When most people think about health cash plans, they usually think about the everyday health costs and there is no doubt that being able to claim cashback for dental check-ups, eye tests, contact lenses and even
tooth-whitening procedures make health cash plans an attractive proposition for employees.
However, health cash plans also offer employers and employees so much more than what is just referred to as the core benefits. Most plans now include services that can help to reduce absenteeism, prevent illness, keep employees healthier and encourage an earlier return to work. We all know that employees who feel happy and well are much more likely to be engaged and productive in the workplace.
Some of the most exciting new benefits are those that can proactively help employees manage their wellbeing and detect the early signs of illness so they can receive treatment quicker. With the challenges of busy lifestyles and difficulties in accessing health care in the UK today, these services can make a big difference to employee health and wellbeing and help protect an organisation’s most vital resource. Although some of these benefits are available separately from individual suppliers, with a health cash plan employers and employees can save time and money by encompassing a range of different benefits under one umbrella scheme.
Health and wellbeing benefits
There are a wide range of services that employers should look out for, which can help employees to proactively manage their health and wellbeing.
The first of these is cancer screening. With around one out of twp Britons getting cancer over their lifetime, cancer is now a serious issue for individuals and companies, according to figures from Check4Cancer. With this benefit employees can get discounts on screening services that can detect the early signs of breast, bowel, lung, prostate and skin cancer.
Second, online health assessments combined with personal coaching services, online health portals can provide a wide-range of health advice, information and support.
Other such services include: Physio triage - musculoskeletal problems contribute to a high volume of absenteeism each year. With this service employees can talk to professionals on the phone for an initial assessment and get treatment advice before being referred to a physiotherapist; a 24/7 virtual GP surgery – while it can take weeks to get an appointment with a GP, here employees can quickly talk to a qualified doctor by phone or webcam anytime of the day or night; 24/7 counselling and support helplines can help to look after the mental health of employees by providing practical information and professional support on issues such as stress, debt and housing, health and family matters; employee assistance programmes – in addition to 24/7 counselling helplines, an EAP scheme can provide face-to-face counselling sessions; home assistance cover which can provide personal care or domestic assistance to help employees after pre-arranged hospital stays of two or more nights; fitness and exercise – maintaining fitness is crucial to everyday health. Many providers offer special discounted rates at a wide range of fitness clubs and gyms across the UK; and finally online reward portals. Establishing a good work–life balance is increasingly important in today’s hectic world. Reward portals can encourage employees to enjoy their leisure time by helping their money go further with exclusive deals and discounts.
There really is so much more to today’s health cash plans than meets the eye and new benefits are being added all the time.
Jennie Doyle is head of marketing at Health Shield.
