20 May 2020
Covid-19: information about WPA's health insurance
As people’s understanding of the importance of health and wellbeing has grown in recent years, including the importance of mental health and the link between mental and physical health, most insurers have expanded the range of benefits and services available within their private medical insurance (PMI) policies.
These services can include online GP consultations, mental health support services, access to phone or online counselling, remote support for musculoskeletal conditions and nurse-led helplines for the day-to-day management of ongoing medical conditions. With large numbers of people either working from home or confined to home, these services will be as important, or more important, than ever before.
Furthermore, some insurers are now introducing new benefits and services specifically designed to support their customers through the current pandemic. Insurers are providing regular updates on the benefits their PMI policies can provide through this period, and the latest information provided by your insurer can be found here:
Access to remote GP services
WPA has made remote GP services available to its individual and SME corporate private health insurance customers at no extra cost. The service provides an alternative to visiting your GP. It gives you 24/7 access to a GP helpline including unlimited phone or video consultations; a private prescription service; specialist referrals; medical notes and general health information.
To use this benefit please refer to your policy/scheme guide or contact WPA directly. Please be aware that these services are facing a higher than average demand so may take longer to access than normal.
Important: please do not contact the remote GP service if you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms and instead follow NHS and Government advice as they are best placed to assist you. Visit www.nhs.uk and www.gov.uk for further information.
Mental health support
WPA has broadened the availability of their health and wellbeing mental health helpline to its individual health insurance customers at no extra cost. The employee assistance helplines for SME customers, and health and wellbeing helpline for individual customers includes:
- Health and wellbeing information
- Telephone counselling
- Online computerised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (cCBT) life skills course
- Debt and money information and support
- Legal information
Expanded benefit levels
WPA has expanded its benefits to cover telephone and video consultations with healthcare providers.
NHS hospital cash benefit
WPA is reminding its customers that it provides an NHS hospital cash benefit. Please check your policy/scheme guide for details.
Rebate for customers
In March, WPA committed to its members that the company would not profit from the reduction in claims as a result of Covid-19. Their rebate is a first tangible step to demonstrate this commitment. The full details of the rebate on offer can be found on the company website: https://www.wpa.org.uk/latest-information.
Find out more
For more information, including answers to frequently asked questions regarding Covid-19, which are being updated regularly, please go to the WPA website.
If you have any questions about your health insurance policy, please contact your consultant.