Who does what in private healthcare

Insurers, brokers, hospitals, consultants, cash plans and employer schemes each do a different job and are paid in a different way. These pages explain which is which, what each is regulated to do, and how to check any of them yourself. We name no companies.

• What a health insurer doesWhat an insurer does, how it is paid, what it is regulated to do and what protection you have if something goes wrong.
• What an insurance broker or adviser doesWhat a broker or adviser does, how it is paid, what it is regulated to do and what protection you have if something goes wrong.
• What a private hospital group doesWhat a private hospital group does, how it is paid, what it is regulated to do and what protection you have if something goes wrong.
• What a private consultant doesWhat a private consultant does, how it is paid, what it is regulated to do and what protection you have if something goes wrong.
• What a health cash plan provider doesWhat a cash plan provider does, how it is paid, what it is regulated to do and what protection you have if something goes wrong.
• What an employer scheme or medical trust doesWhat an employer scheme or medical trust does, how it is paid, what it is regulated to do and what protection you have if something goes wrong.
• How to check any insurer, adviser or hospital yourselfHow to check any insurer, adviser or hospital yourself: the official registers to use, what each one tells you and what to do if something does not match.