 "Health insurers")
Apollo Munich has a series of tests to ensure the wellness of their customers. At Max Bupa, employees are encouraged to walk up to their colleagues in the office instead of making a call to ensure they stay fit.
Health insurers are now looking to get their customers fit, along with paying their medical bills. Some are even extending this concern for a healthy life to their employees as well.
Apollo Munich Health Insurance Chief Executive Officer Antony Jacob described ‘Energy’ as a wellness programme for diabetic patients.
During the policy period, customers have to take two wellness tests — in the fourth and ninth months. The wellness score determines the discounts and incentives, up to a maximum of 25 per cent, on the renewal of premium. Energy also has an offer through which a customer can save 50 per cent of their renewal programme.
But customers are not the only ones who are going to benefit from this. Employees of health insurance companies, too, stand to gain.
Anika Agarwal, head, marketing, Max Bupa Health Insurance, said employees of the company are encouraged to walk up to their colleagues if they want to talk instead of calling. The company also has an annual initiative called 'Walk for Health' to sensitise employees and customers about the benefits of walking.
“We encourage individuals, families and communities to inculcate walking in their daily routines,” said Agarwal. “The Ground Miles application, developed by Bupa, the UK-based parent company of Max Bupa, is a personalised and motivational walking app intended to encourage people to integrate more walking in their daily lives. It helps users track their walking quotient, including the number of steps taken, distance travelled and calories burnt.”
Max Bupa is also going to launch apps for customers to begin their fitness regimen, make right food choices and show them how small lifestyle changes can improve their looks and health.
Discounts are also part of the strategy to have a fitter customer base.
As part of Apollo Munich's Energy, a customer can get up to 25 per cent cash discount on renewal and another discount of up to 25 per cent of the premium, which can be reimbursed, as expenditure for buying health food, visiting spas, and doctor consultation fees.
V Jagannathan, chairman and managing director, Star Health and Allied Insurance, said they already have a provision of 10 per cent discount on the premium for their senior citizens red carpet insurance when they are able to produce certain tests revealing satisfactory basic health parameters at the time of proposal. He said they are also working out on plans to give impetus for health maintenance among policyholders.
“We are working on some plans to motivate our policyholders through technology platforms. We have tied up with a few providers for supplying diabetes monitor at concessional rates to policyholders who are diabetic. We have also provided medical records storage facility in electronic form, free of cost,” said Jagannathan.
