Phil Austin

EXCLUSIVE: Less than one-fifth (19%) of UK respondents are covered by private medical insurance (PMI) provided by their employer, according to research by Cigna.

Its 360 wellbeing survey, which surveyed 14,219 adults across 13 countries, including 1,013 adults in the UK, also found that 61% of UK respondents do not have access to a workplace wellbeing programme.

The research also found:

  • 58% of UK respondents believe a workplace wellbeing programme can help them achieve positive health outcomes.
  • 30% of UK respondents have sufficient employer-provided medical insurance to cover their current medical treatment needs.
  • 45% of UK respondents would consider a mandatory private healthcare scheme provided by the government.
  • Less than one in 10 (9%) UK respondents have employer-provided dental benefits.
  • 36% of UK respondents have had a general dental exam in the past year.

Phil Austin (pictured), managing director at Cigna UK Healthcare Benefits, said: “Employers can certainly do more to help keep their employees healthy and well. With only a fifth of the UK population covered by a private medical plan, offering this benefit to employees is a good place to start.”