Insurers are only too aware of the growing demand for mental health support. That’s why they’ve been busy developing their policies to better support people with varying emotional and mental health needs.
Businesses today are increasingly looking to support employees with their mental health and wellbeing.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 49% of all work-related ill health cases are linked to stress, depression, or anxiety.
In this article, we explore what the UK’s eight leading health insurers offer in terms of mental health support.
Contact our award-winning team to receive free impartial advice and a complimentary quotation service. Engage Health Group compares policies across the market and reviews any policies you have in place to ensure they’re offering the best value.
What mental health support is commonly offered by health insurers?
All the leading health insurance providers offer some form of mental health support for their business customers. Many of the support mechanisms they offer are quite similar. For example, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPS) are offered by all eight insurers featured in this article.
EAPs are designed to provide emotional support across a wide range of issues. These include psychological stresses and strains related to work, finance, family relations, addiction issues and much more. Support is provided via an online platform which includes access to therapists and, often, specialists in different fields (such as legal and financial).
EAPs usually come with general wellbeing advice and exercises too, so you don’t need to be experiencing a crisis to benefit. You can read more about EAPs here.
Another important thing to mention is that mental health support is usually more advanced on Corporate Health Insurance plans which are typically offered to companies with 250-plus employees.
Finally, as it’s 2024, all the leading Group Health Insurance providers provide some form of wellbeing app or online platform with their policies.
8 insurers offering mental health coverage for employees
1. Aviva Health
Aviva’s corporate health insurance plans support various mental health needs. Members can easily access its mental health support services through digital tools, which provide security to all its users.
Aviva’s mental health offering includes:
- Unlimited Mental Health Support: Aviva offers unlimited access to mental health specialists via a GP referral, ensuring you can get help when needed.
- Counselling & Therapy: Up to 28 days of inpatient and day patient mental health treatment and access to outpatient services like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and counselling.
- Apps & Tools: Members can use the Aviva Digital GP app, which provides online GP consultations and self-management resources for mental health, including access to virtual therapy sessions. In addition, you can choose a GP by reviewing their profiles and also get repeat NHS prescriptions.
NOTE: Access to services may vary depending on which Aviva Business Health Insurance plan you opt-for. Contact one of our expert advisors for expert assistance.
2. AXA Health
AXA Health has a Defaqto 5-star rating and offers mental health coverage to support employees at different stages of their mental health journey. Many of its mental health support services are also available for SMEs, providing access to a wide range of specialists and treatments.
AXA’s mental health services include:
- Dedicated mental health line: 24/7 access to a confidential mental health helpline, where staff can speak directly with counsellors and mental health professionals.
- Inpatient & outpatient support: AXA’s plans cover a range of treatments, from CBT and counselling sessions to more intensive psychiatric care.
- Apps and tools: The AXA Health App allows staff access to personalised mental health assessments and resources that track your mental wellness over time. By being proactive with the app, you can make small recommended changes that lead to healthier habits over time.
NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which Aviva Business Health Insurance plan you opt-for.
3. Bupa
Bupa is well-known for its mental health support, providing flexible options to address mental health concerns. Preventive care and ongoing therapy are both catered for.
Bupa’s mental health services include:
- Unlimited mental health treatment: Bupa covers treatment for a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, and depression. This includes both inpatient and outpatient care.
- No GP referrals needed: Members don’t need a GP referral to access counselling services, making it easier for them to get help.
- Apps and tools: The Bupa Blua app offers articles, self-help guides, and tools to manage stress and anxiety. Bupa’s online resources hub, Healthy Me, also provides additional advice from experts.
- 24/7 mental health support line: Bupa offers a confidential helpline that connects directly with trained counselors.
NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which Bupa Business Health Insurance plan you select. Contact one of our experts to discover which policy best fits your needs.
4. Freedom Health Insurance
Freedom Health Insurance provides coverage for mental health support via virtual and in-person options.
- eMed Virtual GP Service: Offers quick access to unlimited mental health consultations with doctors via their eMed GP app, allowing you to get help from home 24/7, 365 days a year.
- Inpatient & outpatient treatment: Freedom Health Insurance covers short-term and long-term mental health conditions, offering therapy, counselling, and psychiatric care when necessary.
- Optional mental health coverage: Employers can add mental health support to their corporate plans, providing tailored mental health services based on the company’s needs.
NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which Freedom Business Health Insurance plan you select.
5. Vitality
Vitality takes a proactive approach to mental health insurance, focusing on wellness and preventative care. Its plans promote mental wellbeing and offer various tools to help its members manage mental health before it gets worse.
Services included on Vitality’s business plans include:
- Counseling & therapy: Coverage includes talking therapies such as CBT and counselling sessions, helping members access support in the early stages of mental health difficulties.
- Subscription to Headspace: Including guided meditations, and yoga sessions
- Apps and tools: The Vitality Member app offers a range of digital tools and resources for mental health self-care, including wellness trackers, guided meditations, and stress management techniques. The app also provides discounts from its partners to help you manage stress, eat better, lose weight, and quit smoking.
- Comprehensive mental health cover: Vitality offers ‘bolt-on’ inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment.
NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which Vitality Company Health Insurance plan you select. Arrange a free consultation with one of our expert advisors to discover which policy best fits your needs.
6. Western Provident Association (WPA)
WPA is known for its personalised approach to health insurance. They focus on providing mental health care as an “add-on” to its core products, including access to treatment and ongoing support.
Services included on WPA’s business plans include:
- Extensive Mental Health Cover: WPA covers a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders – this includes access to treatment and ongoing support.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Like other insurers, WPA offers mental health support for employees, including counselling, advice, and work-life balance tools through its EAP. This cover is available to all WPA members and their families. In addition, remote access through the WPA Helpline is available to everyone above 16 years old every day of the year, 24/7.
- Apps and tools: Members can use the WPA Health App, which provides access to mental health resources, wellness tracking, and virtual consultations. You can also make and track claims 24/7 through the app, view membership documents, and send and receive messages with WPA through a secure messaging system.
NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which WPA Company Health Insurance plan you select.
7. Benenden Health
Benenden Health provides affordable health care, focusing on mental health support for employees. They offer straightforward coverage to help employees manage mild to moderate mental health issues.
Services included on Benenden’s business plans include:
- Mental health support line: Employees can access free, 24/7 mental health support after six months of membership, giving them direct access to counsellors for issues like stress and anxiety.
- Short-term therapy: Benenden provides up to 6 sessions of therapy or counselling for employees facing mental health challenges.
- Apps and tools: The Benenden Wellbeing Hub offers mental health articles, self-help guides, and wellness tools to help employees manage their mental health independently.
NOTE: Available services listed above may vary according to which Benenden Company PMI plan you select. Arrange a free consultation with one of our award-winning advisors to discover which policy best fits your needs.
8. YuLife
YuLife is a tech-first provider that delivers its health insurance plans through Bupa. Along with Bupa’s mental health support services, businesses also get access to YuLife’s app.
Services on YuLife’s offering include:
- Insurance-free assistance: A major benefit of YuLife is that it’s available to anyone, even if your employees aren’t part of their insurance coverage. Your employees can access the app’s wellness and employee perks platform, which includes virtual GP consultations, EAPs, and wellbeing challenges.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): YuLife provides access to counselling, mental health assessments, and emotional support through its EAP services.
- Apps and tools: The YuLife Employee App includes wellness trackers, mindfulness exercises, and access to mental health support, encouraging mental health management.
- Bupa mental health support: (See Bupa’s offering above.)
NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which YuLife package you choose.
Which policy best supports your employee’s mental health?
The truth is there’s no one answer to this question. Each policy has its own strengths and weaknesses, while each business need differs.
As an employee benefits consultancy we can help you make the best possible decision by doing the following:
- Taking the time to understanding what kind of coverage you’re looking for, the number of people you’d like to cover and how much you’re able to invest
- Gathering a range of quotes from different providers and outlining the key mental health services they offer
- Considering how the policy will interact with any products or policies you already have in place. For example, do you already have a cash plan or EAP in place?
- Reviewing any current health and protection policies you have in place to ensure you’re receiving the best value
The award-winning advisors at Engage Health Group are here to answer all your questions and give advice in your best interests. Simple call 01273974419 or email [email protected] to arrange a free consultation.
