Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Latest NewsPay & benefitsHealth insuranceWellbeingOccupational Health

Insurer doubts over cancer treatments could push up price of private health schemes

by Mike Berry 16 Nov 2006
by Mike Berry 16 Nov 2006

Uncertainty over cancer treatments among private medical insurers could lead to significant financial consequences for employers providing private health schemes, according to consultants Watson Wyatt.

The licensing and use of drugs, including high profile cancer treatments such as Herceptin, are increasing, with the availability of such drugs already resulting in a debate about their potential cost to the NHS.

Similar financial and moral pressures will also need to be addressed by employers providing private medical benefit schemes for their employees, according to David Cross, head of healthcare and risk consulting at Watson Wyatt.

“In light of the growing public debate around the licensing and use of new high cost drugs to treat specific types of cancer, employers need to be very aware of the position that their provider is taking with regard to these treatments,” he said.

“Not only will the stance of their insurer result in an impact on the employee’s perception of the benefit programme, but employers need to understand fully the financial consequences of any decisions that they make, including the potential impact on other benefit and absence costs.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

OptOut
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

“Our guidance to all employers offering private medical benefits, and particularly those operating self-funded arrangements, is to ensure that such decisions are being taken using the best governance principles,” said Cross.

But he warned employers that any decision to restrict benefits could be subject to future challenge from claimants.

Mike Berry

previous post
Queen outlines government commitment to reform education and toughen up immigration controls
next post
Transsexual’s huge claim for sex discrimination against Hitachi Data Systems set for tribunal hearing

You may also like

Number of Neet women rises but figures fall...

23 May 2025

Sighing in frustration at colleague was discriminatory, judge...

23 May 2025

Unions ponder strike action after public sector pay...

23 May 2025

Six ways to kickstart conversations about team stress...

23 May 2025

Fire and rehire: the relocation question

22 May 2025

Public sector workers gain pay rises of up...

22 May 2025

UK net migration slashed by half in one...

22 May 2025

How neuroscience can unlock employee recognition

22 May 2025

UK universities fret over fall in international students

22 May 2025

HSBC employees warned of office attendance link to...

22 May 2025

  • 2025 Employee Communications Report PROMOTED | HR and leadership...Read more
  • The Majority of Employees Have Their Eyes on Their Next Move PROMOTED | A staggering 65%...Read more
  • Prioritising performance management: Strategies for success (webinar) WEBINAR | In today’s fast-paced...Read more
  • Self-Leadership: The Key to Successful Organisations PROMOTED | Eletive is helping businesses...Read more
  • Retaining Female Talent: Four Ways to Reduce Workplace Drop Out PROMOTED | International Women’s Day...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2025

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2025 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today