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New analysis shows a 23% increase in the number of people who used insurer-provided health services in 2023, highlighting the expanding role of health and protection insurers in supporting a healthy UK population and workforce. The report from the ABI, the voice of the insurance and long-term savings sector, shows that roughly 2.2 million people used insurer-provided health services across the year, 23% more than in 2022 (1.8 million). Customers accessed these services 10.3 million times to help them prevent illnesses, manage conditions, receive treatment or support their return to work, a 22% increase from 2022. Over half (51%) of these interactions were for prevention, diagnosis and to offer early care to individuals.  Employers played a crucial role in uptake. Almost four out of five people (77%) who accessed these services did so through workplace schemes, highlighting the invaluable contribution employers already make to support workforce health and a clear opportunity to leverage the workplace as a platform to expand upon this trend. A range of services were used across 2023:

• Virtual GP remote consultations reached 1.73 million, a 21% increase compared to 2022. This equates to over 4,700 per day across 2023.
• Physiotherapy and tailored exercise plans were implemented in 1.63 million musculoskeletal (MSK) interventions, up 29% from 2022.
• Approximately 1.33 million mental health and counselling, therapy, and digital-CBT sessions were delivered, an 11% increase compared to 2022.

Approximately 9.19 million working-age adults (16–64) are currently economically inactive in the UK. Of those, 2.8 million cite long-term sickness as their primary reason for inactivity (1). This indicates that there is a gap in the support currently available to the workforce (2). While insurer-provided health services are already working to bridge this gap, employers who offer this cover to staff also have an important role to play. By publicising their workplace health offering – and ensuring current staff know how to use their benefits effectively – employers could boost the uptake of these services. This would be a simple and low-cost solution for employers to demonstrate support for the health and wellbeing of current and potential employees. Ahead of the Autumn Budget, it is vital that government recognises the vital role health and protection insurers can and do play in helping people stay well and in work. The launch of Sir Charlie Mayfield’s ‘Keep Britain Working’ review has rightly shifted policymakers’ focus to tackling health-based economic inactivity, and more can be done to support these efforts. For this reason, the ABI continues to call on government to reduce tax barriers to incentivise 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.

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.

Yvonne Braun

Director of Policy, Long-term Savings, Health and Protection