Group Health Insurance Benefits for Employees and Employers
Group health insurance offers a host of benefits for employees and employers alike. Group health insurance plans for small businesses generally cover businesses that employ up to 50 individuals, whilst group plans for large businesses, also known as corporate health plans, cover companies that employ hundreds or thousands of people. Regardless of the size of your company, you and your employees can enjoy the rewards of better health if you invest in a group policy for your valued staff.
Benefits for Employees
Group health insurance makes personal medical care available to employees who might not otherwise be able to afford individual private medical cover for themselves or their loved ones. Because group health insurance covers a significant number of people, the insurance company's risks are minimised. Therefore, insurers offer lower rates to companies than they might offer to an individual or a family. As an employer, you may pass along these rates to your employees by giving them coverage at a reduced rate or by paying for their coverage altogether.
A typical company health package includes the benefits that the average person uses most frequently. Standard benefits include access to prompt, individualised consultations with physicians, minor surgeries and other day patient procedures, X-rays and other diagnostic tests, inpatient treatment at private hospitals and cancer treatment for certain stages of the disease. Services like preventive care, emergency treatment, vaccinations, allergy treatments and maternity care are still covered under NHS.
Group health insurance plans give employees access to a confidential 24 hour helpline staffed by clinical experts. With access to medical personnel by phone, your employees may receive immediate responses to their health concerns. If additional assistance is needed, they will be referred to an Accident and Emergency department or to their GP for further evaluation. A GP may then provide a referral to a specialist for follow up care or diagnostic evaluation.
Through group health insurance, employees receive certain benefits that may not be available through an individual plan. Some company health insurance providers offer educational courses and health assessments for employees to help them achieve and maintain maximum wellness. Educational courses may address smoking cessation, fitness and weight control, diabetes prevention or health for mature adults. Assessments may include general medical screens, female health screens and exams for adults over 65.
Benefits for Employers
Employers receive numerous benefits from a group health insurance plan. Group health insurance helps employees maintain their physical well being, which results in a more satisfied, productive work force. With private medical insurance to supplement NHS benefits, employees who have health concerns won't have to struggle with the frustrations of a bureaucratic system or the discomfort of crowded facilities.
Because your employees will have access to faster medical care, they may have fewer absences from work. Illness and injury are among the most common reasons for minor absences, which take a great toll on employers financially. With faster access to physicians, day patient services and diagnostic tests, your employees may miss less work due to their own health concerns. If your group plan offers family coverage, your employees who have children will also enjoy faster care for their little ones.
Group health insurance benefits for employees and employers allow companies and staff alike to experience the rewards of flexible medical care. Along with the benefits that group medical cover offers to companies, this valuable product gives employees the opportunity to extend their treatment options. Group health insurance conveys the message that the company is concerned about the welfare of its employees and their families, which may improve staff morale and increase employee loyalty.
We were actually surprised how easy to use the site was. We found a new policy that has the same coverage as our old one but is 20% cheaper. 
Chloe and Jack A, Cardiff UK
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