More than 2.2m people used health services offered via insurers in 2023, with almost 80 per cent of those accessing these services through workplace schemes.
The data shows the total number of people using these service increased by 23 per cent on the previous 12 month period.
These figures, from the Association of British Insurers, include those accessing virtual GPs, mental health support, physiotherapy, early intervention and rehabilitation services that are now included on many on insurer-funded group risk and PMI policies.
Virtual GPs are amongst the most well-used service, with the number of remote consultations reaching 1.7 million in 2023, a 21 per cent increase on the year before. The ABI says This equates to over 4,700 consultations per day across 2023.
Physiotherapy and tailored exercise plans were implemented in 1.63 million musculoskeletal (MSK) interventions, up 29 per cent from 2022.
Approximately 1.33 million mental health and counselling, therapy, and digital-CBT sessions were delivered, an 11 per cent increase compared to 2022.
Given these numbers the ABI says it is vital that the Government recognises the role health and protection insurers play in helping people stay well and in work, and reflects this in the upcoming Budget. It is calling on the government to reduce tax barriers to e broader access to workplace health and protection insurance and make it more accessible for SMEs and low earners.
This includes freezing Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) until fiscal headroom allows for a reduction.
The ABI points out that around 9.19 million working-age adults are currently economically inactive in the UK, and around 2.8 million cite long-term sickness as their primary reason for this inactivity.
It says insurer-provided health services can help bridge this gap, and employers who offer this cover to staff also have an important role to play.
The ABI says The launch of Sir Charlie Mayfield’s ‘Keep Britain Working’ review has shifted policymakers’ focus to tackling health-based economic inactivity, and more can be done to support these efforts.
Dr Yvonne Braun, director of policy, long-term savings, health and protection, says: “Insurers, government and employers all play a critical role in unlocking the full potential of health and protection insurance. Our data reinforces the need for a joined-up approach to workforce health that can help boost uptake of preventative care, early interventions and timely support offered through insurance. By working together, we can build a healthier, more resilient workforce and reduce long-term sickness and economic inactivity.”
