Many businesses offer employees a health care cash plan as a cost-effective way to help them stay healthy, which in turn can help to reduce sickness and absenteeism.
The UK’s health care system is under strain—and employees are feeling it. From lengthy GP waiting times, to growing demand for musculoskeletal (MSK) and mental health support, accessing timely care is harder than ever.
Waiting for treatment doesn’t just affect the individual, it can also affect the whole business. Stress from uncertainty, delays in diagnosis, and prolonged discomfort can all lead to higher levels of absence and reduced workplace engagement.
As of early 2025, NHS waiting lists exceed 7.4 million cases1 and access to essential services remains a major issue. For example:
- It’s not uncommon to wait 2 weeks or more for a GP appointment2.
- Demand for MSK3 and mental health services4 continues to rise.
- A new study by Ipsos reveals three quarters of people are concerned about availability of NHS dental care, and more than half are concerned about their ability to pay if forced to use private services5.
For UK employers, this is creating a critical business challenge: how to support employee health, reduce sickness absence and maintain productivity, without breaking the budget.
The business case for supporting employee health
Health access issues have a significant impact on working age people, affecting employee wellbeing, business productivity, absence levels, and long-term staff retention6. When staff can’t access the treatment and services they need, conditions can worsen while they wait. This can lead to:
- Prolonged absence and delayed return to work.
- Increased stress and anxiety.
- Higher rates of presenteeism and reduced output.
Recognising this issue, businesses are exploring options for offering workplace health benefits, including health care cash plans. These are a simple and surprisingly affordable choice for employers who want to help bridge the gap in access to health care and limit the business impact of health-related absences.
How health care cash plans can fill the gap
Health care cash plans such as Sovereign’s Asset plan can support both everyday and more specialised health needs by paying employees cash back towards the cost of health care services and helping to remove the stress of long waits for treatment. As well as offering 24/7 access to GP services allowing employees to quickly book an appointment at a time convenient to them, Asset helps cover costs for a wide range of services including:
- Private and NHS dental check-ups and treatment
- Eye tests, glasses and contact lenses
- Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Chiropractic treatment
- Specialist consultations and diagnostic tests
Asset covers pre-existing conditions and there’s no qualifying period, so everyone can use it from day one.* It also includes cover for proactive health screenings, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing confidential support, assistance and counselling to help people deal with a range of life events. Together, these services are particularly effective for early intervention, ensuring employees can get help for physical or mental health problems before they become serious.
Enabling employees to take proactive steps to manage their health helps them stay healthy, engaged and productive, which in turn helps the health of businesses.
Want to learn more about how a Sovereign cash plan can support your team? Find out more at Asset | Sovereign Health Care
*Does not apply to PA cover which has separate terms and conditions.
2 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/gp-appointment-waiting-list-nhs-map-b2730236.html
6 https://igpp.org.uk/blog/article/growing-importance-health-and-wellbeing-workplace