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Stuart Gentle Publisher at Onrec

Unum launches new app giving employees access to enhanced health support

Leading UK employee benefits provider, Unum, has announced it is launching “Help@hand”, a new range of app-based services giving employees and their families improved access to medical support at the touch of a screen.

  • Unum has launched a new app-based service providing employees with fast, simple, remote access to GPs and health support
  • In partnership with Square Health, Unum’s offering benefits both employees and their families seeking high quality medical support via one single platform

Leading UK employee benefits provider, Unum, has announced it is launching “Help@hand”, a new range of app-based services giving employees and their families improved access to medical support at the touch of a screen.

Four key services are available to employees and their families* through Help@hand:

  • Remote GP – Aims to provide access to a remote GP within two hours of requesting an appointment. Unlimited face-to-face video consultations with a UK-based GP, any time, day or night, 365 days a year
  • Second opinion – Two consultations available per year, face-to-face or via video, and provided by a UK-based specialist following a diagnosis from a treating doctor
  • Mental health support – Up to eight consultations per year including an initial assessment
  • Physiotherapy – Up to eight consultations per year including an initial assessment

Help@hand ensures a unique, simple and straightforward customer experience – for employees to get the support they need when and where they need it. The service is available with Unum’s Group Income Protection policies at no additional cost.

The new services will be offered in partnership with specialist provider Square Health. Founded by doctors, Square Health has over 20 years of experience within the healthcare sector, with access to over 5,000 medical specialists across the UK.

Peter O’Donnell, Unum UK Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“We know that access to convenient medical support can be a major challenge for workers and their families.

“By partnering with Square Health we’re providing employees with direct access to an expansive medical network to help with diagnosis and treatment as and when necessary.

“Employers want to support the health of their workforce and we wanted to offer a service that made a tangible difference. Early treatment can often result in a quicker resolution to a medical condition or problem and bring added peace of mind.”

Square Health founder, Dr Bippon Vinayak, commented:

“We are delighted to partner with Unum to introduce Help@hand. Based on our well-established ‘Clinic in a Pocket’ TM concept, we have placed an easily accessible ‘clinic’ in the hands of employees for use by themselves and their families.

“The service provides access to a UK GP at any time and from anywhere in the world. In addition, it provides help with two of the most common causes of workplace absence – musculoskeletal and mental health.

“We’ve been working closely with employers and these services are cited as best at addressing the biggest challenges to employee wellbeing, and we know how much an insurance product that also helps employees manage their health will be valued.”

The Help@hand services are designed to support employers, employees and their families in managing their health and illness concerns. 


About Unum

Unum is a leading employee benefits provider offering financial protection through the workplace including: Income Protection, Life insurance, Critical Illness, and Dental cover.

Our Income Protection customers have access to medical and vocational rehabilitation expertise designed to help people stay in work and return to work following illness and injury. Unum LifeWorks, our Employee Assistance Programme, provides help and advice on a range of work/life issues.

Our Critical Illness customers can access our Cancer Support Service, providing personalised support for employees with a cancer diagnosis.

We are committed to workplace wellbeing for both employees and employers. We have a wide range of tools designed to help businesses create or enhance their employee wellbeing strategy, including our Mental Health Pathway and Wellbeing Calendar.

At the end of 2018, Unum protected 1.4 million people in the UK and paid claims of £314 million - representing in excess of £6 million a week in benefits to our customers - providing security and peace of mind to individuals and their families. 

Our parent company, Unum Group, is a provider of employee benefits products and services in the United States, including group and individual disability insurance. Premium income for Unum Group and its subsidiaries totalled $9.0bn in the year ended 31 December 2018, with reported revenues for the group totalling $11.6bn and total assets of $61.9bn.

A.M Best has given all rated Unum Group companies an Excellent rating for Financial Strength, with a stable outlook.

For more information please visit www.unum.co.uk.

Unum Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Unum Dental is a trading name of Unum Limited. Registered in England 983768