New Advice For Companies On Cancer Cover For Their Employees, UK

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 18 Oct 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Sees the launch of a new guide for companies to help them purchase private medical insurance, following research which shows that only nine per cent of companies currently assess the suitability of cancer-related cover.

Cancerbackup and the Working with Cancer group have produced, in conjunction with Mercer, a leading global provider of consulting, outsourcing and investment services, a guide for companies on purchasing Private Medical Insurance (PMI) to ensure that employers know exactly what they are buying and how well their employees will be covered.

The guide, supported by the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) aims to help employers make informed purchasing decisions on cancer coverage and get the best cover available for their workforce.

Each year 90,000 people of working age are diagnosed with cancer in the UK and as advances in treatment continue, more and more people can continue to work during cancer treatment or, after the treatment is completed can return to work full time.

Within the guide are a series of power questions and answers for use by human resources (HR) professionals and others purchasing PMI, for instance asking whether any treatments are excluded from the cover and if treatments are funded at all stages of the disease.

Joanne Rule, Chief Executive of Cancerbackup said:

"The guide advises employers and HR professionals on how to assess the level of cover they are buying. Better access to cancer care means that more people with cancer are supported and able to stay in work during their treatment if they wish, or return to work more quickly after their treatment."

Barbara Wilson of Working with Cancer said:

"Private Medical Insurance is taken out by many companies wishing to cover their workforce in the event of serious illness and it is important that they are well informed about the level of cover they can expect from these policies."

Cancer and Working: Guidelines for Employers, HR and Line Managers

Cancerbackup is the only national charity that specialises in providing information on all types of cancer, through a helpline, website, and publications and factsheets. The charity's specialist nurses can answer any question on any cancer. All Cancerbackup services are free to cancer patients, their relatives and friends. Cancerbackup produces a work and cancer booklet for people affected by cancer.

The Working with Cancer group was formed in Autumn 2005 by four women who had had cancer, with the aim of providing information to employers about how they should treat employees affected by cancer, as well as advice for employees. The Working with Cancer group has subsequently expanded, after attracting other working men and women who have been affected by cancer, and is primarily focused on developing a series of best practice guidelines for employers, employees, co-workers and carers, around the theme of working with cancer.

http://www.cancerbackup.org