British Friendly has increased the number of virtual GP and second medical opinions which its members can use as part of an update to its discretionary loyalty programme Mutual Benefits.
The new offering, which goes live today, focuses on everyday health, wellbeing, and rewards for members at no extra cost by grouping benefits like digital GP and second medical opinion services under its new Clinic in a Pocket pillar.
It now includes unlimited digital GP consultations and an additional second medical opinion.
British Friendly also increased the number of winners for its monthly £100 cash draw which members are automatically entered into from three to five winners, with no limit to the number of times a member can win.
The current discretionary benefits offered as part of BF Care, which was part of the Mutual Benefits programme originally, remains unchanged. These include death benefit, bereavement benefits, terminal illness benefit, care assistance benefit, recovery support benefit.
Members all have instant access to Mutual Benefits from the start of their policy. All information can be found on the British Friendly member website without any need to sign up or login.
Clinic in a Pocket is powered by Square Health and includes:
- Unlimited digital GP consultations, available 24/7 and 365 days a year within four hours of engagement (previously up to six consultations only)
- Two second medical opinions (previously up to one only)
- A self-service health check which captures twenty health markers across seven key areas and reported within the app
- The ability to share select services with immediate family via the mobile app
- A new, upgraded mobile app solution
- Removal of the previous points-based system means members have access to more services than ever before
Steve Casey, marketing director at Square Health, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer improved and extended services to British Friendly’s membership after five years of partnership with the insurer. With the increasing focus on wellness against the backdrop of stretched NHS services, British Friendly’s adoption of our platform is well timed.”
As part of the launch British Friendly is offering a prize draw of two £500 prizes out of all members who activate the Clinic in a Pocket app by 31 March.
The mutual is also giving away up to ten £50 Amazon vouchers to advisers in a prize draw if any of their new or existing British Friendly clients download the new Clinic in a Pocket app between 14 February and 31 March.
Natalie Summerson, sales and marketing director at British Friendly, added: “We have seen first-hand at British Friendly what services our members have used and found the most helpful during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As hospital waiting lists hit six million in England and non-essential procedures continue to be cancelled, our services become even more crucial for members. There has been a 325% increase in usage of digital GP consultations and a 73% increase in the use of our mental health support.
“However, over the last five years overall, physiotherapy has remained our top used service out of all the Square Health benefits we offer and accounted for 60% of all the services used during the pandemic alone.
“As we looked to relaunch our Mutual Benefits proposition it made sense to give our members more of what they need. We know NHS healthcare services are stretched, so we’re introducing Square Health’s Clinic in a Pocket to help our members and their families get faster access to health and wellbeing support every day.”
