There are powerful forces reshaping the world of business healthcare.
Medical inflation is driving costs higher, whilst rising chronic disease, including cancer and cardiovascular conditions, is making claims more complex.
Bupa is also seeing sustained pressure on the NHS, which means that private medical insurance (PMI) is increasingly becoming relied upon as a point of access into the healthcare system. This means that PMI demand is increasing; employers are turning to us, not just for insurance, but for support to keep their employees performing at their best.
At Bupa we believe that business health cover is no longer about minimising sick days, it’s about maximising every workday. Employees are at the heart of delivering change and transformation in your clients’ businesses and therefore their health and wellbeing is a strategic business priority, for them and for us.
That’s why we’re transforming our health insurance. ConnectedCare: our healthcare model We’re connecting our health clinics, hospital and national provider networks, digital healthcare app and integrated treatment pathways, to help provide better clinical outcomes for your clients’ employees. We’re calling it ConnectedCare because it connects every element of Bupa’s unique proposition to create a seamless and integrated healthcare experience.
We are leveraging our position as a healthcare specialist, connecting employees to our expert clinicians, hospitals, health and dental clinics, and the best independent network of UK-wide healthcare providers.
ConnectedCare is better for people — on-demand consultations at their convenience, an innovative digital claims experience and treatment that’s quicker and easier to manage. For example, employees can access mental health therapy within 10 days with Bupa Clinics, or a physiotherapy consultation in just 48 hours.
ConnectedCare is better for health outcomes — our specialist cancer centres offer same day all-clear or onward referral for further tests, which means earlier detection and treatment. ConnectedCare is better for business — your clients’ employees will follow the most clinically appropriate treatment pathway, aiming to get them the right treatment, faster, and back to their healthy selves. This also manages costs more effectively and reduces the risk of overtreatment, which for musculoskeletal (MSK) claims alone has a 20% cost reduction.
Connecting people to better mental health treatment Mental health provision is just one example of how ConnectedCare delivers the best possible health outcomes for people and ensures value for businesses.
We know how acute the mental health challenge is in UK workplaces. Over 17 million working days were lost in 2022/23 to stress, depression, or anxiety. Mental health conditions are estimated to cost the British economy nearly £118bn every year, and the cost to employers has risen by 25% since 2019.
Your clients know how these figures are impacting their own businesses; from staff sickness and decreased wellbeing to employees not performing at their best and high levels of presenteeism attributed to mental health conditions. Unfortunately, they are all becoming the ‘new normal’ in the modern workplace. Improving mental health for everyone is a challenge we must all face, and we know how important our role is as a healthcare provider. Mental health support and treatment is too fragmented, so we wanted to create a more integrated approach.
ConnectedCare supports employees’ mental health journey when they need extra support. Initially, our wellbeing content helps them understand their mental health and our services. Then, our Online Mental Wellbeing Programme, in partnership with SilverCloud Health, gives them the tools to manage their mental health and wellbeing better.
If an employee needs further diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing support using our mental health services, then ConnectedCare means their experience is seamless. From the moment they engage with our team they are on a clear and structured pathway, which begins with a 24/7 nurse-led therapist assessment and instant referral to our Bupa Clinics’ Talking Therapies service if required.
This provides quick and convenient consultations with counsellors, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, and cognitive behavioural therapists (CBT). ConnectedCare means we’re committed to providing access to these therapies for employees within 10 days. Their personal Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) Care Co-ordinator will oversee their treatment journey to ensure they complete their treatment successfully and return them to optimal health and productivity.
ConnectedCare is our approach to more streamlined healthcare. With clear pathways and timely interventions, we can foster healthier, more productive work environments. ConnectedCare connects people to better healthcare, empowering them to thrive at work and beyond.
If you want to find out more about ConnectedCare, contact your Bupa Account Manager.
You can download a pdf of the full report here: Benefits Expert Corporate Healthcare and Cash Plan Round Table
