A report from Association of British Insurers (ABI) has found a 23% year on year increase in number of policyholders who used the add on medical services provided by their health or protection insurance plans. As per the report 2.2 million people used these medical services in 2023 versus 1.8 million in 2022. The services included virtual GPs, physiotherapy and mental health services. The report showed that these services were used 10.3 million times by policyholders in 2023, a year on year increase of 22% over 2022.
Some interesting statistics from the report include:-
- 1.73 million virtual GP consultations in 2023, a 21% year on year increase.
- 1.63 million musculoskeletal (MSK) interventions through physiotherapy and tailored exercise plans in 2023, a 29% year or year increase
- 1.33 million mental health counselling and therapy sessions (including cognitive behavioural therapy sessions) in 2023, an 11% year on year increase.
Half (51%) of these add on medical services interactions were for prevention, diagnosis and to offer early care to individuals, helping them to prevent illnesses, manage conditions, receive treatment or support their return to work.
Square Health medical services provided with Realm Protection Insurance policies
Realm Protection's Accident, Sickness and Unemployment Insurance and Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance policies, include a suite of medical services provided by SQUARE HEALTH that can be accessed through a mobile app. Policyholders have access to four sought after digital health products that can help them prevent illness, get diagnosed and early medical care.
- Digital GP: The digital GP can provide clinical advice, issue private prescriptions, provide sick note and make recommendations for further treatment. The Digital GP can also provide wellness advice where appropriate. Each policyholder, their spouse/partner and children up to the age of 18 are entitled to a total of six consultations per annum.
- Health MOT: Square Health can arrange a Health MOT for policyholders, for annual assessment on more than 20 health markers, using a simple blood test kit. The health markers include kidney health, liver health, diabetes risk, cholesterol status and bone health. It is available to each Realm policyholder once per year
- Mental Health Support (counselling services): Square Health mental health offering provides quick and easy access to Mental Health professionals through mobile app for initial screening and triage. Post triage, the beneficiary can access the SQUARE Health's face to face interaction network or use their digital pathway for mental health services. Each policyholder, their spouse/partner and children up to the age of 18 are entitled to a total of six consultations per annum.
- Physiotherapy services: Square Health mobile app provides access to an extensive suite of Physiotherapy services. The initial assessment is provided by qualified physiotherapists via video consultations. Once the treatment programme has been designed for the beneficiary, they would be sent their exercises via the Mobile App and monitored. Each policyholder and their spouse/partner has access to a total of 6 physiotherapy sessions per year.
Conclusion
While wait time for a GP appointment continues to be long in many parts of the country, there is a rising demand for digital medical services provided as add on benefits with protection policies. While adoption of these services is increasing more work needs to be done to spread awareness about digital medical services like virtual GP, health MOTs, physiotherapy, mental health services etc among the general public to reduce the stress on the health infrastructure and support a healthy UK workforce.