Engage Health Group

Tag: private health insurance

  • Private medical insurance is in high demand. Here’s why…

    Private medical insurance is in high demand. Here’s why…

    Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is experiencing a surge in demand, with a record 6.2 million people now covered in the UK.

    According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), PMI uptake rose by 7% in 2023, with employer schemes covering 4.7 million individuals—the highest level in over 30 years.

    But what’s driving this growth, and how can businesses maximise the success of their company PMI schemes?

    Are you considering a private health plan for your employees? Take advantage of our free quotation and advice service to find out how much it will cost. Use the chatbot on the right or call 01273 974419.

     

    Why is PMI becoming more popular?

    PMI is rapidly gaining traction in the UK, with millions opting for this coverage. Even younger people between 18 and 24 are more likely to use private medical insurance – thanks to their enthusiastic embrace of digital tools.

    Some of the forces propelling this trend include:

    Concern over increased NHS pressures

    Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) data shows private hospital admissions hit a record 900,000 in 2023, a 7% increase from 2022. This surge is attributed to more people turning to private healthcare services due to escalating wait times within the NHS system.

    A survey conducted by Vitality UK revealed that half of its customers cited long NHS wait times as their reason for investing in PMI.

    With the increasing pressure faced by the NHS and its resources stretched thin, individuals and businesses are increasingly turning toward PMI for quicker access to treatments. This ensures employees can return to work faster after being sick or injured.

    Additional medical treatments available

    New drugs may be available via private health insurance that are currently available on the NHS. This is also true of homeopathy. Meanwhile, some treatments are only sparingly provided on the NHS, such acupuncture, which can be included on a private plan.

    Increased flexibility

    With PMI, employees can often choose where and when they want their treatment and select a schedule that fits their lifestyle. This flexibility helps their treatment plan meet their personal needs.

    Quality of care

    While the NHS provides a brilliant service, a privately health scheme can provide access to superior facilities. For example, private patients can often stay overnight in a private room rather than a busy ward. According to the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), 18.7% of people believe PMI provides higher-quality treatments.

    Economic impact

    PMI is playing a crucial role in reducing economic inactivity. The ABI estimates that health insurance prevents 14 million sickness days annually, an amount comparable to the productivity of 12,500 full-time employees. This reinforces the government’s focus on improving workforce productivity through better health support.

    Before investing in a policy or renewing your current scheme, make use of a full free review courtesy of our award-winning advisors at Engage Health Group. Call 01273 974419 or email enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk.

     

    How to guarantee success with your company PMI scheme

    To make the most of your company health insurance policy, align it with your business goals and what your employees actually need. Here are some steps to help you make it a success:

    • Tailor your coverage to suit your needs: Work with an experienced broker to design a scheme that fits your workforce. Consider employee demographics, job roles, and any specific health concerns.
    • Promote benefits among employees: Employees can’t use what they don’t know exists. Communicate the benefits of your PMI scheme regularly through onboarding sessions, newsletters, and via one-on-one discussions.
    • Take advantage of additional benefits: Many PMI providers include perks like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), virtual GP services, and mental health support. Highlight these features to ensure employees see the full value of their coverage. You don’t need to have a diagnosis or even be ill to benefit from some of these services!
    • Review regularly: Review your PMI scheme’s performance and usage regularly. Use employee feedback to make adjustments where necessary. Enlist an impartial broker, like Engage Health Group, to perform a free policy review.
    • Offload admin to a good brokerage: Too often HR or finance teams get tied up in the knotty admin associated with health insurance policies. But a good brokerage like Engage Health Group can take care of the admin for you at no extra charge.

     

    Investing in Private Medical Insurance

    By investing in a PMI scheme, businesses can enhance employee wellbeing, reduce absenteeism, and improve productivity. With the right approach, a PMI scheme can be a powerful tool for building a healthier, more resilient workforce.

    If you’re considering implementing or refining a company PMI scheme, Engage Health Group can help you navigate your options and find the best solution for your team. Contact us today for more information.

  • 8 insider tips for buying Business Health Insurance the smart way

    8 insider tips for buying Business Health Insurance the smart way

    With 9 in 10 employees choosing health as their top life priority and NHS waiting lists mounting, it’s no wonder private medical insurance is so sought after right now.

    Employers can help support their staff by investing in a Business Health Insurance plan. But how do you find the best deal in a market full of providers offering different schemes with different price-points and features?

    Whether you’re thinking of buying Business Health Insurance for the first time, or reviewing your current scheme, this article will help you make the smartest decision.

    Get FREE one-to-one advice and support on health insurance by contacting our independent brokers on +44 (0)1273 974419 or via the chat box on the right.

    #1 Find out what your staff need

    Lots of policies are modular these days so a great place to begin is to get insights on what’s important to your staff. Perhaps psychiatric cover is a necessity for your team? Maybe limiting the amount of out-patient cover would be worthwhile? Could having access to a private GP in central London be a priority?

    The whole purpose of buying Business Health Insurance is to support the needs of your staff. So, the first crucial step – which you really shouldn’t gloss over! – is to consult your team and discover what it is they need.

    You can find out what your staff want via:

    • Group discussions
    • Regular 1-2-1s
    • Employee surveys
    • Assessing HR data on absences, staff turnover, usage of benefits currently offered
    • Tracking general workplace trends and shifting staff priorities
    • Considering demographics and how this can impact demand

    #2 Be cautious of sales people representing a single insurer

    While professional and knowledgeable in most instances, selling you their product – and their product alone – is an insurer’s main priority above anything else. Like all good sales people, they will focus on the great points of their offering, but can’t give you an impartial view of how they stack up against competitors.

    Product, benefits, features, services, administration, and claims can vary wildly between insurers, so how can this person be sure that your needs wouldn’t be better served elsewhere? Having a full breadth and understanding of the whole market is going to ensure you are leaving with the best deal.

    #3 Avoid online comparison websites

    Comparison sites can leave just about anyone confused and with more questions than when you began the whole process. The big comparison websites will often pass your business details onto third parties, resulting in numerous unexpected phone calls and emails from sales people.

    Yes, it is tempting to simply just click website links promising a “quick quote”, but realistically this will be an online form for your personal details agreeing for a sales person to get back in contact with you!

    #4 Consider the importance of wellbeing add-ons

    The success of the health insurance market relies heavily on healthy people being covered to offset the claims cost of those who become ill and need care. In recent years many insurers have started to provide wellness initiatives as part of their products to incentivise healthy behaviour and provide greater value to members. These extra wellbeing products are a fantastic way to boost your healthcare plan and show staff how you are responding to their needs.

    There are many add-ons and employee benefits that work well with a base Group Health Insurance policy:

    Looking for help buying the right health insurance policy for your staff? Contact our award-winning brokers on +44 (0)1273 974419 or click on the bottom right chat box.

    #5 Consider your hospital selection

    Are your staff going to benefit the most from having access to top-tier hospitals in Central London covered? Probably not. There is a common misconception that the amount a hospital charges for accommodation, treatments, and other services is directly related to clinical outcomes. This simply isn’t the case.

    A hospital selection more suited to your employee’s geographical location or based on thorough research addressing the needs and priorities of your staff can deliver handsome savings on your premium and still provide an excellent setting for any treatment.

    #6 Don’t be afraid to double check with consultant fees

    Whilst most insurers say they provide “Full Refund” for consultant costs, what most actually mean is that they will cover in full up to an amount they deem reasonable and customary for the procedure in question. This can mean that customers are left with a shortfall between what the consultant charges and what the insurer is willing to pay. Insurers often catch the brunt of customers’ frustrations at this point!

    Truth be told, if an insurer won’t pay a consultant’s bill in full, it’s likely the consultant is charging more than the typical cost for that procedure. So, with no clear evidence that their clinical outcomes, expertise, experience or re-admission rates warrant a higher value on their work, the cover isn’t going to cut it. Some insurers can genuinely provide full cover for consultants, surgeons and anesthetists so it’s important to consider your priorities here.

    #7 Policy Excess

    An excess is a great way to reduce premiums by agreeing to pay the first £XXX amount of a claim. If your staff are most concerned with very large healthcare costs, a great way to keep the premiums low is to offer options for a large excess.

    Keep in mind, however, that a large number of claims can mean that you have to pay out a lot of excess and it all adds up! The best type of excess is one which only charges excess once per person per policy year. This means that if the same person claims multiple times, you are not paying excess multiple times, only for the first claim in that year.

    Is raising the excess is the most cost-efficient way to buy Business Health Insurance? This will depend on the number of claims you’re likely to make and the stipulation in the terms. It’s another reason why employing an independent broker like Engage and getting free expert advice is highly recommended.

    Speaking of which….

    #8 Seek independent qualified advice

    Our final top tip for when you buy Business Health Insurance is to seek independent advice from a qualified intermediary who has access to all UK health insurance providers across the whole industry. Specialist health insurance brokers offer an impartial view of the market and provide you with prices from all insurers.

    In short, they will genuinely put your needs at the top of their priority list without having to shoehorn you into products which aren’t quite the right fit! With connections to all insurers, but no allegiance to any, there is the guarantee that any views of specific insurers (good, bad, and indifferent) are impartial and based on real customer experiences.

    At Engage Health Group, we help to ensure there are no nasty surprises encountered along the way, working to get you the perfect blend of employee benefits and health insurance policies for your staff and business. Coming at no extra cost to your business, we specialise in negotiating with insurance companies and finding the best quotes possible saving you and your HR teams the legwork.

    Contact us at enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or call +44 (0)1273 974419 for FREE no-obligation advice and support.