposed transfer offers a number of benefits to CS Healthcare’s members. Bupa is well known for the standards of care it provides and has a strong commitment to maintain the highest level of customer service in the industry. Bupa’s strong financial position and presence in the health insurance market offers confidence in its sustainability and the ability to deliver affordable premiums over the long-term.
If the transfer is approved, following their first or second policy renewal, CS Healthcare members will benefit from greater access to even more health and wellbeing support including Bupa’s specialist support for cancer* and cardiac care, digital GP service, and direct access to treatment for a wide range of conditions without needing to see a GP first. They’ll also benefit from Bupa’s market-leading mental health cover, to support this important aspect of their health.
Over the last few years, CS Healthcare has been impacted by rising healthcare and administration costs and increased costs of regulatory compliance. This has led to premiums increasing and more customers leaving CS Healthcare than joining, impacting sustainability.
Subject to regulatory approval, clearance from competition authorities and approval by CS Healthcare’s members at its AGM in September, the transfer is due to complete towards the end of 2020.
Alex Perry, CEO, Bupa Insurance said: “We’re very pleased that CS Healthcare has chosen Bupa to care for its members into the future. Bupa has been in discussions with the CS Healthcare Board and management for some time, and it’s clear that our organisations share similar values and cultures, with a strong long-term commitment to putting customers first.
“We work hard to deliver the best healthcare for our customers. The transfer will give CS Healthcare members access to Bupa’s leading health expertise and pioneering support services to help them stay in control of their physical and mental health, including our enhanced range of healthcare services that can be accessed from home.”
Tom Gidaracos, Chief Executive, CS Healthcare said: “We are committed to ensuring our members have assured medical insurance and continuity of cover for their futures.
“Changes in the private medical insurance market over the past two decades, as well as increased regulation and costs in the insurance industry mean that CS Healthcare’s members would benefit from joining a larger organisation.
“Bupa will provide added security, continuity of cover and enhanced benefits to CS Healthcare members. As an organisation with no shareholders, and a similar ethos, we’re confident it’s the right home for our members and their future.”
Notes to editor
* where customers have chosen to include cancer cover
For more information
Bupa UK press office
T: 020 7833 7040
E: [email protected]
About CS Healthcare
CS Healthcare is a Friendly Society established in 1929 initially providing private medical insurance (PMI) only to the Civil Service and public sector. In 2019 the Society removed its eligibility criteria to enable anybody to obtain cover. CS Healthcare is a mono-line insurer, writing only PMI in the UK. CS Healthcare currently offers two products, “Your choice” its comprehensive modular product and “HealthBridge” a competitively priced healthcare plan which bridges the gap between the NHS and private cover. CS Healthcare has historically positioned itself to focus on the direct PMI market, but does offer some group schemes.
About Bupa
Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.
We are an international healthcare company serving over 31 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers.
We directly employ around 85,000 people, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, Chile, Poland, New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, the US, Middle East and Ireland. We also have associate businesses in Saudi Arabia and India.
