Westfield Health has made changes to its healthcare cash plans, focusing on preventative healthcare, in a bid to keep pace with changes in the NHS.
The company's Advantage and Good4You healthcare cash plans now offer policyholders access to a GP telephone consultation service at any time of their choice from anywhere in the world, and a health club concession. Entitlements in relation to dental claims have also been increased by 15%; and by 5% for optical services.
But premiums for policies above Level 1 cover will increase by between 7% and 10%.
Jill Davies, executive director of Westfield Health, said: "NHS patients now spend less time in hospital and the emphasis is increasingly on preventative healthcare - keeping people in the best possible health to prevent problems arising.
"It has become clear that if Westfield is to continue to provide plans which meet the health needs of our policyholders and are consistent with NHS services, then we needed to consider what benefits we offer in these core plans."
Benefits that have been removed include cover for travel to NHS hospitals and critical illness cover. The changes come into effect immediately for new policyholders and for existing customers on 1 January.