Scottish Widows has added a new virtual GP service to its Protect product.
The service, which is offered through Square Health, is available via an app and offers customers access to virtual GP appointment as well as free home delivery of regular prescriptions. Since the start of the Covid pandemic last year insurers, healthcare companies and employee benefit providers have increasingly added these services to their products.
Scottish Widows head of protection proposition Amanda Kerr says: “Even though many people may be cautious about going to the GP at the moment, it’s more important than ever to look after our health.
This partnership aims to provide greater peace of mind for new policyholders by allowing them to book a GP appointment or order a repeat prescription at the touch of a button through a trusted provider.”
Protection Guru head of research Adam Higgs says: “Over the past year we have seen the popularity of virtual GP’s increase amongst advisers and it has become the must have value added service on protection plans.
“The addition of the “ Clinic in a Pocket” to Scottish Widows’ proposition is great for advisers and their clients alike, particularly because there is no limit on the number of appointments and it is available for the life assured their spouse/partner and children to use.
“In terms of what can be done via the service, it is as comprehensive as anything currently available in the market. We would however like to see Scottish Widows to bring this together with some of the other services they provide such as their mental health support and second medical opinions, in order to provide a more connected experience for clients.”
Square Health co-founder and executive chairman Dr Bippon Vinayak adds: “We are proud to be partnering with Scottish Widows to provide greater ease and flexibility for customers. “Demand for our virtual GP appointments and repeat prescriptions has surged over the last twelve months, showing just how helpful technology can be in providing healthcare. We’re excited to extend this service to Scottish Widows customers at a time when they are likely to need our services the most.”