Westfield launches improved cash plan

Westfield Health has announced bold improvements to its Foresight Healthcare Plan to include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for the first time as part of an innovative package of benefits.

The far-reaching changes to Westfield's Foresight Plan mean that it now offers an effective absence and risk management tool and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) including CBT as core benefits. And with a consultation benefit and stand-alone scanning service, the plan offers a comprehensive diagnostic service.

CBT is recognised by the Government and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as an effective talking therapy for the treatment of many mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety disorders.

The corporate premiums on levels 1 and 2 remain unchanged since 1999 despite the addition of several new benefits, which now include an exciting new online personal health risk assessment, dental trauma, chiropody and homeopathy.

Dental benefits have effectively more than doubled with the introduction of the dental trauma benefit. On level 1, the optical benefit has increased by more than 22% and the therapies benefit by 25%.

The improved plan now includes three invaluable new employer support services; BusinessCare, an HR helpline and a company health report, which is available once employees have completed an online personal health risk assessment.

Westfield Health Chief Executive Jill Davies said: "These exciting and innovative changes raise the bar significantly in the corporate cash plan sector and demonstrate that we are responding to developments in the corporate healthcare and employee benefit markets. We recognise that employers and intermediaries are looking for a sustainable plan with innovative benefits that can complement PMI cover if required. This is exactly what we have delivered."

Westfield has developed this more sophisticated approach following in-depth research into employer, employee and intermediary needs, against the backdrop of changes in the way that healthcare is delivered.

Jill said: "Westfield's experience has enabled us to create a plan high in value with fresh new benefits and improved terms at no additional cost on levels 1 and 2. The fact that we have been able to maintain corporate premiums on these levels for more than 10 years is testament to Westfield's ability to write sustainable market-leading plans. This is the kind of reassurance employers and intermediaries are looking for in these difficult times."

Jill explained that, due to underwriting reasons, it has been necessary to increase level 3 corporate premiums by just 25p per employee, per week, for the first time since 2006. A new fourth level of premium has also been introduced in response to employer requests for a higher level of cover with increased benefits.
A further aspect of the improved Foresight Plan is that it now offers more favourable terms and greater flexibility for employees to upgrade their cover and join a partner.
The new Online Personal Health Risk Assessment gives employees and their resident family members the opportunity to complete an online assessment to show how their lifestyle impacts on their health and the risk of them developing major diseases such as cancer or coronary heart disease. The process will also support them to take action to reduce any identified risks.

The aggregated and anonymised results can then be presented in an electronic Company Health Report, which will give employers greater clarity on the health profile of their workforce. It also presents an opportunity to use the information to take preventative action in those areas of greatest concern, to improve the health of their employees, reduce absence and so boost the health of the business.

Another new employer service, BusinessCare, provides 24-hour access to expert telephone advice as well as online information on a range of legal issues including employment, health and safety and many more.

The HR Helpline provides 24-hour access to free and confidential advice regarding people management issues.
The Foresight Plan also offers three optional modules - Surgery Choices, which provides employees with cover for 60 different non-urgent surgical procedures, For Kids, which provides health cover for employees' dependent children, and DoctorLine, which provides 24-hour worldwide telephone access to a qualified practising GP as well as access to special membership deals at UK health and fitness clubs.
The improved Foresight Plan is available for new sales from April 1. All existing Foresight Plan companies will be contacted in due course and will be able to be transferred to the new plan at their anniversary date.

More information is available on this website www.westfieldhealth.com/foresight