Around 65 per cent of employees now receive health benefits through their employer, with 20 per cent using them at least once a month, up from 15 per cent last year, according to Simplyhealth.
According to the research, nearly three in 10 employees with benefits say they had not used them despite needing to.
The research suggests that more than a third (35 per cent) said they would be more likely to use health benefits if they were easier to access. In comparison, 23 per cent said clearer communication from employers about available support would encourage greater use.
Around 66 per cent of employees who had used their benefit reported barriers, including lack of clarity, reimbursement concerns and cost issues.
Meanwhile, 17 per cent said their benefits only partially covered treatment costs, leaving them to pay the remainder, while 14 per cent were reluctant to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement.
Some employees said they were unclear on what benefits were included in their plan or whether their condition qualified for support.
Additionally, 10 per cent said they could not access their preferred healthcare provider through their plan, while 8 per cent said they had to pay for a GP referral before accessing treatment.
The research suggests that employers and providers may need to simplify access to workplace healthcare through clearer communication, faster reimbursement processes and more straightforward claims journeys.
Simplyhealth says it is aiming to reduce these barriers through online dermatology, digital mental health support and AI-supported faster claims processing.
Simplyhealth head of clinical product Dr Macarena Staudenmaier says: “It’s encouraging to see so many employers investing in workplace health benefits at a time when they are contending with many competing financial demands. This commitment can make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing and to long-term business outcomes.
“There’s a big opportunity to increase the impact of this investment by helping teams feel confident about using the benefits available to them. Simple steps can go a long way: communicate clearly and regularly what’s covered, explain how to access support, and make signposting part of onboarding and everyday line-manager conversations.
“When employees understand their healthcare options, especially how to get help quickly when they need it, they’re more likely to use benefits early, when support can be most effective. That not only improves engagement and return on investment, it also helps employers build a workplace culture rooted in preventative healthcare.”
Simplyhealth CEO Paul Schreier says: “We want our members to make the most of our services. Over the last two years we’ve relentlessly focused our efforts to remove friction and pain points from everyday healthcare – building a simple digital front door through the Simplyhealth app, speeding up claims by integrating AI into our operations, and expanding affordable services people can actually use.
“2.8 million working-age people are now economically inactive due to ill health[1]. It is critical that employers and health providers work together to break down barriers to access experienced by employees to support a healthy and productive workforce.”
