Aviva is launching a range of enhanced private medical insurance benefits for large corporate clients.
Employers insured by Aviva’s Optimum or Optimum Referral healthcare plans will have access to four new benefit options: an improved Gender Identity benefit, an improved Family Planning and Fertility cover, a new Menopause Service, and a Neurodevelopmental Pathway.
The expanded benefit adds to Aviva’s Gender Identity core cover, which will continue to be offered, and gives transitioning employees access to a wider range of benefits.
The NHS currently requires people to wait between two and five years before they can receive support for their gender identity; however, the cover offers quicker access to gender specialists, hormone initiation, and onward referral for surgical and non-surgical interventions that support gender transition.
Coverage includes surgical procedures and assistance, such as breast augmentation, voice feminization or masculinization, and face and breast augmentation surgeries. There is additional coverage available for hair removal (up to £20,000) and hair transplantation (up to £30,000).
These are in addition to coverage for procedures and assistance that are also offered through the NHS, such as mastectomy, development of a masculine chest, male-to-female genital surgery, and voice therapy for up to 20 sessions.
The new benefit also includes mental health counselling and additional consultations to stabilise hormone medicine beyond the current two-year term. Large corporate clients can purchase the coverage starting on January 1 2023.
From February 23, 2023, a new menopausal service will be accessible through the app for new and existing employers who select Aviva Digital GP to help their employees.
The programme offers both a symptom assessment tool that generates a thorough report and offers practical advice tailored to the individual’s replies, as well as an information hub with ideas and support to help address and manage menopause symptoms.
Additionally, employees have access to up to six 30-minute consultations with a menopause-trained nurse, during which time they can talk about their symptoms, lifestyle changes, and available treatments. If more medical intervention is necessary, the nurse may, upon request, refer the patient to a GP with expertise in the menopause.
Anyone over the age of 16 who is covered under the healthcare programme, including partners and family members, may use the service because the menopause can impact both the person experiencing it and those closest to them.
Corporate healthcare clients can pick Aviva’s enhanced Family planning and fertility cover to support their staff in accessing fertility treatment and broader family planning services.
Individuals with symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Tourette’s Syndrome will be supported by a new Neurodiversity pathway, an expert-led service provided by Onebright with the assistance of Aviva’s mental health claims team.
Any healthcare plan participant who is 7 years of age or older and exhibiting symptoms of a neurodevelopmental disorder shall have access to screening, evaluation, and talking therapy, as needed, after a diagnosis.
For people who have been given an ADHD diagnosis, there is also coverage for the stabilisation of their medication and up to two years of monitoring to support their GP care and their transition to NHS services.
The new pathway will launch as an optional benefit from 1 April 2023.
Aviva UK Health medical director Dr Doug Wright says: “UK employers are increasingly looking at enhancing their employee wellbeing support with services that although not traditionally covered by private medical insurance, will support their commitment to an inclusive and diverse workforce.
“This range of new benefit options provides personalised support for a variety of common wellbeing needs that are increasingly important to employees and will enable employers to really demonstrate their care and compassion for their valued workforce.”