In this week’s blog post we focus on the importance of mental health, finding suitable private medical insurance, and reviewing data which highlights the need for proactive mental health care. Through speaking to Matt Howells, who is the founding partner of Vizion Health, the significance of private medical insurance for employers is paramount. As I’m sure many of you have realised during lockdown, having the tools available to you in order to protect your mental wellbeing is a priority for us all. When thinking about your mental health, it may be helpful to think of in terms of personal assets. In other words, associating mental wellness as valuable and worth safeguarding, as you would to protect your physical health or valued possessions.
Often, we wouldn’t hesitate to consider private medical insurance in case of a physical health emergency, so it’s important to consider the possibility of urgent mental health needs too. Similarly, many wouldn’t think twice about finding home insurance which is fit to cover your individual circumstances, so too should we ensure private medical insurance is suitable for the line of work your employees may be in, or for you personally. For example, if you are an employer of staff in a highly pressurised environment, it is important to realise your employees may be more likely to experience the effects of stress and anxiety. As an employer, it is essential to put effective measures in place to prevent burnout or breakdown, and having a supportive workplace helps to do this. Being able to talk about the stresses of work or home makes it much easier for employees to come forward for advice, and for employers to provide appropriate support. Both of which are essential in reducing the likelihood and severity of employee mental health needs.
When looking to provide private medical insurance as an employer, speaking to a specialist broker is beneficial to ensure the cover is suitable for your workplace. Recently, one of our providers Bupa, have announced changes to some of their previous exclusions, which relate to mental health care. Having scrapped the ‘three year chronic rule’, employees with this cover are now supported with recurring conditions. This is significant for those with mental health conditions, as these often recur throughout someone’s lifetime, however this does still exclude pre-existing mental health conditions. Through this, employees have cover for follow-up appointments and medication reviews with a psychiatrist, both of which support mental health recovery. Additionally, Bupa have expanded their cover to cater for mental health conditions as a result of alcohol or drug abuse, and self harm. Again, this is an important step in providing more inclusive cover and we hope to see more providers follow suit in the near future.
We have also observed trends in data from our other providers, which demonstrate the way private medical insurance is changing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. For example, there has been a reduction in the number of people using private medical cover for therapy, which has been reflected nationwide. This appears to be associated with people not wanting to initiate therapy during lockdown, perhaps due to lack of privacy or balancing working from home with childcare. However, we have witnessed an increase in those seeking treatment for conditions as a result of the pandemic, such as increased bereavement support, and anxiety relating to lockdown and the easing of restrictions. As a result, teams have undergone specialist training, including the post-traumatic impact of being on, and coming off ventilation in hospital as part of coronavirus treatment.
Having briefly explored your options for private medical insurance, here are a few key points to summarise what measures to put in place when considering taking out cover for your employees or for yourself.
- Do not delay in making sure you are properly protected for employee or personal mental health needs.
- Speaking to a specialist broker will help ensure you are getting the most appropriate cover for you or your business. Matt Howells and the team at Vizion will be more than happy to assist with any queries you may have.
- Lastly, make sure to evaluate your workplace environment and proactively act on the mental health impact of work for your employees. A supportive working environment is greatly beneficial in helping people to talk about their mental health, and to seek support when they need it.
