In this iPMI Global Insights article, global healthcare and insurance veteran Brian Piper, explores the benefits of employee assistance programs.

Setting up a business is risky, and entrepreneurs face immense challenges.  Imagine starting a U.S. corporation as an expat, in the Czech Republic, then creating a branch office and subsidiary operations in a foreign country. 

It has been an interesting time with many challenges along the way.

Mercer has released preliminary results from its 2024 National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans.

According to an analysis of responses from over 1,800 US employers, total health benefit cost per employee is expected to rise 5.8% on average in 2025, even after accounting for planned cost-reduction measures. Employers estimated that their cost would rise by about 7%, on average, if they took no action to lower cost. Smaller employers (those with 50-499 employees), which typically have fully insured health plans, have been hit the hardest. They reported that cost would rise by about 9% on average if they took no action to lower cost.

Latest data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) in the UK finds that in January to March 2024 there were more private hospital admissions (238,000) than in any previous quarter on record.

Premier Choice Group (PCG), the Private Medical Insurance and Employee Benefits business of Brown & Brown (Europe), has completed a deal to buy the employee benefits intermediary Advo Group Limited.

In this iPMI Global, Private Medical Insurance In Focus article, leading private medical insurance analyst, Ian Youngman, looks at news from the UK, that employers continue to prioritise employee benefits, even though costs are a big concern.

In this Private Medical Insurance In Focus article, leading private medical insurance analyst, Ian Youngman, takes a look at news that Aviva is set to launch a new health insurance business in Ireland.

Absenteeism from work in the UK is at a 10-year high. A recent survey by CIPD and Simplyhealth found that UK workers were absent an average of 7.8 days a year in 2022, up from 5.8 days before Covid.

DocHQ’s bespoke health screening helps prevent potential medical issues among workforces.

• DocHQ pioneers convenient at-home health testing, covering a range of conditions;
• Results are quick and come with GP-verified advice on next steps;
• Bespoke packages can be created for employers to offer employees as part of annual health check benefits;
• Tests include cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid, menopause, vitamins and certain cancer checks.

In our most recent Private Medical Insurance In Focus article, leading health insurance market analyst, Ian Youngman, takes a look at how the sale of Aviva could change the UK private medical insurance (PMI) market.