BUPA brings bespoke workplace health services to Britain's businesses

Edited by the Insidemoneytalk editorial team Mar 8, 2007

BUPA has announced ambitious plans to create a single distribution channel for business to business intermediaries and customers.

BUPA Health Insurance's realigned business will work in partnership with intermediaries to offer bespoke insurance cover and workplace health services to both large and small employers.

Independent research carried out for BUPA amongst intermediaries, employers and employees identified three common challenges companies want to address through their employee benefits spend: legislative compliance, increased motivation and reduced absence.

Steve Flanagan, BUPA Health Insurance's commercial director said: "The Government is very clear about the value that work can play in keeping people healthy.

We have already demonstrated through the work we have done recently with our intermediary partners, that by combining our services we can create a triple win, delivering a real and tangible return on investment in workplace health for the employer, employee and UK plc.

Intermediaries have a key role to play in this." BUPA's research found that it is in a unique position to offer solutions to employers through a remodelled sales approach.

Supported by a range of sales development and training, BUPA Health Insurance is creating a team of lead account managers who will work in partnership with key intermediaries to meet employer needs better.

In this way BUPA can help intermediaries and their employer clients understand the full value and breadth of BUPA's workplace health services rather than focus on one discreet business area.

Specific examples of how BUPA's realigned approach is already proving successful include a 'Maximising Attendance' programme which has saved GBP4.5 million for Glasgow City Council, and leading transport company TRL, which is introducing a consistent approach to monitoring sickness absence.

Mr Flanagan said: "BUPA Health Insurance will continue to offer stand-alone solutions as we recognise that our more aligned offering will not be suitable on every occasion." For further information, please contact: Helen Vaughan-Jones,BUPA Corporate Communications, 020 7656 2290, vaughanh@bupa.com.