Why Out-of-Hospital Benefits Matter in the Workplace

Out-of-hospital benefits focus on routine healthcare needs that arise outside of hospital admissions. For employees, these services are essential to maintaining good health, managing chronic conditions, and supporting a balanced work-life routine. Providing access to quality out-of-hospital healthcare can reduce absenteeism, improve job satisfaction, and demonstrate a commitment to staff wellbeing.

Key Components of Out-of-Hospital Medical Benefits

• General practitioner (GP) consultations for everyday conditions and preventative care
• Basic and specialised pathology and radiology tests as prescribed by a Healthcare Practitioner
• Acute and chronic medication options (subject to clinical guidelines)
• Dental and optometry services for ongoing wellness
• Telehealth solutions connecting employees to Healthcare Practitioners remotely, for health advice or initial assessment

Impact of Out-of-Hospital Benefits on Employee Health

Evidence shows that when employees have access to basic healthcare, including preventative screenings and GP visits, organisations experience:

• Lower rates of illness-driven absenteeism
• Increased productivity and morale
• Earlier detection and treatment of chronic conditions
• Reduced staff turnover due to greater job satisfaction

How Affinity Health Supports Workforces with Practical Solutions

With a focus on affordability and accessibility, Affinity Health’s group solutions enable companies to offer wide-ranging out-of-hospital cover. Businesses can select packaged benefits suitable for their employee profile, supported by:

• Day-to-day cover for unlimited or pre-set GP visits
• Access to a curated provider network across South Africa (find a provider)
• 24/7 remote medical support through the Affinity Health telehealth service
• Chronic medication management programmes in line with medical best practice

These day-to-day solutions form the core of healthy workforce initiatives and integrate with other wellness offerings.

Designing an Effective Employee Out-of-Hospital Benefit Package

An impactful package balances affordability with comprehensive services. Here’s how South African employers can develop suitable offerings for their teams:

1. Assess employee demographics: Consider age, chronic health risks, and common health requirements in your workforce.
2. Prioritise essential services: Focus first on GP, dental, optometry, and basic wellness benefits to cover the widest set of needs.
3. Leverage provider networks: Ensure employees can quickly locate Healthcare Practitioners nearby. The Affinity Health network spans urban and rural locations for greater staff reach.
4. Incorporate remote support: Telehealth access is ideal for after-hours questions or rural staff, improving engagement and reducing unnecessary absenteeism.
5. Evaluate relative value: Compare benefit levels and pricing via current price lists to align coverage with available budgets.

Comparing Out-of-Hospital Group Plans

Employers can combine these benefits with day-to-day health cover for a well-rounded approach. For more details on extended options, review the Affinity Health Group Cover suite.

Maximising Utilisation and Wellness Outcomes

• Communicate plan features so staff know when and how to use benefits.
• Promote health education workshops and encourage annual screenings using the cover provided.
• Monitor utilisation trends and employee feedback to refine chosen benefit structures.

Sources

• Affinity Health - Group Cover Details
• Affinity Health - Policy Pricing
• Affinity Health - Provider Search Tool
• Statistics South Africa - General Household Survey 2021
• World Health Organization - Healthy Workplaces