Business Forum • 30 September, 2024 at 5:36 PM
In the context of economic and social changes, more and more companies are focusing on creating a work environment and organizational culture that encourages employees' physical and mental health. Signal Iduna, the Romanian health insurance market leader, is launching the Wellbeing service in collaboration with Hilio - part of the eMAG group specializing in health and wellbeing, focusing on employee performance and resilience.
The Wellbeing service can be added to private health insurance packages for employees in companies of any size and industry and integrates three plans: psychotherapy, nutrition, and parenting.
Globally, work-life balance is an increasingly discussed topic in the business environment by employers and employees alike. They associate professional success with personal balance and increasingly prioritize their own and their loved ones' health.
Locally, recent data shows a growing need for concrete solutions to support mental health in the labor market. According to the Mind Your Business study, stress is increasingly felt in Romania's modern entrepreneurial environment. For example, 9 out of 10 Romanian entrepreneurs face continuous stress, and 3 out of 10 report having suffered from depression during their careers. Moreover, 7 out of 10 entrepreneurs experience periodic irritability and anxiety. These aspects are also increasingly felt by employees, regardless of their responsibility level or the industry in which their company operates.
"As an insurance company with over 15 years of extensive expertise in the health sector, we have promptly responded with personalized solutions to the wellbeing services request, mainly from the IT sector, even before the pandemic. However, the concern for employee health and well-being, regardless of the industry, has increased significantly in recent years. 3 out of 5 companies signing insurance contracts now request this service. Launching the Wellbeing service in its current form represents our commitment to offer a complete solution for the health of all employees, addressing essential needs that directly contribute to their performance and motivation at work. Additionally, it complements the physical health support already included in private health insurance benefit packages," said Cosmina Rusu, Claims Manager at Signal Iduna.
"Hilio has been collaborating for 8 years with over 100 local and international companies, and during this time, we have seen how employer interest in offering health and wellbeing programs has grown exponentially. At the same time, employers, especially during and after the pandemic, have developed a considerably significant interest in workplace health and wellbeing packages. This maturing of the Romanian market motivated and helped us continually develop programs and products dedicated to health and well-being. Since 2022, with eMAG Ventures' investment, we have discovered through our platform that the same appetite exists in the retail market. We are confident that this new phase, our collaboration with Signal Iduna, will not only increase the use of health and wellbeing services within companies but will also significantly impact educating Romanians about the importance of mental and emotional health and personal balance", said Bogdan Lefter, co-founder of Hilio.
The Wellbeing service can bring significant positive changes at the individual and organizational levels. Through this new benefit, Signal Iduna consolidates its position as a trusted partner for employers in creating healthy, high-performing, and balanced communities. The three Wellbeing plans from Signal Iduna —psychotherapy, nutrition, and parenting — address essential employee needs and can be combined based on the teams' specific needs within packages of 5, 10, or 20 sessions per type of service per year.
Employees who benefit from the Wellbeing service can consult over 400 specialists from Hilio —psychotherapists, nutritionists, and parenting experts — depending on the package included in their insurance. Scheduling is simple and fast through the user account in the Signal Care Assistant app, without creating a new account, and the sessions take place exclusively online.
The insured can request the first session without needing a medical recommendation. Additionally, the nutrition plan can include coverage for an initial set of tests, which are important for establishing a personalized diet. Based on the specialist's advice, these will be carried out after the first meeting.
"Romanians are increasingly prioritizing their health, an essential factor contributing to the transformation of the insurance market. In this context, we can become more creative and innovative in creating new coverage for extra-salary benefit packages. From psychological counseling services to parenting support, these add significant value, increasing the attractiveness of health insurance for a growing number of individuals and companies," added Cosmina Rusu.
Signal Iduna promotes a comprehensive approach to health, emphasizing all aspects of the insured's physical and mental well-being. A physically, mentally, and emotionally balanced employee is more productive.