AccessHealth will offer two cover-level options from 1 January. Core will offer private GP appointments and mental health counselling, and Plus will offer cognitive behavioural therapy and consultations.
| Key features: |
| ■ No exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions |
| ■ No excess to pay |
| ■ No qualifying period to use the benefits |
| ■ Core level includes online private GP appointments, mental health counselling, musculoskeletal and 24/7 phone access to medical support |
| ■ Plus level includes cognitive behavioural therapy, consultations and diagnostics |
Benefiting employees who are not covered by ‘traditional’ medical insurance, AccessHealth focuses on early intervention and support, and, in turn, helps employers to tackle key health risks to productivity in their business, such as musculoskeletal conditions and mental ill health.
Adviser view
Alan Lakey, protection adviser at Hemel Hempstead-based Highclere Financial Services, said: “What leaps out is that if you talk to income protection providers, over 50 per cent of all of their claims come from musculoskeletal and mental issues. This would seem a sensibly targeted plan if providing cover in these areas, and if aimed at larger firms and companies taking on so many staff.
“Not excluding conditions is attractive for firms putting in schemes. The benefit is getting people back to work quicker than they would have done, and it also saves employers from redeploying or employing other staff and not paying out sick pay. So it’s a winner.”
