Making a positive impact on employee health for 2022

The needs of the UK workforce have changed over recent years. The challenges of the pandemic, a shift towards remote working and now the struggles around employee retention aptly named ‘The Great Resignation’ all means it’s becoming increasingly important for businesses to provide an attractive and more creative employee benefits package if they hope to recruit and retain talent.  

Yet how do employers set the tone that they really care and truly value their workforce?  Whilst there are several elements to this debate, one key factor that’s becoming increasingly important is consideration towards the provision of health benefits that employees will really value. This can be difficult to achieve in a world of diverse jobs, locations, and differing employee demographics. So, what’s the solution?

Employers are turning to health cash plans as an alternative solution in driving forward their employee health agenda across their whole workforce.

Whilst there is no one solution to this challenge, many employers are turning to health cash plans as an employee health benefit that can give real value to its employees. A recent survey found that more than 90% of organisations intend to introduce new wellbeing benefits this year¹. Our services can be an integral part of the solution and help your clients make a positive impact on their employees' health.

A health cash plan can help tackle health niggles before they become a bigger issue. 

A health cash plan is an insurance product where employees claim money back* on health bills such as dentistry, optical, physio and other key wellbeing treatments – some providers even include alternative therapies such as massages.  Employees can typically also access a 24/7 GP helpline, receive mental health, financial, and personal support via an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and face-to-face counselling sessions, should they need it.  Many health cash plans also offer mental health support via an app for those who aren’t ready to talk to someone just yet.  

So, as you can see a health cash plan has lots to offer!  

But more importantly, the money-back benefits and available health services on offer can go a long way to help ease the cost and accessibility barriers many employees face when addressing their own everyday health concerns.  

Offering a Health Cash Plan doesn’t need to break the bank…

Health cash plans are designed to keep costs affordable for both employer and staff, plans are offered as a company paid or employee paid benefit.  Many plans include cover for children too at no extra cost and partners can even be added for an extra charge – now that’s a family benefit employees will really value.

And what’s more, health cash plans can be designed to a specific employer’s workforce needs and budget. Recent research shows that the 3 most commonly reported health conditions, irrespective of organisation size, were musculoskeletal conditions, repetitive strains or injuries (19%); stress (18%); and anxiety, depression or other common mental ill-health conditions (11%)².  With these issues on the rise for many employers, a health cash plan can be designed around this to provide streamlined support and accessible services that employees will actually value. 

Why a Health Shield Cash Plan

Health Shield offers a range of health cash plans that suit any company needs whether that’s a construction company dealing with MSK issues or a tech company with increasing eye care costs, a retailer with mental health concerns or an SME who simply wants to cover a range of health benefits.  Our products are designed to support different companies’ needs and budgets.

What’s more, employees are excited to use the benefits of a health cash plan.

In 2021, Health Shield paid 435,000 claims to its members, that’s over £23 million in health care benefits which is an average of £68 back in the pocket of each member. And our intention is not to keep our customers waiting, in fact, 9 in 10 claims were processed within 2 working days last year despite COVID challenges.

We make it our aim to ensure employees understand the benefits our health cash plan can bring to everyday life and that their plan doesn’t become another employee benefit that’s never used.  We work with employers to deliver effective engagement programs that complement their internal communication channels to staff, so employees really understand the benefits a health cash plan can bring to their health and finances.

If you’re looking for an affordable employee health solution that your whole workforce will really value and you feel like a Health Shield Health Cash Plan could be a good fit, we’d love to talk to you. 

This is a financial promotion.

Health Shield Friendly Society Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

¹ https://employeebenefits.co.uk/poll-91-of-employees-aiming-to-bring-in-new-wellbeing-benefits/ 

² https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sickness-absence-and-health-in-the-workplace-understanding-employer-behaviour-and-practice/sickness-absence-and-health-in-the-workplace-understanding-employer-behaviour-and-practice-report

*The exact number of treatments covered and the amounts that can be claimed per year depends on the type and level of policy. Providers’ products and services may vary.