Westfield Health has launched hospital treatment insurance that offers employees access to more than 1,300 surgical and medical procedures.
The cover, which starts at £1.24 per employee per week, enables employees to receive treatment at any hospital in the UK where private treatment packages are available.
The range of procedures covered include hip and knee replacements, slipped discs, varicose veins, cataracts, abdominal hernias, and gynaecological problems.
Employees are referred by a consultant and then allocated a case manager who will source and arrange the treatment package to suit their needs.
The insurance is available as a standalone product, or can be used in conjunction with a new or existing health cash plan.
Paul Shires, executive director – sales and marketing at Westfield Health, said: “While the NHS is excellent at providing care for life-threatening illnesses and emergencies such as cancer and heart disease, patients requiring non-urgent treatments may begin to suffer, and face longer waiting times for routine surgery and scans.
“Delays in non-urgent medical care can increase sickness absence and place a heavy financial burden on employers.
"Hospital treatment insurance will help employers to manage staffing levels more effectively and lower costs, while employees – many of whom will be able to access private care for the first time – will benefit hugely from quick treatment and having more choice and control over where and when they have their surgery.”
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