Equipsme Signs Up UK Power Networks

The word from Equipsme as they announce a new client deal;

Health insurance MGA Equipsme has partnered with UK Power Networks, the largest electricity distributor in the UK, to offer GP access, physio, and private diagnosis and treatment services to more than 5,000 frontline staff.

Stuart Reid, Equipsme’s Chair said: “UK Power Networks is a great example of the kind of shift we’re seeing in the PMI market. Companies are increasingly looking to rebalance health benefit budgets to cover more or all of the workforce – moving on from traditional gold-plated PMI for leadership and cash plans for the rest.

“What Equipsme does sits in that middle ground between the two, and our model is gaining real traction in the market as businesses look for insurance solutions that can protect their biggest asset – their people.

“While health insurance has always been somewhat on the periphery of the insurance industry, it’s important to take note of just how much of a business priority it’s become to really big corporations. As an industry we need to respond to that, and be on the front foot in offering solutions as part of our wider commercial advice.”

New priorities

UK Power Networks are responsible for owning and maintaining the electricity cables and lines that deliver Power to homes and businesses in London, the South East, and East of England. They took the step to strengthen health and wellbeing support after identifying a gap in their benefits and rewards portfolio.

Steve Remnant, Head of Reward, HR Services and Employee Relations explained: “All our feedback was telling us health benefits were something people were very interested in. They were struggling to get in to see anyone at their GP or local hospital – and we felt we needed to step in to help with that.

“Everyone at UK Power Networks has access to a cash plan, an EAP, and even occupational health services. We’ve also got a traditional PMI plan, but as with most organisations it only covers those in the most senior roles. So there was this clear gap in terms of practical, physical diagnostic and treatment services for the wider population.

“The equitable thing for us to do was to modernise and equalise our health support – and that’s where Equipsme has come in. It was the nearest fit to getting full-blown PMI for every single person in our organisation, without breaking the budget.”

UK Power Networks were introduced to Equipsme by brokers Mercer Marsh Benefits. The Equipsme plan includes 24/7 GP access through Health Hero, alongside physiotherapy, diagnosis and treatment through AXA Health.

Practical healthcare

Steve continued: “We wanted something that would give people a fast-track to a GP or a consultant, get them an early diagnosis and swift intervention. With Equipsme our people are now more likely to be seen for diagnostic testing and medical or therapeutic treatment for things like MSK conditions in days or weeks rather than months.

“Clearly that’s going to impact our sickness absence rates – which is great – but not why we’ve made this investment. For us, it’s really about making sure we’re the sort of employer that people want to work for, and an attractive proposition in the modern market. We think these are the things businesses absolutely should be doing to support people, attract the best candidates, and retain them.”