"Whether members are using a service for the first time or are engaged with an ongoing treatment plan, HealthWise continues to provide valuable everyday support."
- Steve Bryan, Director of Distribution & Marketing at The Exeter
Responding to its recent ‘Health & Financial Fears’ Report, which found the number of employees in the UK who have never accessed private healthcare is reducing as they turn to insurance to meet their healthcare needs, The Exeter opted to enhance its HealthWise member benefits app at the end of last year. These enhancements include unlimited remote GP appointments, aligning with its commitment to improve access to healthcare for all, as well as The Exeter’s Health MOT service.
READ MORE: The Exeter record more than 1,000 new Health MOT applications since launch
At the time, Isobel Langton, CEO of The Exeter, said “Providing our members with access to a range of services means that we can help look after their everyday health and wellbeing throughout the life of their policy. The increased engagement with the new services introduced at the end of 2023 is pleasing to see and highlights the growing appetite for a wide range of private healthcare alternatives.”
Last week, The Exeter confirmed that usage of these services in the first six months of 2024 surpassed the entirety of 2023. Membership registrations on the app have risen from 2,844 in H1 2023 to 5,620 in H1 2024 – that’s a 97% year-on-year increase. The Exeter believes this high demand highlights the mounting importance of added-value services as an essential component of a health insurance or protection policy.
Remote GP appointments have been the most popular service, accounting for 74% of all usage. The Exeter recorded 2,378 appointments booked in 2023, versus 3,479 in H1 2024 alone. Likewise, usage of second medical opinions & nutrition/lifestyle services have already exceeded 2023’s end-of-year figures.
All other remaining services, including mental health support, physiotherapy, and dietitian consultations, are set to surpass 2023 usage in Q3 2024.
“With public healthcare services continuing to experience high demand, it’s no surprise that we continue to see our members turn to HealthWise to access support for themselves and their families,” explained Steve Bryan, Director of Distribution & Marketing at The Exeter.
