Nearly half of SME employees polled have said they would desire International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) while SMEs are still grappling with the challenges of expanding overseas.
Expacare's Anatomy of an international business report found three fifths (60%) of business owners questioned think SMEs will do business overseas in the future, compared to just over a third (36%) in 2012.
For many businesses there are still barriers to international expansion, the research identified.
Two fifths (41%) believed the main challenge when moving abroad is a lack of basic knowledge, while a further 39% said that the costs involved would put them off altogether. A quarter (26%) saw motivating and recruiting staff to head overseas as being difficult.
While many businesses appear to be unaware of the help available to them, employees are clued up when it comes to requesting a benefits package.
Nearly half (45%) stated that their most desired elements was private health insurance for themselves and their dependents.
Beverly Cook, managing director of Expacare said: "The research has shown that British SMEs are increasingly eyeing up business opportunities overseas, even more so than in 2012. They are seeing overseas ventures as offering better opportunities for growth and the opportunity to get ahead of the competition. However, it is concerning that so many businesses are left in the dark when it comes to the help they can receive and clearly the Government should look to fill this knowledge gap.
"With more businesses than ever looking to grow their international presence, it has never been more important for them to get help and avoid unnecessary risks. Expat businesses should also ensure they have the right healthcare in place so that they are not left vulnerable should the worst happen.
"The research shows that employees are clearly concerned about their healthcare package when overseas so this should be an important part of any benefits bundle to be considered by those expanding."
