Global consulting firm Charles River Associates carries out an annual benefits review.
In April 2010, it introduced an employer-paid health cash plan, provided by Westfield Health, for its London-based staff. Peg Dahl, associate director, global benefits, says: “This complements the supplemental medical and dental insurance we already offer and gives employees easier and greater access to everyday healthcare.”
As well as enabling staff to access additional benefits such as optical care, maternity benefits and discounted health club membership, there is some overlap with the firm’s existing private medical insurance (PMI) scheme, including cover for scans, therapies and consultations.
Duplicating cover in this way enables smaller claims to be made through the health cash plan, helping to keep PMI premium increases more manageable.
The cash plan has been well received by employees. Since its launch, threequarters of eligible staff have enrolled and, of these, 60% have made a claim.
“We have had really good feedback from employees,” says Dahl. “They enjoy having this benefit and have made good use of it. We want to be regarded as an employer of choice."
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