New analysis shows a 23%
increase in the number of people who used insurer-provided health
services in 2023, highlighting the expanding role of health and
protection insurers in supporting a healthy UK population and
workforce.
The report from the ABI, the voice of the insurance and long-term
savings sector, shows that roughly 2.2 million people used
insurer-provided health services across the year, 23% more than
in 2022 (1.8 million).
Customers accessed these services 10.3 million times to help them
prevent illnesses, manage conditions, receive treatment or
support their return to work, a 22% increase from 2022. Over half
(51%) of these interactions were for prevention, diagnosis and to
offer early care to individuals.
Employers played a crucial role in uptake. Almost four out of
five people (77%) who accessed these services did so through
workplace schemes, highlighting the invaluable contribution
employers already make to support workforce health and a clear
opportunity to leverage the workplace as a platform to expand
upon this trend.
A range of services were used across 2023:
- Virtual GP remote consultations reached 1.73
million, a 21% increase compared to
2022. This equates to over 4,700 per day across 2023.
- Physiotherapy and tailored exercise plans were implemented in
1.63 million musculoskeletal (MSK)
interventions, up 29% from 2022.
- Approximately 1.33 million mental health and
counselling, therapy, and digital-CBT sessions were delivered, an
11% increase compared to 2022.
Approximately 9.19 million working-age adults (16–64) are
currently economically inactive in the UK. Of those, 2.8 million
cite long-term sickness as their primary reason for inactivity
(1). This indicates that there is a gap in the support currently
available to the workforce (2). While insurer-provided health
services are already working to bridge this gap, employers who
offer this cover to staff also have an important role to
play.
By publicising their workplace health offering – and ensuring
current staff know how to use their benefits effectively –
employers could boost the uptake of these services. This would be
a simple and low-cost solution for employers to demonstrate
support for the health and wellbeing of current and potential
employees.
Ahead of the Autumn Budget, it is vital that government
recognises the vital role health and protection insurers can and
do play in helping people stay well and in work. The launch of
Sir Charlie Mayfield's ‘Keep Britain Working' review has rightly
shifted policymakers' focus to tackling health-based economic
inactivity, and more can be done to support these efforts.
For this reason, the ABI continues to call on government to
reduce tax barriers to incentivise broader access to workplace
health and protection insurance and make it more accessible for
SMEs and low earners. This includes freezing Insurance Premium
Tax (IPT) until fiscal headroom allows for a reduction.
Dr Yvonne Braun, Director of Policy, Long-term Savings,
Health and Protection, said: “Insurers, government
and employers all play a critical role in unlocking the full
potential of health and protection insurance. Our data reinforces
the need for a joined-up approach to workforce health that can
help boost uptake of preventative care, early interventions and
timely support offered through insurance. By working together, we
can build a healthier, more resilient workforce and reduce
long-term sickness and economic inactivity.”
Footnotes
1 - ONS: Employment, unemployment and economic inactivity levels
and rates by age group, UK, rolling three-monthly figures,
seasonally adjusted. Labour Force Survey. (April 2025)
2 - The House of Commons Library: UK labour market
statistics. (June 2025): https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9366/CBP-9366.pdf
Data considerations
The data referenced in this report is new and includes
estimations, therefore it is subject to potential change in the
future. We believe the data is reflective of the activity taken
by insurers but some of the trends observed may be partially
attributable to improved reporting in 2023.
