Healthcare scheme

Jackie1813

Can an employer add you to a healthcare scheme without your permission? My employer has added me to a Bupa scheme that will cost me as a BIK.
I knew nothing about it  and asked to cancel but they are telling me they cannot cancel for a month. My problem is that as someone coming up retirement it will cost me  around £1,500 in tax.

Grumpy_chap

Jackie1813 said:

Can an employer add you to a healthcare scheme without your permission? My employer has added me to a Bupa scheme that will cost me as a BIK.
I knew nothing about it  and asked to cancel but they are telling me they cannot cancel for a month. My problem is that as someone coming up retirement it will cost me  around £1,500 in tax.

Will it cost you £1.5k in tax, or is the taxable benefit £1.5k?

Veteransaver

They often do add you if you have just been taken on. But the bik is usually added monthly, so you'll only have the one month (presumably £1500/12) as income, and then taxed on that. So about £50 in tax assuming you are high rate tax payer? 
£1500 benefit a year seems quite high though, is that just for you or does it include spouse/dependents
My Bupa scheme is about £800, just for me.

Jackie1813

No, the premium being paid is £7,000 just for me

Jackie1813

The premiums for the scheme are based on age and as I am over 60 it is very very expensive

Jackie1813

But my question is can they just sign me up for it without my consent.

sheramber

What are the circumstances leading to it.

Are you a new employee?

Of so, was it mentioned at interview or noted in contract?

If not a new employee
 

Is this an existing scheme  or a new introduction  by your employer? 

DullGreyGuy

Jackie1813 said:

Can an employer add you to a healthcare scheme without your permission? My employer has added me to a Bupa scheme that will cost me as a BIK.
I knew nothing about it  and asked to cancel but they are telling me they cannot cancel for a month. My problem is that as someone coming up retirement it will cost me  around £1,500 in tax.

In principle they could, subject to a number of factors, but it would often depend on what underwriting there is on the scheme or not. If it's an underwritten policy then they need you to complete a medical declaration and an employer won't have sufficient information to be able to do that on your behalf. 

Penguin_

Jackie1813 said:

No, the premium being paid is £7,000 just for me

Hell of scheme then!! Our premium for someone who is over 60 is just over £1000 & is a full healthcare scheme.

silvercar

These super high premiums often happen in relatively small companies. Everyone is offered the opportunity to join the scheme, but the cost combined with the benefit in kind tax often makes people less likely to take up the offer. This leaves those that do take part having a bias towards older employees and those with health conditions. This in turn pushes up the cost for everyone, making it unattractive for new comers. 

OH and I have just been quoted nearly £12k to join his company scheme. Early 60s, with past health conditions, but not much running currently. 

Jackie1813

The company had an old Axa scheme that I as a newer employee knew nothing about.
A new scheme with Bupa that is a lot more expensive has been signed up to and I have been put on it with know information about the scheme or having signed anything .
The company is small and the premiums large , the person who has done this is very protective of what he has done and finds it very offensive that I have questioned it at all.