Health insurers have revealed to Health & Protection whether their workplace schemes will cover Covid-19 testing as employers are urged to look into all options to source lateral flow tests.
This follows the government’s announcement that firms can no longer order free lateral flow tests for employees.
Instead firms are being urged to take the responsibility themselves with experts saying regular workplace testing remains vital.
This can mean employers buying their own tests and setting up their own testing, paying an approved provider to provide the tests and a run a test site on their behalf, or asking employees to order a free rapid lateral flow test at home or at a test site.
Terry Whalley, current strategic lead for Cheshire and Merseyside Covid 19 Test & Trace, who was also previously director of Covid-19 testing for Cheshire and Merseyside, said twice-weekly testing remains key and he recommends people continue to test.
“Workplaces may choose that the best way for them is to test their employees through private testing providers,” he said.
“Employers should refer to the list of providers for general Covid-19 testing and related guidance if they wish to continue workforce testing via this route. The government does not endorse, recommend or approve any private test provider.
“Aside from testing, the hands-face-space guidance remains an essential part of reducing the risk of transmission in workplaces and other settings, and supporting and encouraging all employees to take up the vaccine is also vital.”
Insurers coverage of lateral flow tests
Health & Protection asked some of the biggest insurers in the country if they will provide lateral flow testing as part of their workplace plans.
Bupa said its health services businesses already provide testing for businesses and employees.
A spokesperson for Vitality told Health & Protection that while the insurer did not have immediate plans to offer lateral flow tests to its business or corporate clients, it was monitoring the rapidly-evolving landscape “very closely” to make sure it is providing the right support to members .
“We already offer VitalityHealth members a discount on antigen (PCR) and antibody testing through our GP partner,” the spokesperson added.
David Cottrell, underwriting and product manager at William Russell, revealed that with free testing coming to an end, it is covering asymptomatic testing under its wellbeing benefit, if members have this on their plan.
“Otherwise it will only be covered as part of a pre-admission test or for members who have symptoms.”
A spokesperson for Axa Health said in general its private medical insurance plans do not pay for Covid screening tests except in some narrow circumstances such as when they are required to access eligible private treatment.
Explore all options to source tests
Steve Herbert, head of benefits strategy at Howden Employee Benefits and Wellbeing, told Health & Protection employers should explore all options to source lateral flow tests including their benefits provider.
“The ending of free lateral flow test for businesses was not unexpected, but does – rather ironically – take place at the very moment that many more employers were about to embrace lateral flow testing as another method to ensure workplace safety from infections, and is just as the return to the physical workplace starts to become a reality,” he said.
“Employers should therefore explore any options for sourcing lateral flow tests, and that might include some of their healthcare benefit providers. Alternatively employees can still source their own personal tests free of charge from chemists.
“The important thing for employers will be to ensure that employees do test regularly. And, if the employer is to provide the testing kits, that they are easily available – and in sufficient quantities – so that testing can take place in large numbers if circumstances dictate the need to do so.”