AXA PPP reveals scheme for large firm health improvements

AXA PPP healthcare has extended its workplace wellbeing offer to larger sized employers, with a rebate if health improvements are not achieved.

The health insurer has increased its emphasis on targeted content to increase more effective personal health risk management.

Available to employers of 200 plus, AXA PPP's Be Healthy wellbeing service is the UK's first to feature ‘Imperative‘ - designed to target the minority of employees with the majority of health risks that have the biggest adverse affect on performance and productivity.

AXA PPP makes health outcomes part of the Imperative fee model, with a significant rebate if genuine results are not achieved.

The new system offers employees biofeedback, online coaching and telephone support from a qualified physiologist.

AXA PPP said this has been shown to effect significant, lasting improvement in physical activity, weight reduction and blood pressure - risk factors associated with musculoskeletal problems, diabetes and heart disease.*

Content utilisation is further analysed to give employers insight into employees' interests and concerns - information they may decide warrants undertaking targeted worksite health promotions.

Dr Chris Tomkins, head of personal health risk management at AXA PPP, said: ‘It is time to move on from the old health risk assessment (HRA) models of the past. The reason why this sector has come under such price pressure is because it has failed to deliver value.

"Employers using HRAs should ask themselves 'what genuine numerical evidence do they have that the risk has improved?'

"Our systematic approach to targeted risk reduction enables employers to concentrate resources on employees whose health gives greatest cause for concern.

"Generally speaking, these are individuals with poor fitness levels and weight problems, which put them at increased risk of musculoskeletal problems and loss of cognitive performance, in addition to progression to serious conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

"We are confident that utilisation of our Be Healthy service will enable employers to improve employee wellbeing and resilience in a targeted, cost effective way and, in turn, enhance their performance and productivity. After all, we are the only provider willing to stake some of our fee on it.'

Access to the Be Healthy gateway service carries a per capita fee and, for further insight, AXA offers employers a physiologist-led, worksite wellbeing assessment service, with blood pressure and cholesterol analysis and personalised reports and recommendations to help individuals to manage their health risks more effectively.