All Healthcare and wellbeing articles – Page 244
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Article
Jelf Employee Benefits launches paper on cancer care
Jelf Employee Benefits has launched a white paper on cancer care.The paper is designed to educate employers on the options available to help them manage their costs and care better for their employees.The white paper includes details on:NHS shortfalls.Issues with private medical insurance (PMI).Pressures on employers.Alternative cancer cover.Iain Laws, director ...
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Article
Bupa launches health benefit for all UK staff
Bupa has launched its diagnosis benefit, Business Fit, to all 30,000 UK employees.The healthcare provider’s aim is to offer early intervention to help reduce sickness absence, as well as to diagnose mental health issues quickly and provide physiotherapy treatment for muscle, bone and joint conditions.The benefit includes:Quick diagnosis and treatment.Physiotherapy ...
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Article
Employers should fund PMI to aid return to work
A court ruling in a case involving work-related stress has determined that employers could be required to fund private medical insurance (PMI) as part of a ‘reasonable adjustment’ to help employees return to work.The claimant in Croft Vets Ltd v Butcher, who had been a long-serving employee, left work with ...
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ArticleAbsence could be cut by over a third
The UK and Germany have the worst sickness absence rates in Europe, lagging behind countries such as France, Poland and Romania, according to a report by the Fit for Work Europe Coalition.The report, which was written by The Work Foundation, found that an extra one million employees could be at ...
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Article
48% feel stressed at work
Nearly half (48%) of respondents feel stressed at work two to three or more times a week, according to research by Axa PPP Healthcare.The Axa PPP Healthcare Workplace wellbeing survey, which surveyed 500 small and medium-sized employers (SMEs) and 500 employees, found that two-thirds (63%) of employer respondents do not ...
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Article
Le Creuset launches gym benefit
French kitchenware manufacturer Le Creuset has launched free gym services for its employees.The organisation, which is aiming to increase employee health and wellbeing, has appointed Personal Touch Fitness to manage onsite facilities for more than 60 staff at its UK branch in Andover, Hampshire.The corporate fitness provider also provides fitness ...
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Opinion
Colin Boxall: One size PMI does not fit all
Bupa’s market share and influence can, arguably, enable it to mould medical insurance thinking more effectively than other insurers.Its bold approach to managing treatment costs, in turn managing client premiums, has been validated to some degree by the recent Competition Commission findings highlighting that hospital costs in some areas should ...
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AnalysisKey points about private medical insurance open referral
If you read nothing else, read this…Some insurers now offer the option to restrict consultant choice for claimants.Exact terms differ significantly between insurers.This approach can reduce costs and improve quality.But claimants unable to access consultants of their choice can be disappointed.Effective communication programmes are essential.Instead of claimants being able to ...
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Article
Westfield Health to rebrand
EXCLUSIVE: Westfield Health is to rebrand to focus on its almost 100-year history, its not-for-profit status and its employer-paid health cash plan proposition.It will reveal the new brand, which includes a new logo and strapline, ‘Harder Working Health Cover’ at Employee Benefits Live on 25 and 26 September at National ...
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Article
Government launches workplace health service
The government has launched a workplace health service, which aims to help small and medium-sized employers (SMEs) manage both physical and mental ill health in the workplace.The free online service, Health for Work Adviceline, was initially trialled in 2011.The launch follows the government’s response into sickness absence in January 2013.The ...
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Article
Buyer's guide to health cash plans 2013
What are health cash plans?Health cash plans are designed to cover everyday healthcare costs such as a trip to the dentist; a new pair of glasses; or a session with a physiotherapist. Once a policyholder has received treatment covered by their plan they claim back the money from the cash ...
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Article
Employees would consider using dental plans if available
Just under two-thirds (63%) of employee respondents without a dental plan would consider taking up one if their employer offered it, according to research by Denplan.Its 2013 Dental benefit survey, which questioned 503 benefits professionals and more than 4,000 UK adults, found that 42% of employer respondents in the process ...
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Article
Confessions of a benefits manager: A healthy obsession
Indeed, the Higher Beings over there wouldn’t be bothered if it wasn’t for the fact that staff illness costs money. Someone has woken up to the fact that our staff are not the healthiest bunch, and this costs us in terms of medical insurance, not to mention life insurance if ...
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Article
Debbie Lovewell: Positive impact of exercise
Yet, thanks to a gym opening a mere stone’s throw from Employee Benefits’ offices, this has all begun to change.One pleasant surprise has been the positive impact of lunch-time gym sessions on mood, energy levels and afternoon productivity. It certainly ties in with research by HR recruitment firm Ortus, which ...
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Article
Royal Mail offers eye screening for staff
Royal Mail has offered an eye-screening programme to employees at its Southampton Mail Centre.The aim of the event, which tested the vision of 500 staff, was to encourage non-desk-based employees to get their eyesight tested and to be referred to a qualified optician for a full eye exam. Some of ...
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Article
Lack of competition raises PMI prices
A lack of competiton in the private healthcare market at a local level has led to higher private medical insurance (PMI) premiums, according to the Competition Commission.Its Provisional findings on privately-funded healthcare services report, which sets out the independent public body’s initial findings, also found that private hospital operators have ...
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Article
Warrington Wolves launches health cash plan
Warrington Wolves has launched a health cash plan for its office-based staff at the rugby team’s Halliwell Jones stadium.The plan, which is provided by health cash plan provider Paycare, enables 34 administrative employees to reclaim 100% of the money they spend on healthcare services, such as dental, optical and specialist ...
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AnalysisCapita launches health and wellbeing analysis tool
Capita Employee Benefits has launched a health and wellbeing analysis tool designed to help employers make better decisions about their health and wellbeing strategy in order to potentially reduce insurance costs.. The Corporate Health Analysis Tool (Chat) analyses data from all benefits offered by an employer, generating specific information on ...
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Article
John Lewis extends physio service to all staff
The John Lewis Partnership has extended its physiotherapy service to all 84,500 John Lewis and Waitrose employees.The retail organisation previously offered the service, which is provided by Physio Med, to its Waitrose employees, but has now extended it across the partnership.It was keen to reduce the incidence, duration and recurrence ...
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Article
Heatwave causes spike in absence rates
Almost a third (30%) of respondents have noticed a rise in absence rates during the UK’s recent hot weather, according to research commissioned by PMI Health Group.The study, which was conducted among 93 medium-sized and large employers, found that more than half (54%) of respondents do not operate flexible-working policies ...