Can Taking Out Health Cover Improve Your Wellbeing?

The PruHealth Vitality Index, published on the 9th November, found that there is a huge gap between people's perception of what it means to be healthy and the reality of the impact of lifestyle, diet and fitness levels on our health. The report also published statistics that suggest that the best medical insurance cover would promote wellbeing with 81% of the participants agreeing that it is important for "medical insurers to help members manage and improve health."

With such a gap in the public perception of their health and the reality, what pro-active help can you expect from your provider when you take out health cover?

Pru-Health actively encourages you to look after your health via their Vitality programme which is designed to promote 'an active lifestyle and improve your health'. They have a range of incentives including a personal Health Review which assesses your needs and encourages you to stop smoking, get regular health screens as well as to exercise and eat well. You can collect points for taking preventative measures, including participating in regular exercise (at reduced cost through fitness companies Cannon, La Fitness and Virgin Active) and the more points you get the lower your premiums go. You can even get extra points for buying fresh fruit and veg at Sainsbury's!

Norwich Union have an online Health Planner which assesses your health and lifestyle and provides guidelines to improvements in diet and exercise. They are also trying to cater for psychological wellbeing by providing a Stress Counselling Helpline where experienced counsellors are available 24/7. They also have a Stress Free Living Guide and the Guide to Services for a Healthy Mind. With all the evidence there is to suggest that the health of the mind and body are linked, this focus on mental health shows a very progressive attitude to overall wellbeing. Additionally, through their medical insurance you can also have access to 40% reduction on membership to a range of UK health clubs.

Standard Life offer a Healthy Reward Service which includes a tailor-made online Health and Well-being report which will advise you on changes that you need to make in the following areas: sleep, nutrition, exercise and stress. To support this they also offer a telephone counselling services. They also offer a discount on health screens with Nuffield Proactive Health.

So, if you are looking for incentives to stay healthy and improve your wellbeing, the company which seems to provide the best health insurance cover is Pru-Health as it offers you reduced premiums if you do actively pursue a healthier lifestyle. They put their money where their mouth is!

If you are looking for an overview of wellbeing and would like some tips on improving your health there is a very useful free download produced by the Health Insurance and Protection Magazine.