Once a care plan has been agreed, the money in a personal health budget can be managed in three different ways:
- A notional budget: The NHS holds the money, and buys or provides the goods and services patients have chosen.
- A third-party arrangement: An organisation legally independent of the patient and the NHS holds the money on their behalf, and buys or provides the goods and services chosen.
- A direct payment for healthcare: The money is transferred directly to the patient, and they buy the goods and services agreed in their care plan.