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Laya Healthcare named one of Ireland's First Healthy Places to Work
[21st November 2018] Laya healthcare has today been awarded a Healthy Place to Work certificate and is just one of four Irish organisations to receive this new prestigious recognition.
Healthy Place to Work, which is awarded by Great Place to Work Ireland, is the global standard for healthy workplaces and was piloted in late 2017. Laya healthcare is one of four to be awarded accreditation for their efforts to provide a healthy work environment and positive initiatives to their team of over 500, in their Cork and Dublin locations.
Laya healthcare was the only health insurance provider to be piloted and awarded.
Brid Seymour, Director of HR and Team Development at laya healthcare said: "As the leading provider of health and wellbeing programmes in the Irish health insurance market, we make sure to lead by example by providing our team with access to best in class and unique initiatives, something that we are very proud of.
"We know that now more than ever, people need to be empowered to look after their health and wellbeing to be at their very best always, we strive to ensure this is front of mind in all that we do as a team and stay true to our promise to Look After You Always. Amidst the growing complexity of the world of work, it is crucial for employers to leverage all they can to look after their teams. It's a responsibility and one that must always be prioritised.
"We are delighted that we are one of the first to have our efforts recognised across the areas of physical health, mental resilience, wellbeing and overall culture by Healthy Place to Work," she continued.
Speaking at today's presentation, John Ryan, CEO at Great Places to Work said "Increasingly employees are choosing to work for organisations that take their health and wellbeing seriously. Organisations that provide an environment that supports them to be their best self. Laya healthcare have proven themselves to be truly committed to the health and wellbeing of their employees scoring highly across all four areas of purpose and meaning, mental resilience, social connections and physical health. It is clear to us that Laya Healthcare deeply understand the real drivers of personal wellness and have embedded these in their culture. This focus is the foundation for sustainable organisational success."
Laya healthcare provides its team with a number of sports clubs, a contribution towards gym membership, onsite Pilates and has recently redesigned its restaurant offering to ensure the team can enjoy healthy and seasonal fresh food options on a daily basis.
Team members also avail of laya healthcare's corporate benefits including the highly acclaimed Thrive Health and Wellbeing Programme (a bespoke programme which offers deep insights into the health and wellbeing of your team), Heartbeat (screening is for the detection of underlying conditions that may lead to or cause cardiac events), Healthcoach (personalised health programme) and CareOnCall (An online GP consultation service that operates seven days a week and includes a home prescription service and unlimited phone access to GPs, nurses and physios). The innovative 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support programme also enhances both employees' work and personal lives. It is a confidential counselling service that provides support to employees as well as their families.
A good work life balance is extremely important at laya healthcare and is evident in the culture as well as the flexible working hours offered to the team and the option to work from home where possible.
Healthy Place to Work scored participating organisations on the areas that provide a holistic view of workplace health. These included the overall health and wellness culture, learning opportunities, work life balance, managerial and peer support structures as well as the workplace environment.
For more information, please contact:
Ciarán Curran, H+A Marketing + PR, M: 083 106 1193 E: email@example.com
Aideen McGrath, PR and Communications Manager, laya healthcare. T: 087 9273698
E: email@example.com
About laya healthcare
Laya healthcare is the second largest provider of private health insurance in Ireland with over half a million members. Laya healthcare offers some of the most innovative benefits in the Irish health insurance market along with life insurance (layalife.ie) and travel insurance (layatravelinsurance.ie). Its brand promise, Looking After You Always, represents laya healthcare's member-centric approach, which is fundamental to its vision and values.
In 2015, laya healthcare proudly became part of AIG, one of the strongest insurance organisations in the world with over 90 million customers in 100 countries and jurisdictions. With their experienced team and innovative insurance solutions, along with AIG's financial backing, global expertise and long-term commitment to Ireland, laya healthcare expect to go from strength to strength, widening their offering and bringing value and innovation to Ireland's insurance market.
Health insurance provided by Elips Insurance Ltd trading as Laya Healthcare. Laya Healthcare Ltd trading as Laya Healthcare and Laya Life is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Life insurance provided by IptiQ Life SA. Travel Insurance is provided by AIG Europe Limited.
Almost half of people say their mental wellbeing is of 'real concern' to them
- One in 10 Irish adults say they struggle every day with anxiety
- Money worries is the No.1 cause of anxiety
- The majority of Irish people think stigma still exists around those suffering with anxiety
Wednesday, 26th September 2018. Almost half of Irish people (44 per cent) say their mental wellbeing is of real concern for them, while one in 10 people (11 per cent) claim everyday struggles get on top of them, according to new research released today by laya healthcare to mark Mental Health Week (7 – 13th October).
Stigma around anxiety is still a problem according to the majority of Irish people (75 per cent), with one in four (42 per cent) experiencing anxiety feeling they'd be judged by work colleagues if they knew, and 82 per cent of people agreeing that the conversation around mental health in Ireland needs to change.
Money worries is the no. 1 issue that causes anxiety in almost half of all Irish people (49 per cent), followed by poor sleep (46 per cent), being overweight (43 per cent) and spending time on social media (20 per cent) all having a negative effect. Worryingly, one in ten (11 per cent) rate their own mental wellbeing as 'bad' or 'very bad'.
Top 10 things that negatively impact our mental wellbeing
1. Finances - 49%
2. Poor sleep - 46%
3. My weight - 43%
4. Getting enough exercise - 21%
5. My work environment - 21%
6. Social media - 20%
7. Work life balance - 17%
8. Relationship with spouse/partner - 13%
9. Drinking too much alcohol - 10%
10. My ability to do my job - 9%
Commenting on the research, Counselling Psychologist, Dr. Sarah O'Neill who is the clinical lead for laya healthcare's 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme said: "The findings really shine a light on the need to open up the conversation around mental wellbeing in Ireland and the supports available to people. Knowing and understanding what triggers feelings of anxiety can help prevent or manage it but also knowing there is help at hand is hugely important."
Impact of anxiety
The impact of living with anxiety was revealed by the research with over half (56 per cent) struggling to sleep, while almost a third of people feel 'hopeless about the future'. Worryingly, one in five (17 per cent) drink more alcohol to help them feel better, with one in ten (14 per cent) taking sick leave from work. Sadly, five per cent of those surveyed have lost a job because of their anxiety.
Top 5 Impacts of anxiety
1. Difficulty sleeping - 56%
2. Difficulty concentrating - 34%
3. Feeling completely hopeless about the future - 32%
4. Alienating myself from friends and family - 25%
5. Created problems with my family - 21%
Who do people turn to for help?
Half of Irish people would confide in their spouse or partner with their worries, with over one in ten people (13 per cent) choosing their friends to talk to. Worryingly, almost one in ten choose to keep their worries under wraps and tell no one (9 per cent).
Only one in four have sought help from a professional counsellor (28 per cent), with one in three (37 per cent) not comfortable talking to a stranger about their problems, and one in four (26 per cent) thinking it would be too expensive.
Two in three (64 per cent) of Irish adults know someone who regularly struggles with their mental wellbeing.
Popular ways to improve mental wellbeing
The survey also examined the activities Irish adults engage in to help boost their mental wellbeing, revealing that exercise is the nation's favourite way to relieve stress, with more than half (52 per cent) of people getting active to improve their mood.
Socialising with friends (40 per cent), watching TV (40 per cent) and reading (39 per cent) also feature prominently and given our rich culture in music, it's not surprising that almost half (49 per cent) of people listen to music to improve their mental wellbeing.
Sex is the preferred way for one in five (22 per cent) to enhance their mood, ranking ahead of mindfulness exercises (12 per cent).
About laya healthcare's 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme
Launched in July, laya healthcare's 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme provides members, who have joined or renewed on or after July 1st 2018, with access to a nationwide network of fully qualified, accredited and experienced counsellors and psychotherapists to help with everyday issues that may be impacting their wellbeing. Members can also access a panel of experts experienced in a variety of fields, including financial and tax advisors, legal professionals, career counsellors and more. For more go to layahealthcare.ie.
For more information, contact:
Ciarán Curran, H+A Marketing + PR. Tel.: 021 466 6200 | 083 106 1193
Notes to editor
Research was carried out by Empathy Research on behalf of laya healthcare amongst 1,000 Irish adults aged 18+ in August 2018.
About laya healthcare
Laya healthcare is the second largest provider of private health insurance in Ireland with over half a million members. Laya healthcare offers some of the most innovative benefits in the Irish health insurance market along with life insurance (layalife.ie) and travel insurance (layatravelinsurance.ie). Its brand promise, Looking After You Always, represents laya healthcare's member-centric approach, which is fundamental to its vision and values.
In 2015 laya healthcare proudly became part of AIG, one of the strongest insurance organisations in the world with over 90 million customers in 100 countries and jurisdictions. With their experienced team and innovative insurance solutions, along with AIG's financial backing, global expertise and long-term commitment to Ireland, laya healthcare expect to go from strength to strength, widening their offering and bringing value and innovation to Ireland's insurance market.
Health insurance provided by Elips Insurance Ltd trading as Laya Healthcare. Laya Healthcare Ltd trading as Laya Healthcare and Laya Life is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Life insurance provided by IptiQ Life SA. Travel insurance provided by AIG Europe Limited
Laya healthcare launches 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Programme for members
Wednesday, 11th July 2018: In the first move of its kind by a health insurer in Ireland, laya healthcare today announced the launch of its 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme, an exclusive new benefit that gives its members access to a range of confidential support services to help them maintain positive mental health and wellbeing.
From 1st July 2018, all laya healthcare members aged 16+ can access the 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme from their renewal at no additional cost and benefit from immediate help and support in managing any personal issues they might be facing.
Laya healthcare's 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme provides a broad range of support for a range of services, including:
- Advice on practical, day-to-day issues that cause anxiety and stress
- Legal Assistance for a range of issues
- Financial Assistance & Consumer Advice
- Career Guidance & Life Coaching
- Mediation for conflict resolution
*see Notes to Editor for full list of services available
Commenting at the launch of its 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare said, "Mental health and wellbeing is an important part of our overall health. It affects everyone, but not everyone benefits from access to expert wellbeing help or even knows how to access it.
"Our new 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme will give our members the opportunity and tools to take care of their mental wellbeing and to be able to reach out to qualified counsellors and experts in different fields such as legal and financial planning to offer immediate support and help to manage any personal issues they might be facing. We are building on our promise to look after our members, always", Clancy added.
Counselling Psychologist, Dr. Sarah O'Neill, who works directly with laya healthcare on its 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme said the new benefit will help people to improve and maintain good mental health, "Life is busy for all of us, and this new benefit provides a huge breadth of supports that will have relevance to everyone, not just those struggling with anxiety or mental wellbeing issues. If you're experiencing relationship issues, having trouble with a landlord or you're struggling to cope after the death of a loved one, this benefit will put you in touch with qualified experts who can offer immediate 'in the moment' advice and guidance. Just feeling listened to and offered expert advice can often diffuse anxiety tied to a specific problem or issue."
New benefit details:
The 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme is based on laya healthcare's hugely successful Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that offers support to thousands of employees in businesses across Ireland. Now available for the first time to individual health insurance members on renewal, support can be accessed quickly and easily 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by phone. For more information visit layahealthcare.ie
Members can access a nationwide network of fully qualified, accredited and experienced counsellors and psychotherapists located within a maximum distance of 30 miles of a member's home or workplace. Speed of access is key to early intervention in mental wellbeing. Laya healthcare members will benefit from rapid access to counsellors or qualified experts, with initial contact made within 48 hours and appointments offered within five working days.
Members can also access a panel of experts experienced in a variety of fields, including financial and tax advisors, legal professionals, career counsellors and more, to help members with everyday issues that may be impacting their wellbeing.
Support Services Available
Covering issues such as:
Counselling Services
Access to trained counsellors, Psychotherapists and Psychologists who can offer short-term intervention and advice covering practical, day-to-day issues that cause anxiety and stress.
Legal Services
Consultation with Irish solicitors including those specialised in family law matters, property conveyancing, criminal law,
probate law
Financial Services & Consumer Advice
Consultation with qualified Financial Advisors who can offer advice on household budgeting, borrowing/debt management, retirement planning, saving & investment advice.
Mediation services
Help with disputes in the workplace, or issues related to family business, defective goods & services, building & construction
Life Coaching
Confidence coaching, presentation and time management skills.
Career Guidance
Access a panel of career coach specialists in career guidance, Helping with CAO and 3rd level choices, executive coaching,
self-employment preparation.
Laya healthcare's 24/7 Mental Wellbeing Support Programme also offers multi-lingual mental wellbeing services, with counsellors who can work therapeutically in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Latvian, Hindu, Urdu and Punjabi. Members can also choose to access counsellors who can work through sign language, if necessary.
Gym+Coffee announce the Summer Stretch Series 2018, in association with Healthcoach by Laya Healthcare.
Thursday 17th May 2018: Athleisure clothing company, Gym+Coffee is delighted to announce the launch of its popular Summer Stretch Series 2018, in association with Healthcoach by Laya Healthcare.
The Summer Stretch Series is a series of 10 free fitness events hosted by 10 different trainers in 10 different outdoor locations. The weekly events kick off on Sunday 27th May and run each Sunday for two months, finishing on 29th July. The sessions involve a collaborative group fitness workout followed by coffee and chats afterwards.
Commenting at the launch of the Summer Stretch Series, Niall Horgan, CEO and Co-Founder of Gym+Coffee gave details of why they started the Summer Stretch series "At the heart of Gym+Coffee is a mission to encourage as many people as possible to Make Life Richer. We feel that the two biggest contributing factors to making life richer are to make time to exercise, and to socialise. The goal of our Summer Stretch series is to create fun opportunities for people to get together, get active and to socialise."
Speaking about collaborating with laya healthcare on the 2018 Summer Stretch Series Niall said, "We're excited to announce that we are running this year's series of Summer Stretch in conjunction with healthcoach by Laya Healthcare. This partnership will help us to bring the Series to the next level and deliver something really special. After the success of last year, Gym+Coffee opened the door for applications and we had a huge response from trainers, coffee shops and local businesses all wanting to get involved. Today we're confirming our partners for the first four sessions, and we'll release more updates in the coming weeks – please stay tuned!"
The first Gym+Coffee Summer Stretch in association with laya healthcare event will take place in Dublin on 27th May with support from Anytime Fitness. Below are details for the first four events:
May 27th- Dublin - Rooftop Bootcamp lead by Anytime Fitness
June 3rd- Mayo - Aerobics & Movement session lead by Footballer of the Year Andy Moran
June 10th- Dublin - HIIT Yoga lead by Julie B
June 17th- Dublin - DJ workout lead by Fearless Moves
Lorraine Walsh, head of marketing at laya healthcare, said that Gym+Coffee's Summer Stretch series represents the perfect partnership, "Providing health and wellbeing support and expertise is at the heart of our benefit, healthcoach by laya healthcare, and we're delighted to partner with Gym+Coffee and their Summer Stretch series of events. The events promise to be a fun mix of a fitness workout followed by a social gathering over coffee, and it's a great opportunity to meet new people who share similar interests in getting fit and healthy."
To register interest for the Summer Series visit https://gympluscoffee.com/blogs/events/launching-our-summerstretch-series-2018
Details of the full line up for Summer Series will be announced in the coming weeks on gympluscoffee.com and via instagram.com/gympluscoffee and facebook.com/gympluscoffee.
About Gym+Coffee
Gym+Coffee is an Irish athleisure clothing company that launched in January 2017. Founded by three friends with an aim to create an Irish brand and community that represents the growing active lifestyle in Ireland. Although fashion is at the forefront of the Gym+Coffee clothing, their brand ethos encompasses a whole lifestyle. Their mission is to encourage people to #MakeLifeRicher by adopting a lifestyle that balances healthy living with an active social life.
With the rising popularity of active-wear, Gym+Coffee felt that clothing was a perfect way to connect with this audience and promote this lifestyle. Their unique hoodies already have become favourites with The Happy Pear, Brian O'Driscoll, The Bodycoach Joe Wicks, Chloe Boucher, Andy Moran and David Gillick.
About healthcoach by laya healthcare
Healthcoach by laya healthcare is a brand-new benefit exclusively available to all laya healthcare members aged 18+ years giving them access to a consultation with a qualified Healthcoach who will design a personalised 8-week health programme encompassing all aspects of their health including fitness, nutrition and mental wellbeing. layahealthcoach.ie
Health insurance provided by Elips Insurance Ltd trading as Laya Healthcare. Laya Healthcare Ltd trading as Laya Healthcare and Laya Life is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Life insurance provided by IptiQ Life SA. Travel Insurance is provided by AIG Europe Limited.
Johnny Sexton kicks off Super Troopers with Laya Healthcare
238,000 school kids and almost half of all primary schools now participating in Ireland's only 'Health Homework' programme -
Rugby star, Johnny Sexton today kicked off Super Troopers with laya healthcare, Ireland's only 'Health Homework' programme currently running in almost half of all primary schools in Ireland with 238,000 school children, 162,000 families and 15,000 teachers taking part in the free initiative this year.
Super Troopers with laya healthcare encourages families to treat health and wellbeing with the same importance as traditional homework and features fun, short-burst activities that prompt children to get moving for at least 10-15 minutes at a time, building towards the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
Super Troopers also includes mindfulness challenges and expert tips on looking after overall health, such as the importance of getting enough sleep and drinking enough water, along with guidelines on healthy eating. The Programme aims to instil healthier behaviours and attitudes among young children and their families, behaviours that will positively serve them into adulthood. Its approach to health is holistic, covering three pillars; physical health, emotional wellbeing and nutrition.
Independent research among 1,280 school children, parents and teachers by health psychologist Professor David Hevey[1] from Trinity College Dublin found that Super Troopers has been successful in improving healthy behaviours among families:
- After taking part in Super Troopers, between one quarter and one third of children, parents and their families said they were more active
- One in four families admit to eating healthier as a result of participating
- Mindfulness and wellbeing one in four (23%) of children improved their stress management compared with before they started Super Troopers
Commenting at the launch of Super Troopers with laya healthcare, Johnny Sexton said being a Dad of two has opened his eyes to the importance of getting active as a family, "I'm a huge fan of Super Troopers, it's such a clever way to get kids more active with their families. Involving teachers in overseeing the health homework aspect of Super Troopers is an integral part of the Programme and that's really clever because we all know how conscientious parents are to make sure that homework is done and signed off on. I've already introduced my kids to some of the activities and they love them, it makes getting active together easy and fun. We love 'Musical Sprints'* and the '7 Day Happy Challenge'* in our house, it's great to see mindfulness encouraged among kids when they're so young."
Laya Healthcare's Deputy Managing Director D.O. O'Connor says Super Troopers has grown exponentially since it launched as a pilot in 2014, "In just four years, we've grown Super Troopers from 330 participating schools to over 1,510 and our ambition is to expand to all primary schools in time. At laya healthcare, we believe in the importance of instilling healthier habits at a younger age, by embedding healthy attitudes towards nutrition and fitness among families, we will help combat childhood obesity and ensure a healthier adult population in the future."
How can schools take part?
It's easy for schools to take part, they simply sign up to participate and all materials are then provided free of charge. Participating schools and families receive Super Trooper activity journals, family wall charts and a teacher's guide to the Programme. Because the activities are fun, children will want to repeat them and will therefore keep moving for longer. Children are also encouraged to use the journal to record other activities they do each day, such as football, dancing and swimming, to meet the daily activity target.
Super Troopers with laya healthcare is endorsed by the Government's Healthy Ireland framework for health and wellbeing. SuperValu is the official healthy eating partner to Super Troopers.
For registration details along with a guide to Super Trooper activities and recipes, please go to supertroopers.ie.
[1] Research carried out in 2017 among 1,280 school children, parents and teachers by health psychologist Professor David Hevey[1] from Trinity College Dublin
Laya Life Expands Product Offering to Include Mortgage Protection Cover
15 January 2018: Laya life, part of laya healthcare, today announced that it is expanding its existing suite of life insurance products to now offer mortgage protection. The new mortgage protection cover can be quickly and conveniently purchased online or over the phone, ensuring cover is in place with immediate effect.
Cover ranges from €50,000 to €400,000, for anyone aged between 17 and 59 and is available on a single or joint life basis. For those looking to purchase the new mortgage protection cover, laya life is offering a 10% discount to existing laya healthcare members with a further 10% for anyone purchasing online.
Dónal Clancy, Managing Director, laya healthcare said: "Life insurance can be complex for anyone interested in taking out cover but with laya life's suite of products, we are challenging this perception and simplifying the process to secure affordable life insurance and mortgage protection. We're delighted to expand our life insurance offering to mortgage protection cover, a product many of our members have been requesting. We had seen a significant increase in the number of members assigning their life insurance policies for mortgage purposes, so quickly moved to expand our offering to address this need.
"Our new simple mortgage protection product will deliver a more relevant product choice at very competitive prices. Both our life insurance and mortgage protection products are easy to purchase by simply answering a maximum of nine questions either over the phone or online, with cover put in place immediately once approved. We're expecting great demand, as unlike any other offering in the market our mortgage protection offers instant and affordable cover up to €400,000."
Joint Life Cover
As part of its newly- expanded life insurance offering, laya life will now offer level term life insurance and mortgage protection insurance on a joint life basis. Joint life cover is taken out for two people and is payable only on the first death during the term of the policy. By contrast, single life cover is taken out for one person only and is payable on their death, during the term of the policy.
For more information visit www.layalife.ie or contact the dedicated laya life customer sales team with any queries on 1890 907 100.
Laya Healthcare Announces Major 'Free Kids Offer'
-'Free Kids Offer' on Essential Connect Family and Essential Health 300 Schemes now available until 31st March 2018-
8th January 2017: To mark the busiest renewal period for health insurance, laya healthcare today announced a 'Free Kids Offer', with potential savings of hundreds of euros for families on their annual health insurance costs. This amazing new offer means that parents only pay for one child's health insurance and the rest go FREE on Essential Connect Family and Essential Health 300 schemes, no matter how many kids they have.
The 'Free Kids Offer' is available now and runs until 31st March 2018. For families (2 adults and 2 children) opting for laya healthcare's Essential Connect Family, the 'Free Kids offer' will bring a total saving of €374.32.
The Essential Connect Family and Essential Health 300 plans provide an innovative health insurance solution to Irish families with excellent hospital cover in both public and private hospitals and include:
- Three free visits to GPLive, laya healthcare's hugely convenient online GP consultation with Irish registered GPs available seven days a week, along with a home prescription service and unlimited phone access to GPs, nurses and physios 24/7
- Access to excellent overseas hospital cover, a handy benefit for families already planning their summer break abroad
- Adults on both plans can avail of healthcoach benefit, available to members aged 18 years+ at no additional cost, giving them access to a face-to-face consultation with a qualified Healthcoach who will design a personalised 8-week health programme encompassing all aspects of their health including fitness, nutrition and mental wellbeing
Commenting on the free kids offer, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare says: "We know affordability is front of mind for our members, and that's why we're delighted that families can avail of additional savings with our Kids Go Free offer."
To avail of laya healthcare's Kids Go Free offer, go to layahealthcare.ie or call 021 2022000.
Laya Healthcare announces plan to provide face-to-face healthcoach consultations to its members in exclusive new private health insurance benefit
- Healthcoach benefit is available to all members aged 18+ at no additional cost
- Personalised health programmes to help members take control of living and feeling better
- Multimillion euro investment to bring healthcoach by laya healthcare to the market, launching with six dedicated healthcoach clinics in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick
Tuesday, 14th November 2017: In the first move of its kind by a health insurer, laya healthcare today announced the launch of a new healthcoach benefit, available to members aged 18 years+ at no additional cost[1], giving them access to a face-to-face consultation with a qualified Healthcoach who will design a personalised 8-week health programme encompassing all aspects of their health including fitness, nutrition and mental wellbeing.
The biggest preventative health innovation laya healthcare has ever embarked on, healthcoach is an exclusive benefit available on renewal to all new and existing members who can access a face-to-face consultation with a qualified Healthcoach every two years in any of the six new dedicated healthcoach clinics located nationwide.
At each consultation, a qualified Healthcoachwill carry out a series of five non-diagnostic health assessments; blood pressure, glucose level, body composition, lung function and a fitness test. Using this personal health assessment, the qualified Healthcoaches will create a tailored health programme encompassing all aspects of a person's health, from fitness and nutrition to mental wellbeing. The personalised health programmes are then delivered to each individual member through a dedicated healthcoach App, which is available to download via the Apple Store and Google Play and can sync with Fitbit and Apple Watch wearables.
Healthcoachisunlike any other offering currently available in the market. Much more than a fitness app, healthcoachcontinuously monitors progress, and motivates members with new challenges and heathy rewards from leading nationwide retailers including Lifestyle Sports, Eason and Deliveroo.
Commenting on the launch of healthcoach by laya healthcare, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director said: "This is major news and an exciting departure for us as a health partner to our 580,000 members. We've spent over a year in planning and testing, and we're thrilled today to finally unveil our new healthcoach benefit to the world and open bookings for consultations with our Healthcoaches. With healthcoach, we want to empower our members to live and feel better, every day. It's about giving them the tools to achieve long-term healthy change and hit their goals, whether that's losing weight, getting fit, or reducing stress.
"Healthcoach is easy and intuitive to use, and I think what will really impress people is its personalisation. Our members will get a chance to choose their own Healthcoach, who will provide a tailored health programme to help them stay healthy and find the energy, motivation and information to make the right choices for them every day, with full digital support to allow them keep track of their progress and earn rewards for their efforts. We hope it will be a game-changer for laya healthcare and demonstrate to our members our ongoing commitment of 'Looking After You Always'", Clancy added.
The good news is that healthcoach doesn't stop after the first 8-week programme; the benefit evolves with the member, setting new goals and providing motivation, mentoring and expertise to support the on-going health needs of laya healthcare members as they progress and evolve. As well as fitness and nutritional advice, healthcoach will include online support tools such as wellbeing blogs, podcasts and videos to help members achieve their physical and mental wellbeing goals. The healthcoach benefit has a strong focus on wellbeing, with personal action plans supported with expert content from Clinical Psychologists covering emotional wellbeing, stress and anxiety, amongst other topics.
At launch, laya healthcare will have six dedicated healthcoach clinics located in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick, with additional locations to be announced in 2018.
Dublin healthcoach clinic
Cork healthcoach clinic
Little Island, Cork
Limerick healthcoach clinic
Thomond Park
Galway healthcoach clinic
Depending on their level of cover, new and existing laya healthcare members can avail of a face-to-face Healthcoach consultation once every two years at no additional cost. They can also choose an online-only consultation where they complete a self-assessment and can access their personalised health programme in the dedicated healthcoach App.
Leading Irish personal trainer and lifestyle coach Karl Henry, says healthcoach is unlike anything he's ever seen at an Irish or global level, "the whole area of health coaching is exploding right now because people want more than just gadgets and smartphone Apps to track their moves, they want personalised mentoring and motivation to improve everyday health behaviours and achieve measurable goals. What impresses me the most about healthcoach by laya healthcare is the personalised support from a dedicated Healthcoach, delivered through tailored health plans that cover fitness, nutrition and mental wellbeing. Having tried it, I can say with confidence that healthcoach will change people's lives and I urge laya healthcare members to avail of this transformative new benefit."
Laya healthcare is recognised for its innovation and preventative health screenings. Healthcoach is the latest innovation aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of its 580,000 members and marks a major evolution in laya healthcare's commitment in this space. All laya healthcare members will continue to have unique access to HeartBeat, the cardiac screening also available at no additional cost.
For further information on healthcoach by laya healthcare see layahealthcoach.ie
To watch a video on how healthcoach works, click here
For more information, please contact:
Lisa Dennehy, H+A Marketing + PR, M: 083 427 6298 E: firstname.lastname@example.com
Aideen McGrath, PR and Communications Manager, laya healthcare. T: 087 9273698 E: email@example.com
About laya healthcare and laya life
Laya healthcare is the second largest provider of private health insurance in Ireland with over half a million members. Laya healthcare offers some of the most innovative benefits in the Irish health insurance market along with life insurance (layalife.ie) and travel insurance (layatravelinsurance.ie). Its brand promise, Looking After You Always, represents laya healthcare's member-centric approach, which is fundamental to its vision and values.
In 2015 laya healthcare proudly became part of AIG, one of the strongest insurance organisations in the world with over 90 million customers in 100 countries and jurisdictions. With their experienced team and innovative insurance solutions, along with AIG's financial backing, global expertise and long term commitment to Ireland, laya healthcare expect to go from strength to strength, widening their offering and bringing value and innovation to Ireland's insurance market.
Health Insurance provided by Elips Insurance Ltd trading as Laya Healthcare. Life Insurance provided by IptiQ Life SA. Laya Healthcare Limited trading as Laya Healthcare and Laya Life is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
[1] Healthcoach benefit is free to all members aged 18+ years. Entry level or non-advanced scheme members will pay a subsidised rate for a face-to-face consultation with a Healthcoach
Laya Healthcare unveils major new brand repositioning campaign, 'It's good to live'
- TBWA\Dublin's first work for Ireland's second largest health insurance provider -
Laya healthcare today announced a major new brand repositioning campaign, centred around a purpose-driven theme "It's good to live". Created by TBWA\Dublin, the €2.5m integrated campaign is laya healthcare's biggest in five years, and strives to evolve the brand to win hearts and minds as a real health partner, not just a health insurer.
The multi-platform campaign will focus on "building a more emotional connection with our members, showing why it's so good to live for the moment, embrace life, its freedoms and all the imperfections that come with it", says Lorraine Walsh, head of marketing at laya healthcare.
"This new campaign represents a major step-change for us as a brand. For years, we occupied a comfortable space similar to other insurers, where we communicated how we would look after people when they were sick, about 3% of their lives. However, the reality is that people are well 97% of the time, and they need our help and encouragement to empower them to be healthy and stay healthy.
"We want to move the conversation with our members 'from fear to freedom', giving them the support and tools they need not just for a healthier life, but a better life. We want them to experience what it feels like to be alive, and to embrace the fun and playful side of life. We want our members to start reappraising laya healthcare, and look on us as more than just an insurer, but as a partner for health, wellbeing, travel and life insurance. We're so proud of this new campaign, and are excited about this major new brand journey we're about to take that will open up new conversations and experiences with our 580,000 members.", Walsh added.
Central to the campaign is an energetic and playful 40' TV creative, shot in Croatia, that captures people embracing the child-like joy and fun of rolling down a steep grassy hill. The radio execution delivers on the campaign's 'It's good to live' philosophy in a highly unusual and memorable way; the voice-over artist was recorded as she physically rolled down a hill in Phoenix Park, while the 'terms and conditions guy' did the same, bringing a refreshing, light-hearted tone to the radio scripts.
John Kilkenny, Creative Director at TBWA\Dublin, says that laya healthcare demonstrated real marketing courage to move the conversation marker in Ireland's health insurance market, "From the get-go, the team at laya healthcare embraced the life-affirming and playful direction we wanted to take them. They can see how the dynamics of Ireland's health insurance market are changing; those with health insurance now want their insurer to do more than just take the risk, they want an insurer to bring value to their health and be more of a health partner– in the good times, and the bad. Laya healthcare's new campaign will surprise and delight the audience, and win over a new generation who want to break free of the tired health insurance clichés and be empowered to live and feel better, always."
Carat Ireland planned the heavyweight new campaign, which will break on Wednesday, 25th October with full integration across TV, radio, digital, OOH, video-led social media, display and PR. Mixed length TV formats will be cut to 20/30/40 lengths, with shorter edits created by TBWA\Dublin specially shot for a digital campaign across Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.
In addition, a brand experiential campaign, led by PML, will feature a series of fun hopscotch decals pop up on the streets of Dublin, encouraging passers-by to jump in and experience how 'It's good to live'.
The new campaign marks a radically new philosophy and brand language for laya healthcare, underpinning a new strategic reset in the business aimed at empowering the member to look after their health and wellbeing so they can be at their very best, always.
Supporting agencies include:
Lead Creative agency: TBWA\Dublin. John Kilkenny & Des Creedon – Creative Directors, Paula Kelly – Group Account Director, Amy Satelle – Account Manager & Alexandra Cullen - Senior Producer.
TV Director: Richie Smith, Director
TV Production: Pull the Trigger, Max Brady
Media Planning: Carat Ireland. Ciara St. Lawrence, Account Director, Jordan Dunne – Account Executive
Experiential + OOH: PML.Pat Cassidy, Digital, Innovation and Experiential Manager
PR: H+A Marketing + PR, Ciaran Curran – Account Director
Digital: iProspect
Social media: TBWA\Dublin and Dyjaho
Laya Healthcare partners with Affidea to create new network of consultant-led minor injury and illness clinics
September 18 2017: In a move set to be welcomed by its 580,000 members, laya healthcare today announced a partnership with Affidea – Ireland's leading independent provider of diagnostic imaging services including MRI, Ultrasound, X-ray, CT and Dexa scans – to access Express Care, a new network of rapid-access minor injury and illness clinics across Ireland.
The first of the urgent-care clinics will open in Cork and Dublin in December 2017, and will be open to all members of the public. The consultant-led Express Care clinics will treat a wide range of minor illnesses and injuries including minor burns, sports injuries, fractures and sprains or possible breaks. Treatment will also be available for minor illnesses including fever, rashes and infections. Laya healthcare members will have access to the latest diagnostic services on-site including MRI, ultrasound, CT and X-ray.
The walk-in clinics will open from 10am to 10pm, 365 days a year; with no appointment required for urgent care. The clinics aim to treat patients within one hour, and will treat young children from 12 months onwards.
Commenting on the partnership, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare said: "This is welcome news for laya healthcare members, and for all those with and without health insurance. We're thrilled to work with a partner as established as Affidea; they bring world-class experience and the most advanced treatment and technology solutions to urgent healthcare that will benefit our 580,000 members. Together, we have huge ambitions to transform rapid-access minor injury and illness clinical care in Ireland."
Affidea Ireland CEO Tom Finn added: "We're delighted to partner with laya healthcare. From the get-go, they demonstrated an ambition to provide an extraordinary patient service in urgent care centres for minor injuries and illnesses. Affidea Express Care will provide immediate access to all who require its services."
Today's announcement is part of Affidea's 2025 strategic plan to evolve the company from just diagnostics to providing as many of the adjacent services as possible, and the introduction of Express Care clinic is the start of this exciting transition.
Laya healthcare will reimburse between 50-75% of the initial fee across many of our schemes.Other schemes will allow a monetary amount to be put towards the outpatient excess.
It's unacceptable for health insurance holders to pay twice for treatment in public hospitals
78% of Irish Adults Say It's Unacceptable for Health Insurance Holders to Pay Twice for Treatment in Public Hospitals
- Customers paying twice, once through their taxes and again through insurance, amounts to "Double Taxation" – Insurance Ireland calling for policy review
- 62% Unaware that private patients can be charged over ten times the public rate for the same treatment according to research by Insurance Ireland
Over three quarters of Irish adults feel that charging those with private health insurance for treatment in a public hospital twice, once through general taxation and again through their policy, is unacceptable according to a nationwide poll conducted by Ipsos MRBI. While up to 82% of respondents with health insurance considered this practice unacceptable, a broadly similar sentiment was expressed by those without a health insurance policy (73% consider unacceptable).
The research was conducted to gauge the level of understanding and attitudes of the public to the introduction of the Health Amendment Act 2013. Following the introduction of the Act, health insurance customers are charged a private rate for public treatment in public hospitals. To allow for this, patients are being asked to sign a Private Insurance Patient form which means they waive their right to treatment as public patients.
The research found that most people (65% of adults) were unaware that the form asks insurance holders to waive their right to public treatment. Of those admitted to a public hospital in the past 24 months who had been asked to sign the form, just 30% of those surveyed were aware of its purpose. Almost two-thirds (62%) of those surveyed were unaware that by signing the form health insurers could be charged over ten times more than the public rate, for a public service that policy holders are already entitled to.
When the charge was introduced, it was stated that it would cost no more than €45 million in a full year but is estimated to now cost approximately €200 million in a full year.
Kevin Thompson, CEO of Insurance Ireland stated "It is important that patients understand what they are being asked to sign when presented with this form in A & E. This research has confirmed that there is a lack of public awareness of the practice or indeed the cost implications of health insurance customers waiving their right to public treatment."
"We believe that asking private health insurance customers to pay twice for a service they are already entitled to, once through taxation and again via their health insurance, is not fair or equitable and amounts to double taxation. This measure has introduced approximately €200 million in additional claims costs in the system and the policy needs to be reviewed."
Kevin Thompson concluded "Patients are being presented with a choice on admittance to Public Hospitals through A & E. When health insurance customers are asked to sign this form, they should ask what additional services they are going to receive by waiving their right to public treatment. If they choose not to sign, they can be reassured that their insurer will still cover their costs. We want to highlight what the form requests and what its cost impacts are".
Find out more here.
Insurance Ireland is the Voice of Insurance in Ireland representing the Life, Non-Life, International, Reinsurance and captive sectors in Ireland. The Insurance Ireland Health Council comprises representatives of Irish Life Health, Laya Healthcare and VHI.
- 82% of those with health insurance (69% strongly disagree & 13% somewhat disagree) and 73% of those without health insurance (54% strongly disagree & 19% somewhat disagree) disagree with the statement that "it is acceptable for those with health insurance to pay for their public hospital treatment twice, once through general taxation and again through their insurance policy".
- When Private Health Insurance customers sign this form in public hospitals their health insurer is charged €813 per day. Those treated as public patients pay a nightly rate of €80 which is capped at €800 in any 12-month period. If patients choose the public treatment option, their insurer will also cover this cost.
- The reference to a full year cost of €45 million was contained in a letter from the Department of Health to the Chair of the Insurance Ireland Health Council on the 29th of November 2013.
- Reference to cost of €200 million: Minister Simon Harris, 16th November 2016: "I heard Deputies talk about the public hospital subsidising the private system. People need to make those comments in the context of initiatives that have taken place in recent years because since 2004 we have seen the new charging regime for private patients in public hospitals. Our insurers must now pay for all private patients in public hospitals. To give some figures on that, we have seen payments increase from €454 million between July 2013 to July 2014 to €650 million from July 2015 to July 2016."
Microsoft Dynamics provides windows of opportunity for Laya Healthcare
After rolling out a suite of solutions with Microsoft Dynamics, laya healthcare was invited to be the focus customer in the Sunday Business Post's CRM Supplement. Here Therese Condon, our Corporate Development Manager discusses how the Microsoft Dynamics CRM system has supported digital transformation within laya healthcare.
Read more here.
US Business Report in Ireland
More than 700 US companies now use Ireland as a hub for their European operations, an invaluable launch pad for their successful growth around the world. The Irish Examiner has produced a US focused supplement, in association with the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland looking at why this relationship has been such a success for all involved. The supplement offers insight on the unique mix of factors which underpin both the determination of US companies to continue trading in Ireland, and the determination of Irish authorities to work with their very welcome guests. Ireland's winning attributes for US investment include a shared language and heritage, access to EU markets, a highly educated talent pool, a state-endorsed openness to welcome overseas workers to plug any talent gaps, plus a flexible third level education system rapidly evolving to move with and service new industry and market trends
Over the past 12 months we have provided 1,600 Health and Wellness programmes to some of Ireland's leading companies. This is why Health and Wellness by laya is the largest provider of corporate wellness programmes in Ireland.
Read more in the article here. If you'd like a copy of the full supplement please contact firstname.lastname@example.com
Health homework programme rolled out to 25% more schools nationwide
Habit changing health homework programme rolled out to 25% more schools nationwide - super news for Super Troopers as
programme goes from strength to strength
Almost 200,000 children taking part
Enhanced wellbeing and nutrition activities
Official healthy eating partner introduced
Wednesday, 28th September 2016: Now in its third year, Super Troopers with Laya Healthcare is being rolled out to the highest number of primary schools to date nationwide. For the coming school year 1,250 primary schools and almost 200,000 children will complete the enhanced Super Troopers health homework programme which aims to encourage more physical activity and healthy eating in children, parents and teachers.
This is a 25% increase in participation from the previous school year during which 1,000 schools nationwide took part in the programme. The 2016/17 health homework programme was officially launched this morning with Johnny Sexton, Irish International and Leinster Rugby fly-half and Seán Cavanagh, Captain Tyrone GAA Senior Football team.
Ireland's first health homework programme, Super Troopers encourages children and their families to have a positive attitude towards physical activity, wellbeing and nutrition and aims to change practical lifestyle habits to help children and families lead healthy lifestyles. The programme has been developed with educational specialists Real Nation alongside experts in physical activity, nutrition, education, well-being and psychology. The health homework programme gives equal prominence to health as is given to academic subjects and includes short burst, fun activities that can involve all the family. This year, the wellbeing and nutrition elements of the programme have been enhanced to ensure children focus on a healthy mind and a healthy body, with the introduction of new activities on emotions, mindfulness and meditation.
"We're very proud of the success of Super Troopers over the past two years, and we're delighted to have almost 200,000 children participate in the enhanced programme this year. At laya healthcare we believe that a healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body and we've introduced some wonderful activities to encourage the children to focus on their feelings and wellbeing. We're also delighted to welcome SuperValu on board as official healthy eating partner to Super Troopers. With SuperValu's focus on getting Ireland cooking and eating together it seems a natural fit for our programme." said Lorraine Walsh Head of Marketing at laya healthcare.
Commenting on the partnership Ray Kelly, Marketing Director at SuperValu said "As the leading Irish retailer we are delighted to partner with laya healthcare to become the official healthy eating partner to Super Troopers. The programme is a fantastic initiative to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families across Ireland and the success to date speaks for itself. At SuperValu we are taking on healthy eating with a particular focus on getting families cooking. It is our vision to grow a generation healthier than the last. By partnering with Super Troopers we want to get Ireland's children to pay attention to what they eat through cooking, and in doing so, we will help make Ireland's children healthier."
The Super Troopers programme is delivered through Activity Journals for each child, Family Wall Charts to keep track of their progress and information letters for parents and teachers on the programme.
"When we asked teachers what they thought of the programme, we received glowing grades. Nearly three quarters of the teachers we spoke with said that Super Troopers encouraged an increase in the children's daily activity levels and integrated well with the PE curriculum, while 86% said they would recommend it to other teachers," said Lorraine Walsh.
"Parents were also extremely positive towards Super Troopers; 94% said they enjoyed taking part in the activities with their children. Eighty-five per cent of parents said that Super Troopers resulted in increased activity at home for their children.
Key to the success of Super Troopers is that it is not based on how fit or able a child is; it's about participating and having fun while learning. We hope that it sets the foundations for a whole generation of healthy habits in the future," continued Lorraine Walsh.
Visit www.supertroopers.ie for lots of ideas and tips on physical activity and wellbeing activities; as well as some tasty and healthy recipes for all the family.
Almost half of Irish employees spend four days out of work visiting their GP each year
· Estimated cost of lost time is €462m every year for employers*
· Employees with kids who need GP care miss an additional four days a year
22nd August, 2016: Almost half (45%) of Irish employees on average miss more than four working days every year as a result of attending GP appointments, new research released today by laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest private health insurer, reveals.
The cost of this absence from work to employers is €462m per annum.
On average it takes an employee 50 minutes to meet face-to-face with their GP, including travel time and time spent in the GP waiting room with those needing GP services spending just over four days a year visiting their doctor. One in two employees admit they feel guilty about taking time out of work to visit their GP, with the majority (86%) trying to schedule visits outside of work hours.
Employees with children fare even worse; almost half of those surveyed (48%) with children said they had to bring their child to the GP, missing an extra four days on average out of their work schedule.
The research was commissioned to mark the launch of two new digital services from laya healthcare:
- GPlive, Ireland's first seven-days-a-week, out-of-hours video GP consultation service to be offered by an Irish health insurer, laya healthcare in partnership with Webdoctor**. The service will offer face-to-face consultations, with opening hours of 8am - 10pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm Saturday and 10am - 4pm on Sundays
- 24/7 Prescription Service, an online private prescription service for repeat prescriptions for on-going conditions such as asthma and high cholesterol.
Laya healthcare's research identified that 40% of face-to-face GP visits could have been avoided by using convenient video GP consultations, with over a fifth of workers (22%) taking time out to visit their GP in order to refill a prescription and a similar number (18%) going to their doctor with cold or flu symptoms, both of which could have been handled through advanced online GP and smart prescription services.
Commenting at the launch of laya healthcare's new services Dr Sylvester Mooney, Clinical Director of GPlive and the CareOnCall Prescription Service, says the new service will offer unrivalled convenience and potentially significant savings for busy professionals:
"We've seen a massive uplift in the popularity of online GP consultations and expect to be treating several hundred thousand patients using this software in the next five years. We see GPlive as a complementary service to the traditional GP consultation model. Through video consultations, our team of Irish registered doctors can safely treat many general health conditions that patients frequently visit their GPs with such as colds and flu, skin conditions and kidney infections, cystitis and urinary infections as well as stress and mental health queries, amongst others. It's a brilliantly convenient service for working parents too, with extensive out of hour's availability that can be booked in real-time via smartphone, tablet or PC. For many, the potential cost savings of this new service will be a huge appeal with cost of a GPlive video consultation from €22 and approximately €20 for repeat prescriptions.
"Through the use of the smartphone app and webcam, we can see our patients through GPlive, ask probing questions and use phone cameras and lights to get a closer look if needed," Mooney explained.
The laya healthcare research reveals there is a demand for this new GP video consultation service with 57% of people polled happy to use face-to-face online GP services because it means not having to leave your home, spend time traveling to a GP surgery or spend time in a waiting room. Some 68% of those who would use the online GP service would do so because of its speed and convenience and 51% stated it would enable them to speak to a GP even when feeling too ill to travel to a GP surgery.
Both new services will be made available via a dedicated smartphone app or via www.careoncall.ie. Many of laya healthcare's schemes offer a specific number of free GPlive consultations, while all members will receive a 20% discount for GPlive and Prescription Service, paying a discounted fee of between €22.40 and €28 for GPlive consultations and approximately €20 for repeat prescriptions.
Speaking at the launch of these new services Deputy Managing Director of laya healthcare D.O. O'Connor commented: "With over half a million members, we are constantly striving to offer our members access to the most innovative and progressive health and wellness services on the market. We know convenience is key for people who are unwell or whose child is sick. This is particularly the case for people who are working and who can't get to their local GP easily or where they may have to wait a few days to make an appointment," said Mr O'Connor.
"Through our newly expanded CareOnCall service, you can get qualified medical advice around the clock, and this really ties in with our brand promise to Look After You Always. Our new services offer cost-effective convenience combined with a high standard of clinical excellence."
As a clinically led service, GPlive and the repeat Prescription Service have stringent controls in place in relation to confidentiality, data control and protection, technology and the regulatory environment. All data is stored securely and no confidential information will ever be sent by email. The services use the same security as banks to ensure your information is safe and secure.
About CareOnCall:
GPlive and Prescription Service are the latest additions to laya healthcare's existing CareOnCall benefit. Introduced in 2015, CareOnCall offers 24/7 phone access to GPs, Nurses as well as access to Physioline for musculoskeletal injuries. The addition of GPlive and the home Prescription Service strengthens the CareOnCall offering and ensures it is the most holistic offering of its kind on the market. All GPlive doctors are fully covered by the relevant medical indemnities insurance. All GPlive GPs are registered with the Irish Medical Council and practice medicine in Ireland.
CareOnCall is available to all laya healthcare members from their policy renewal on desktop, mobile and tablet by visiting CareOnCall.ie or downloading the CareOnCall app. Phone 1890 904 067 to speak to a member of the laya healthcare team. To find out more about CareOnCall check out our video here.
About the Research:
Research carried out by Ignite Research on behalf of laya healthcare in 2016. Nationally representative research was conducted among 1,182, adults aged 18+ in full time employment.
- Almost half (45%) of Irish employees on average miss over four working days every year as a result of attending GP appointments (actual number missed 4.06 days)
- Half of those surveyed with children (48%) said they had to bring their child to the GP, missing an extra four days on average out of their work schedule as a result
- It takes on average 50 minutes to get face-to-face with a GP in their surgery. This is made up of an average of 26 minutes travel time from their place of work to their GP surgery and on average 24 minutes in the GP waiting room
- More than 50% of employees feel guilty taking time off work for GP visits. 47% of those surveyed stated they always try to schedule a GP visit outside of work hours, with the majority (46%) arranging these appointments in the evening after work and 34% trying to visit their GP in the morning before work and 14% trying to visit their GP during their lunch break
- 40% of GP visits could have been eliminated using online GP services such as laya healthcare's GPlive and Prescription Service, as the reason for 22% of the last GP visits were to refill a prescription and 18% as a result of suspected cold or flu, both of which could have been handled through these two services
- Research results identified that 6 in 10 surveyed would be willing to use a face-to-face online GP service. Top reasons for this choice:
- 68% of employees are interested in this type of service due to its speed and convenience - not having to leave your home, spend time traveling to a GP surgery or spend time in a waiting room
- 51% of those surveyed are willing to use this type of online GP service as it would enable them to speak to a GP even when feeling too ill to travel to a GP surgery.
* €34,323 average salary of all who participated in survey. On average 21 working days per month. €553 per employee for time missed based on average of 4.06 days. 1.9m in full time employment based on CSO Quarterly National Household Survey Q1 201. 44% have missed an average of 4.06 days & 56% have not missed any time due to GP visits.
** Webdoctor is an Irish company that is a recognised leader and innovator in telemedicine
Over 300 free spectacular shows at Ireland's biggest summer festival
Laya Healthcare's City Spectacular will return to Dublin's Merrion Square this July 8th – 10th and to Cork's Fitzgerald Park on July 16th and 17th. Entry to this family friendly festival is entirely FREE of charge. The festival runs over three days in Dublin and two days in Cork, showcasing the best in international street performance, interactive family activations and workshops, delicious artisan producers and international street food.
Speaking in anticipation of this year's Laya Healthcare's City Spectacular, Director Shell Holden commented, "This year's festival will come to life through an exciting line-up of talent including reptile-tattooed sideshow superstar The Lizardman, puppetry royalty Bosco, Bruce Springsteen's favourite street performer contortionist Alakazam – the human knot and the larger-than-life 8ft fully-animated Titan the Robot."
"New areas to explore at this July's festival include Laya Healthcare's Greatest Place on Earth; a spellbinding land where families can play, dance and create together, an international street food festival with a live music stage and waiter service, and a pet wellness area with the D.S.P.C.A where festival-goers can get their dogs microchipped or be the star of the Scruffs Dog Show. We would love everyone - families, friends, couples and pet pooches - to come join in the celebrations and enjoy our FREE festival this July," added Holden.
Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest health insurance provider, has once again committed its support to the family festival, and is focusing on children's health and wellbeing at this year's event. "We are delighted to announce our three-year sponsorship of Laya Healthcare's City Spectacular, which is the biggest free family summer festival in Ireland," said D.O. O'Connor, Deputy Managing Director of laya healthcare. "Each year the festival has grown and developed and we look forward to having the best festival yet in 2016."
"At laya healthcare, giving back to our members through free family events like Laya Healthcare City Spectacular is another demonstration of our brand promise of 'looking after you always' and we look forward once again to welcoming the crowds in both Dublin and Cork to this unique festival."
Family health, fitness and wellbeing will be central to Laya Healthcare's Greatest Place on Earth area with free kid's aerobics, yoga and dance classes. Ireland's much loved puppet Bosco will make a special trip to this area to support the festival's official charity partner, LauraLynn Ireland's Children's Hospice.
For the first year Laya Healthcare's City Spectacular is celebrating all things pets in Merrion Square this July. Bring your pooch along to PET-acular with the D.S.P.C.A and they could be the star of the 'Scruffs Dog Show', hang out in the King of Paws agility arena and set tails wagging in their very own photo shoot. The wonderful team at the D.S.P.C.A will also provide microchipping and pet health advice. When we say fun for all the family we mean fun for ALL the family, including the 4-legged members!
This year, there is also a dedicated international street food festival within Laya Healthcare's City Spectacular called Just Eat Street. Visitors are invited to devour over 25 different cuisines from around the world, enjoy music from international musical acts, and play in the sunshine with friends and family. Just Eat will provide a waiter service that will take and deliver food orders for festival-goers, so that they can take a seat and enjoy the festivities!
The ESB Spark Your Imagination area is a creative hub for children, designed to inspire, educate and feed the imagination. Here you'll find a feast for the senses with creative writing workshops from Fighting Words, fun and games from Imaginosity Dublin Children's Museum, science and electricity shows from mad German scientist Doktor Kaboom and French wooden games from Festi-Jeux for all children to enjoy.
Laya healthcare will once again bring their ever-popular Kid's Court to the family-loving festival, but this year it is even messier, meaner and more mischievous than ever! Children can put their parents on trial, who may be sentenced to a custard-pie-in-the-face or a bucket of iced water thrown as punishment.
Laya Healthcare's City Spectacular will take place from July 8th – 10th in Dublin's Merrion Square and July 16th and 17th in Cork's Fitzgerald Park
For the full programme of fun activities and excitement at Laya Healthcare's City Spectacular check out cityspectacular.com
Laya healthcare & Rob Kearney launch HEAD ON Concussion Management Programme
Laya healthcare invests €100,000 in programme to screen 1,350 amateur Leinster rugby club players
16TH February 2016: Laya Healthcare, with Leinster full-back Rob Kearney, today launched its HEAD ON Concussion Management Programme. The programme, which is being launched in association with Leinster Rugby, is the largest concussion screening to be rolled out in Ireland.
The HEAD ON Concussion Management Programme will deliver 1,350 baseline screenings to amateur rugby players aged over 16 years from Leinster clubs, free of charge. A 20% discount on the screening is also available to all other Irish rugby clubs.
Laya healthcare is investing €100,000 in the initiative, the first major public health programme as part of laya healthcare's Health & Wellness Partnership with Leinster Rugby. To date, more than eight million people worldwide have been screened using the technology behind laya healthcare's concussion management programme.
Leinster full-back Kearney, said: "There has been a lot of talk around the issue of concussion recently and it is something that is taken very seriously within the sport. While the incidence of reported concussion is on the up, much of this can be put down to the general increase in awareness around the problem, which is a good thing in my view. We have excellent return to play protocols which has really helped the game. Education is key to helping prevent long-term effects of concussion and being able to recognise the symptoms of suspected concussion is hugely important. Players, coaches and parents need to understand that if there is any doubt, players should rest and not take any unnecessary risks.
"The launch today of laya healthcare's 'HEAD ON Concussion Management Programme' is a significant initiative for the amateur game. As professional players, we have access to the best medical support but it's fantastic that rugby players at amateur level will now have access to free screenings and follow-up screenings if needed. I would urge coaches across the province to make sure they have booked their team in for a screening", Kearney urged.
Dr. Ciaran Cosgrave, Head Doctor with Leinster Rugby, highlights that concussion can happen at any age, particularly in high-impact sports. He said: "While it is difficult to stop incidents of concussion from happening, we do have protocols in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the players and it is hugely important that anyone who suffers a suspected concussion follows these protocols before returning to play."
The testing carried out as part of laya healthcare's HEAD ON Concussion Management Programme is clinically led and has been widely used and endorsed by sporting organisations from around the world including the IRFU and NFL.
"There is growing awareness and concern about the potential long-term physical and cognitive impact of concussion in rugby and other contact sports," said D.O. O'Connor, Deputy Managing Director with laya healthcare. "While professional rugby players have access to expert knowledge and experienced backroom medical teams, we want to take this opportunity to extend the awareness and understanding of concussion, particularly repeated concussions, among younger players and those playing at amateur level. It's vital that players, parents and coaches understand the signs and symptoms of concussion. At laya healthcare we are pursuing a proactive approach to managing and reducing the risk of sports-related concussion especially among amateur and youth players."
Dr. Cosgrave points out the risks of overlooking a suspected concussion: "Ignoring the signs and symptoms of concussion could result in a serious brain injury or death and providing players, parents and coaches with simple tips and advice is key to growing awareness and understanding of concussion. We welcome laya healthcare's HEAD ON screening initiative and look forward to working with them in rolling it out to youth rugby teams."
Registration for the HEAD ON Concussion Management Programme is simple and free of charge for rugby clubs in Leinster. Simply call our Freephone number 1800 844 864, email email@example.com or go online to layahealthcare.ie/HeadOn. Baseline screenings will be rolled out in March 2016, with follow-up screenings available to players if required. Laya healthcare is also offering a 20 per cent discount on the cost of screenings for any other Irish rugby clubs outside Leinster.
One in three Irish primary schools sign up to Super Troopers health homework
- Leading psychologist backs habit-changing programme that places equal importance on physical activity as regular schoolwork -
Tuesday, 20th October, 2015: Some 180,000 school children, 7,000 teachers and 75,000 families are currently signed up to the biggest health homework programme in Ireland. Super Troopers with laya healthcare, which encourages teachers, parents and children to treat the task of daily physical activity with the same importance as their regular school homework and other subjects, is now in place in more than 1,000 or one third of all Ireland's primary schools. Registration is still open for more schools to sign up to the programme until October 30th.
The programme has been designed by teachers for teachers and is backed by leading clinical psychologist and parenting expert, David Coleman. Coleman explains that the unique part of the Super Troopers initiative is that it is a long-term habit-changing programme for children to encourage positive attitudes towards healthy eating, well-being and exercise and not a quick-fix solution.
"Super Troopers is unique in that it is the first health programme that bridges school with home, and connects kids with their 'triangle of influence' - peers, teachers and families - to get more active and learn healthy habits together. It is building good habits from a young age," said Mr Coleman.
"While it's aimed, in part, at tackling the issue of childhood obesity, Super Troopers is a game changer as it concentrates more on fostering healthy attitudes and behaviours around physical activity, food and wellbeing that kids can take from childhood into their adulthood," continued Coleman.
According to Safe Food, one in four children in Ireland is currently overweight or obese*. As the biggest health homework programme in Ireland, Super Troopers is endorsed by Healthy Ireland, which recently announced an action plan that involves every part of Irish society in improving our health and wellbeing.
"We need more intervention initiatives like this that are less concerned with 'quick fixes' and more invested in long-term preventative healthcare that deliver measurable attitudinal and behavioural shifts," said Mr Coleman. "I'd encourage teachers and schools to sign up for Super Troopers if they've not yet done so."
Running over 30 weeks and involving teachers, parents and children aged 4-12 years,Super Troopers provides an easy-to-follow physical activity homework planner based on short-burst activities that combine daily exercise with imaginative fun.
"The aim of Super Troopers is daringly simple," said Lorraine Walsh, Head of Marketing at laya healthcare. "We want to instil positive health habits in kids and embed them in a powerful, impactful way that allows them become healthier adults. That's the ultimate goal."
Ms Walshexplained that creating a programme that complemented the school curriculum is key to the success of Super Troopers, "Our programme is designed by teachers, for teachers and we've been blown away by the reaction of the thousands of teachers who have embraced it. We've managed to put fun at the heart of a very serious health mission that allows kids complete health and activity-based 'homework' collaboratively with their teachers and schoolmates and also with their family at home."
Susan Gibney, Principal, Queen of Angels Primary School, a school in Wedgewood, Dublin, says that Super Troopers with laya healthcare brought fresh thinking and a fresh approach to physical activity that teachers, children and parents embraced with zeal, "Super Troopers ties in perfectly with the movement breaks we wanted to introduce to the school. The programme is inclusive and it made a tangible impact to the overall wellbeing of our school children and their families during the pilot year, so we didn't hesitate to sign up again this year. It's no longer a case of 'them' and 'us' when it comes to parents and teachers and whose role it is to encourage children to get more physically active. With Super Troopers we work together collaboratively. It sounds so simple, but it really has delivered a breakthrough in our school's approach to physical activity and general wellbeing."
Registration for Super Troopers is open for a limited time; primary schools and teachers who have not yet signed up for Super Troopers have until Friday, 30th October 2015 to register. For more information go to www.supertroopers.ie or call 01 522 48 48.
Laya healthcare kicks off exclusive health & wellness partnership with Leinster rugby
2nd September 2015: Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest health insurance provider, was today announced as the official Health & Wellness Partnerto Leinster Rugby.
The sponsorship sees laya healthcare line up with Leinster players and backroom medical and fitness experts to promote a series of high-profile public health and wellness initiatives.
The innovative health partnership with Leinster Rugby marks a period of significant growth for laya healthcare in Dublin and the wider Leinster region. It will help boost awareness of its major and ongoing investment in preventative health and wellness, including HeartBeat, the unique cardiac screening offered to more than half a million laya healthcare members.
Commenting on the union, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director at laya healthcare says, "Our Health & Wellness agreement with Leinster Rugby marks a major and very positive step change in our ambition and commitment to health and wellness; not just for our members but for the wider public too. By tapping into the positive power of sport and the expertise of players and the backroom team alike, we hope to empower as many people as possible to embrace innovative new ways to take control of their health and enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
"From the outset it became clear just how closely aligned Leinster Rugby and laya healthcare are in terms of our shared values and vision around health and wellness. We are both passionate and committed to encouraging fans, players and spectators alike to discover the benefits of healthy lifestyles, boost participation and explore the positive impact of preventative health. Thanks to the commitment of our respective teams, both on and off the pitch, I'm excited by the season ahead and I look forward to the health and wellness partnership kicking off at the first of the Guinness PRO12 fixtures against Edinburgh on 4th September."
As Leinster Rugby's Official Health & Wellness partner, laya healthcare will work closely with Leinster Rugby's expert backroom team including fitness experts, nutritionists and physiotherapists, to create a series of engaging and informative content to share with laya healthcare members, Leinster Rugby fans, and the general public.
Leinster Rugby Chief Executive, Michael Dawson said: "Laya healthcare is a leading name in Irish health insurance and its profile and reputation for being an innovator in the whole health and wellness space is growing at an impressive pace. We're excited to have such a respected brand on board as the Official Health & Wellness Partner to Leinster Rugby. There is huge scope and potential to make a positive difference.
"I look forward to the season ahead and I look forward to seeing the health and wellness innovations that laya healthcare are planning to roll out among the Leinster Rugby coaches, players and of course supporters."
The partnership sees Leinster Rugby's Senior squad, Under-20, Under-19 and Women's Rugby team all carry the laya healthcare brand on their shorts and the team's game in Edinburgh on Friday, 4th September will see the first outing of laya healthcare's brand on the Senior Team's kit.
€105,321 - The cost of raising a child from cradle to college
New research published today by laya life reveals that the average cost of raising a child until their 21st birthday in Ireland can be as much as €105,321, with the majority of parents (77%) admitting they put too much pressure on themselves to give their kids everything.
The research breaks out the significant costs parents incur over the first 21 years of their child's life; from the everyday cost of food and clothing, to the higher costs of childcare and education. Irish households are spending an average of €11,033.64 every year on their children.
The cost of childcare is the biggest outlay for parents each year at €4,049.42*, representing a major slice [7%] of the annual household income**. This is closely followed by the cost of university and third level college fees each year (€4,056.24), and other education-related costs including school books, uniforms and extra-curriculum classes which amount to €1,707.12 a year. The majority of parents say they are just about keeping their heads above water, with almost 6 out of 10 (57%) admitting they are currently not able to put any money aside for savings.
Cutting back on living expenses
Despite the high costs of raising kids through to college years, less than a third (31%) of parents have estimated the future costs of supporting their kids until they are old enough to support themselves, with slightly less (29%) putting a savings plan in place to cover the future costs of raising them. Worryingly, only two-fifths (42%) of Irish parents do not have life insurance in place to protect their family should the worst happen.
Almost half (45%) of parents admit they have cancelled insurances in an attempt to cut back on costs, with one in four (28%) cancelling their pension for the same reason. Most worryingly, almost one in two (48%) Irish parents have put off saving for their retirement to help support their kids financially.
Age of independence
The average age from which Irish parents expect their children to fully support themselves is 24 years. However, Irish parents are most likely to want to help their children when it comes to buying their first home with almost two-fifths (38%) saying they'd like to put money towards their child's first home and a third (33%) planning to help them financially when they get married. Meanwhile, one in three parents (30%) hopes to be in a position to give their kids a financial dig-out when they decide to have a family of their own.
Well-known economists Joseph Durkan and Moore McDowell - who collaborated in the laya life research - say the findings throw up an interesting contradiction in respect of the generous, well-meaning intentions of parents and their current ability to save:
"It's crystal clear from the research that Irish parents want to provide financial stability for their children, but they are still suffering from the effects of the recent economic downturn - 'The Great Recession'. It's the worst recession the world has experienced since the Great Depression of the 1930s, and the worst in Ireland since the 1950s. Many parents today have raised their children in exceptionally difficult financial circumstances and it's clear from the research that savings and important financial protection such as life insurance have been put on the long finger or forgotten altogether as parents fight to survive financially.
"However, if they want to secure the future against 'shocks' such as the consequence of a premature death of a parent, they must have a savings strategy. Pension planning for retirement is an obvious example, but there are many other plans that parents should consider. Insurance in various forms is central to such a savings strategy and what's worrying about this research is that it appears that half of parents aren't saving anything, and a huge majority - 64% - have cut back essential financial protection such as life insurance and pensions. This needs to be reversed as the economy recovers", Durkan and McDowell warned.
Talking about death is taboo
Death and dying remain taboo with a quarter (25%) of mums and dads admitting they aren't comfortable talking about their death with their spouse and family, and less than a third (29%) of Irish parents having considered their own funeral arrangements.
Widow urges other parents to talk about the future cost of raising kids
Widow and mum of three, Aiveen Casey, has backed the laya life research and urged other parents to have an honest - albeit uncomfortable - discussion about the future and how they would manage financially should the worst happen. Aiveen's husband, Dominic, passed away unexpectedly in 2010 after a routine medical procedure. He had been diagnosed with leukemia in May 2010, and died just 10 weeks later. He was 46 years old.
Aiveen says, "Dealing with grief is a horrendous process and unfortunately there's no blueprint; nobody can prepare you for such a soul-destroying situation. As a family we tried to look after each other, and get through it together. But you soon come to the realisation that life has to go on - the bills keep coming in and the cost of running a home doesn't stop."
When Aiveen and Dominic had their family, Dominic felt very strongly about taking out life insurance to ensure the family could survive if either he or Aiveen were to die.
"Dominic always wanted to ensure that if anything happened to him we'd be looked after. It meant that when he died, I was able to keep life as normal as possible for our kids, who were then aged 5, 14 and 18 years. While our mortgage repayments were settled after Dominic died, it was the other general day-to-day costs such as the cost of school books, uniforms, running a car, insurance costs, utilities and the many other hidden costs that really added-up. I was lucky that I didn't have childcare costs but as a childcare professional, I know that in some cases these costs can be similar to paying off a mortgage. Dominic and I often talked about the future and how we'd protect the kids should anything happen, I'm so glad that we did. It made a very difficult time a little more bearable," Aiveen said.
To find out how you can protect your family with a lump sum of up to €200,000 from as little as €10.10 a month visit layalife.ie
Other survey highlights:
*Research carried out by Empathy Research among 1,000 parents, 1-10th June 2015
Research Methodology
Empathy research carried out an online survey to establish the expenditure per household of Irish parents. The research was conducted among 1,000 parents of children aged 0-21 years of age across Ireland between 1st - 10th June 2015.
*Average figure based on average number of children per household 2.2
** Of the 1,000 parents surveyed, the mid-point average annual household income was €56,672.77
Aiveen Casey has received a payment for her contribution to this press release.
About Joe Durkan and Moore McDowell – Economists - Directors of economics consultancy ECU Ltd
Joe has worked as a research professor at the ESRI, and held a lectureship at UCD. He also worked for a number of years in the financial sector in Dublin. In 2014 Joe lectured in Beijing for UCD.
Moore McDowell was also an economics lecturer in UCD, and was a member of UCD's Governing Authority. He has held visiting posts at universities in California and Delaware in the U.S. He was for many years an economics correspondent for Independent Newspapers. Both Joe and Moore have been contributors on radio and TV on economics in Ireland and elsewhere.
Dramatic increase in numbers of young people taking out health insurance before deadline
Laya healthcare reports dramatic increase in numbers of young people taking out health insurance before deadline
Insurer to extend opening hours to accommodate increase in enquiries
Monday, 27th April 2015: With only days left until the April 30th deadline, research by laya healthcare has revealed that one in four people (26%) without health insurance are still undecided about whether they will purchase cover before Lifetime Community Rating (LCR) comes into effect.
The research has also shown that there has been a significant jump in awareness levels of Lifetime Community Rating, the new Government initiative aimed at encouraging more young people into the market. The number of people who have heard about Lifetime Community Rating has more than doubled from just 20% in February to 43% in April.
Research carried out by laya healthcare in February also found that a worryingly low 4% of those aged over 30 understood Lifetime Community Rating and the impact it would have on the cost of their health cover; that figure now stands at 32%, a significant improvement ahead of the April 30th deadline. In February, laya healthcare embarked upon an extensive education campaign in an effort to inform people of LCR and its implications, particularly for those without cover who will be aged over 34 after April 30th. The informative and easy to use website www.lcr.ie features practical advice, informative videos and step-by-step instructions on how to assess the potential impact of Lifetime Community Rating.
The message seems to have been getting across to people as laya healthcare has seen a four-fold increase in the number of enquiries from people who are new to the market compared with the same period in 2014*. There has also been a large surge in the number of people taking out health insurance with laya healthcare. New to market sales have over doubled in the last six weeks compared to the same time period last year, with over 50% of these sales in the 30-59 age bracket. Online sales have also increased significantly over the last six weeks with an almost four-fold jump in new members.
Dónal Clancy, Managing Director at laya healthcare commented: "With just days to go until the Lifetime Community Rating deadline, we're expecting to see further increases in the number of people getting in touch. We will be extending our opening hours until 10pm from tonight until Thursday April 30th. Alternatively people can go to www.layahealthcare.ie 24 hours a day and join on-line.
"A quarter of all people are still undecided about whether they will take up private medical insurance before the Lifetime Community Rating Deadline, we will stay open late all this week to ensure anyone with questions will be able to talk to one of our Customer Care team about LCR and our range of products," he said.
He added: "The introduction of Lifetime Community Rating is critical for the future stability of the private health insurance market. It will ensure that health insurance remains affordable and fair for all by attracting younger and healthier people into the market. Cost is still a major factor for younger people so we now have competitive schemes available to make the market accessible to all."
Anyone interested in taking out private health insurance for the first time can contact laya healthcare's Customer Care team at 1890 904 067 from 8am until 10pm every day this week or go online to www.layahealthcare.ie.
Research was carried out among 1,000 people across Ireland aged between 18 – 60+ years of age by Amárach Research on behalf of laya healthcare. The research was conducted in April 2015 and is a national representative survey. Research carried in February 2015 was conducted by Ignite Research and sampled 1,000 people across Ireland aged over 30 years of age on behalf of laya healthcare
*6 week period from 2nd March to 13th April 2015
Ireland's first health homework campaign
- Almost one in ten children aged between four and twelve years have dieted, admit parents–
Monday, 20th April: New research among some of the 60,000 school kids, parents and teachers who are taking part in Super Troopers with laya healthcare, Ireland's first 'health homework' programme, shows that treating daily physical activity with the same importance of regular schoolwork has resulted in a sustained increase in children's daily activity levels, improved concentration levels in class and healthier eating habits.
Following the success of the programme, there is growing support for schools to adopt a 'physical literacy'* programme as part of the national school curriculum with the majority (94%) of parents believing it a good idea, supported by 88% of teachers saying that physical activity homework, like Super Troopers with laya healthcare, is a positive step to encourage kids to achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day.
While the programme is focused on increasing physical literacy, Super Troopers used the interim wave of research among parents, school kids and their teachers to explore the issue of childhood obesity, with some interesting views emerging:
Childhood obesity: the facts
- One in four teachers (27%) blame junk food, followed by too much time watching TV/playing video games (24%), lack of exercise (20%) and lack of education around childhood obesity (17%) as contributing factors to childhood obesity.
- This view is shared by parents who blame junk food (37%) and lack of exercise (25%) as the main reasons for childhood obesity.
- Almost one in five (17%) Mums and Dads are concerned about their child's weight
- 34% of parents don't know their children's weight
- 95% of teachers say that a child's parents are responsible for combating obesity. 94% of teachers say that a child's weight can increase their risk of being a target of school bullying
- Of the 3% of parents who believe that their child has been the victim of bullying due to their weight, 21% indicated that this weight related bullying took place at home
Childhood obesity: an issue that weighs heavy on parents
- The Super Troopers with laya healthcare research reveals that two thirds of parents know their child's current weight, with one in two parents saying that regular weight management is important (59%)
- While the majority (95% )of parents don't consider their child overweight, almost one in ten (8%) admit they know their young child has been or has tried to go on a diet
Dr. Fiona Chambers, Director of Sports Studies and Physical Education at UCC and advocate of Super Troopers with laya healthcare, said: "The World Health Organisation recommends that children and adolescents need to get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. To achieve this goal [in addition to weekly curricular physical education], bouts of physical activity need to happen every day before, during and after school and require school/community/family engagement. The Super Troopers with laya healthcare programme helps to bridge the gap across school/home/community through its physical activity and wellbeing homework. This helps primary care givers to work with primary schools to foster lifelong physical activity and wellbeing. This means that the health and wellbeing message is constantly reinforced across school-home-community settings and can lead to physical activity becoming a daily habit for life."
Active results
The research among 379 national school teachers and almost 1,000 parents nationwide indicates that the Super Troopers programme has been a success, with 71% of teachers and 70% of parents confirming that taking part in Super Troopers resulted in an increase in children's daily activity levels, and one in four teachers (25%) remarking that children's concentration levels improved as a result of the programme. Kids are feeling the benefits too, with one in two (57%) kids aged 4-12 years admitting to eating more fruit and veg because of Super Troopers, 64% of children say they are drinking more water and almost half spend more time playing games.
Super Troopers provides an easy-to-follow physical activity journal based on short-burst activities that marry daily exercise with imaginative fun. Parents are asked to sign off each activity at the end of the week just as they would regular schoolwork.
Commenting on the campaign, D.O. O'Connor Deputy Managing Director and Director of Business Development at laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest health insurer and proud sponsor of Super Troopers said: "We were blown away by the enthusiastic reaction to our inaugural Super Troopers campaign. Since last September, 60,000 children from over 300 schools have embraced the programme and our interim research shows that it's making a tangible, positive difference in terms of increasing levels of physical activity and concentration levels in class, which is the best result we could have asked for.
"We'll use the findings from this wave of research to look at how we can evolve and improve Super Troopers. Clearly junk food and lack of exercise are the main concerns of parents and teachers and we have introduced easy and fun nutritional tips for kids to follow, along with fun daily activities as part of the 'health homework' activity journal to help address this. Top of our agenda with Super Troopers is to address worrying levels of inactivity of kids, which in turn we hope will help address the very real and present danger that childhood obesity poses for our kids today."
*Physical literacy – Term used to describe the competency and ability to carry out basic skills and movements such as running, skipping, throwing and catching
AIG completes the acquisition of Laya Healthcare
April 1st 2015: AIG today announced that it has completed its acquisition of laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest health insurance provider, securing full regulatory approval.
The completion of the sale of laya healthcare underpins AIG's declared commitment to accelerate the growth of its health business in Ireland and other key European markets. Laya healthcare has outperformed the market in recent years and now looks after the healthcare needs of almost 500,000 members; representing 24 per cent of Ireland's private health insurance market.
Commenting on today's announcement, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare said, "From the very outset of our negotiations, our partners in AIG have been exceptionally encouraging and committed to our ambition to grow laya healthcare into one of the most progressive and member-obsessed health insurance businesses in the market. We are growing our business ahead of the market by fulfilling our promise to provide the best value health insurance and by following through on our commitment to look after our members always. 2015 looks set to be another strong performing year for laya healthcare and now with the support of our new owners, AIG, our outlook is even more optimistic."
Global Head of AIG's Health business, Jay Sheehy commented, "Today is an important day for all of us at AIG and laya healthcare; it's the first day that we can sow the seeds of a successful business that boasts immense potential for the future. We plan to bring innovation, affordability and best-in-class health insurance to markets across the world and we are excited about the months and years ahead on this journey."
Declan O'Rourke, General Manager at AIG Ireland said: "With the acquisition now complete, we can embark on implementing a roadmap for marrying our two great brands and businesses. While we have no immediate plans to rebrand the laya healthcare business, we can now start to focus on how our exciting alliance - now formalised - can start reaping benefits and value for our members and our teams."
AIG has been operating in Ireland for over 40 years and already has significant global and EMEA operations based in Ireland in insurance, asset management and information technology. Laya healthcare will continue to be underwritten by Elips Insurance Ltd, a subsidiary of Swiss Re, while laya life will be underwritten by IptiQ Life SA.
For more on AIG go to www.aig.ie
Only one in five Irish people aged over 30 is aware of Lifetime Community Rating
Only 4 per cent of people claim to understand it
Just months from deadline, only 5 per cent of over 30s plan to sign up for private health cover
82% find Lifetime Community Rating too complex and confusing
Health Economist warns that attracting younger people is key to stabilising costs and 'rebooting' Ireland's health insurance market
Thursday, 26th February 2015: New research commissioned by laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest health insurance provider, reveals that only one in five (21 per cent) Irish people aged over 30 years has heard of Lifetime Community Rating and worryingly, just 4 per cent claim to understand it. Almost two in three (62 per cent) currently without health insurance do not plan to take out health insurance before the April 30th deadline for sign-up to Lifetime Community Rating, with 60 per cent of those saying they simply cannot afford it.
Lifetime Community Rating is the Government's initiative to encourage more young and healthy people into the private health insurance market, in an effort to control the cost of health insurance in Ireland as well as alleviating the pressures of an over-stretched public health system. Laya healthcare's research conducted this month also found that only 2 per cent of those over 30 years are aware of the April 30th deadline date.
Information Critical
The low levels of awareness around Lifetime Community Rating are reflected in the fact that a staggering 92 per cent claim there hasn't been enough information around Lifetime Community Rating to help them make an informed decision, with 82 per cent admitting they find the details around it complex and confusing. Some 93 per cent of those without health cover stated they would welcome an information website that helps explain Lifetime Community Rating.
In an effort to demystify Lifetime Community Rating, laya healthcare has launched www.lcr.ie, a 'go-to' website where people can get information in a simple and easy-to-understand way. The website features practical advice, informative videos and step-by-step instructions on how to assess the potential impact of Lifetime Community Rating.
Dónal Clancy, Managing Director at laya healthcare says that levels of awareness around Lifetime Community Rating must be significantly increased over the coming weeks, and that the overarching message needs to be one of affordability and value. "According to our research, affordability is the number one barrier to the take up of private health cover among younger people," he said, "we recently launched Assure Vitality, which costs just under €9 a week, and is aimed primarily at attracting younger first-time buyers of health insurance by providing the best value cover on the market.
"Unlike other providers, our Assure schemes offer full cover for all public hospitals. We also provide excellent additional benefits including the innovative 'CareOnCall', which allows members access to a registered GP, Nurse and Physio to get expert diagnostic and treatment advice. This will be a particularly attractive benefit for our members as we know from our research that two thirds of people over 30 without health cover delay going to see their GP to keep costs down. Members can also avail of HeartBeat, our cardiac screening service."
He added, "Anyone taking out an Assure hospital scheme also has the reassurance that they are covered for treatment overseas of up to €100,000. No other provider is offering this coverage for similar priced schemes."
Lifetime Community Rating critical for market stability
Brian Turner, Health Economist with UCC, warned that the successful take-up of Lifetime Community Rating is critical in order to restore stability to Ireland's private health insurance market and curb the price spiral that has made health cover unaffordable for many.
He said, "While there's been some modest growth in the numbers of people signing up to private health cover over the last six months, it would be very premature to say we've reached the bottom of the market. The introduction of Lifetime Community Rating should help 'reboot' the Irish health insurance market, stimulating much-needed growth and interest among younger people, which is absolutely critical if the principle of community rating is to succeed, and costs are to come down. We have evidence from other countries, such as Australia, which shows that when a reforming initiative such as Lifetime Community Rating is introduced, it can have a demonstrable and positive impact on the market. Key to achieving this is the roll out of a high profile, hard-hitting information campaign that engages young people and incentivises them to take action."
When asked, "Do you understand how Lifetime Community Rating will affect you personally", two in three (66 per cent) of those aged 35-39 years said they had no idea
More than half (56 per cent) of those without health insurance aged 35-39 have already decided not to take out private health insurance before the deadline, with 37 per cent still undecided
Six in 10 of those aged over 30 currently without health insurance say they would like to take up health cover, but simply cannot afford it
Three in four believe the Government should subsidise health insurance for younger people to encourage them to take up health insurance at an earlier age
15 per cent of those who do not plan to sign up before 30th April say that private health insurance is not good value for money
Almost one in five (18 per cent) won't sign up for health insurance because they don't agree with paying any additional Government-imposed levies on health insurance
Opinion is divided when it comes to deciding whether Lifetime Community Rating is fair or not, with 44 per cent of those aged 35-49 years saying they think it's a fair initiative, compared to 56 per cent who think it's unfair that younger people should help subsidise the cost of older and less healthy people across the market, thereby making health care affordable to all. Unsurprisingly, a larger percentage, 65 per cent, of the older cohort aged over 60+ years think it's fair
Of the two in three (62 per cent) aged over 30 years who are not planning on taking out health insurance, a staggering 71 per cent are worried about falling ill and having to rely on the public healthcare system, with two in three (66 per cent) rating the quality of care in the public system as poor
Cost of GP: The average annual spend on GP visits by the over 30s is €195. Of those without health insurance, one in three (32 per cent) spend between €100 - €500 on visiting their GP every year. Worryingly, two in three people aged 30+ without health insurance will delay going to see their GP in order to keep these costs down with 69 per cent delaying any non-emergency medical procedures if they need them.
A higher number than expected (9 per cent) of people aged 30+ say they have been forced to go abroad for medical treatment in the last 12 months. Of these people one in five (22 per cent) are aged between 30-34 years
Research was carried out among 1,000 people across Ireland aged between 30 - 60+ years by Ignite Research on behalf of laya healthcare. The research was carried out in February 2015 and is a national representative survey of 1,000 adults 30 years and over.
AIG invests further in Ireland with acquisition of laya healthcare
AIG invests further in Ireland with acquisition of laya healthcare
- Laya healthcare management team to lead further growth in Ireland
- Deal expands AIG Health global footprint and accelerates plans for EMEA growth
- Good news for almost half a million members of laya healthcare and health insurance market in Ireland
JANUARY 21, 2015: Today, Laya Healthcare, Ireland's second largest health insurance provider confirmed the sale of 100% of its shares to international insurance organisation, AIG. While the agreement was signed today, the completion of the transaction will take place once the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained.
This announcement is significant news and will benefit laya healthcare's nearly half a million members. Members can be reassured that it is business as usual when it comes to their day-to-day dealings with the company.
The significant expertise within laya healthcare and the company's ability to outperform in an extremely challenging market were key attractions for AIG in the deal. Laya healthcare will continue to operate in Cork and will be part of AIG's Global Healthcare business. Laya healthcare will be able to offer its members access to AIG's large suite of complementary products as the company expands its customer base across Ireland. AIG plans to use the deal to accelerate growth in its health insurance business in other markets outside Ireland.
Commenting on today's announcement, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare said, "Today marks a huge milestone – and an incredibly proud one – for laya healthcare. This is exceptionally positive news for our almost half a million members, our team and our business. AIG's global scale and reach presents us with the opportunity to expand the laya healthcare offering in Ireland and across Europe where AIG has significant plans for growth."
Dónal Clancy continued, "We have worked incredibly hard to build the business to a position of strength by bringing real innovation to the health insurance market coupled with affordable health insurance for our members. That AIG, one of the most respected and experienced insurance groups in the world, is strengthening its commitment to Ireland with this acquisition is testament to the hard work by all of our team at laya healthcare. Swiss Re subsidiary Elips Insurance Ltd will continue to underwrite our health insurance policies and IptiQ Life SA will underwrite life insurance policies."
AIG Global Head of Health, Jay Sheehy commented, "Our aim is to bring best in class health insurance to markets across the world. Our investment in Ireland will broaden the footprint of AIG's Health business which up until now has primarily focused on the U.S. and Asia. The strength of the laya healthcare management team and how they have grown their market share despite record declines in the health insurance market highlights the potential for further growth."
Commenting on the deal, Declan O'Rourke, General Manager, AIG Ireland said, "We are delighted that Dónal and his team have joined AIG's Global Health team. AIG has a proven track record built up over 40 years in Ireland. AIG already has significant domestic, EMEA and global operations in insurance, asset management and IT based in Ireland. We feel both AIG and laya healthcare's customers will benefit from each other's strengths, expertise and complementary product offerings."
Paul O' Brien, CEO of Aventas Group, having now exited as a laya healthcare shareholder said, "We are delighted with today's announcement and I wish both laya healthcare and AIG every success for the future."
Advisers to the deal included Goodbody Corporate Finance, JW O'Donovan Solicitors, A&L Goodbody and PwC.
Laya Healthcare announces its biggest ever health insurance price freeze
-Best value health insurance now available at a guaranteed price for up to two years -
Thursday December 4th 2014: Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest health insurance provider with almost half a million members, today announced its biggest-ever product review, unveiling details of 'Future Protect', a series of three affordable new products that represent the best-value health cover in today's market with prices frozen for up to two years.
At a time when Ireland's private health insurance market faces unprecedented challenges and is in record decline, laya healthcare's radical price-driven business strategy is a game-changer; not only does it lay down the gauntlet to other health insurers by freezing prices for up to two years, it's also a direct response to Minister Leo Varadkar's plea early this year for insurers to act urgently to help restore affordability and certainty in a struggling market.
Prices for Future Protect start at €495, representing the best value health insurance deal in the Irish market. The Future Protect product range will be available to anyone renewing or taking out applicable new policies and is available to purchase from 31st December 2014 to 28th February 2015, with prices guaranteed for two years. This means that members will pay the same price for their policy in 2016 as they do in 2015 (up to 28th February 2015).
- Future Protect – price frozen at €495.20
- Future Protect Plus – price frozen at €572.80
- Future Protect Choice – price frozen at €644.80
Price Reductions
In more good news, Laya healthcare today announced significant price reductions of between 10-19% across 12 of its products, with reductions kicking in from 1st January 2015.
Speaking at this major price review announcement, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare said, "This is the biggest product shake up and price review that we have ever embarked on, and it will be rolled out with a single-minded determination to focus on putting real value back into Ireland's private health insurance market by making health cover affordable for more people. At laya healthcare we always put our half a million members at the heart of our business - championing affordability, flexibility and innovation at every turn - and our price freeze on a fantastic new range of affordable products is a timely example of how laya healthcare is the future of health insurance, and how we are fully committed to fulfilling our promise of "Looking After You Always".
To find out more about laya healthcare's big price frees call 1890 700 890 or visit laya healthcare at www.layahealthcare.ie or www.facebook.com/LayaHealthcare.
Laya Healthcare diversifies with revolutionary life insurance offering
Laya healthcare giving €500 million worth of free cover to members for one year
Monday, September 15th, 2014. Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest healthcare insurance provider, today announced an exciting development as the company diversifies into life insurance with a new product offering, laya life.
Laya life is a revolutionary new product combining simplicity with affordability. The insurer provides a complete online process for customers at www.layalife.ie comprising three to five simple steps; with no medical checks or delays with processing your information. Your cover starts straight away and the goal is to make everything as simple as possible.
Should the worst happen to a loved one, it's important to have a plan in place to cover the immediate and long term expenses. Laya life is a flexible product that allows you to top up any existing policies you may have, to ensure that the future is covered.
Laya life is very competitively priced compared with other providers at just €10.10* (see table outlining costs below). Research commissioned by laya healthcare to mark the launch of laya life found that only half of those surveyed have life insurance. For the 50 per cent that don't have cover, a massive 71 per cent said they simply cannot afford it. This clearly demonstrates the need for a new, affordable life insurance product in the market.
To celebrate the launch, laya healthcare is offering up to €500m worth of life insurance for members. Qualified members can receive €10,000 worth of free life insurance cover for one year. Members will be notified shortly with details on how they can claim their free cover or can call us for details on 1890 907 100.
There is also an offer of 10% off for all new policies purchased online and a further 5% discount for existing laya healthcare members
Speaking at the launch of laya life, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director, laya healthcare said: "This is a very exciting day for all the team at laya healthcare. We are providing great value health insurance to our almost half a million members for more than 17 years and from today, we are able to offer simple, affordable life insurance.
"We are always looking at opportunities to diversify our business so we can deliver progressive, new, innovative products to our customers. Our latest consumer research tells us that almost half of the respondents said their families would be likely to struggle financially in the event of their death. That is why we believe our new laya life product offering is an important, natural fit for our members. Laya life also complements our brand promise of 'looking after you always'."
Laya life provides straight-forward, fixed-term life insurance for people aged 18 to 69 years for a fixed term of between 10 to 40 years. Once the customer answers just a few health questions, the policy provides immediate cover which will pay out a lump sum of up to €200,000 in the event of a policyholder's death.
For more information, visit www.layalife.ie and there is a dedicated team of Life Sales Advisors to answer any queries on 1890 907 100.
Laya Healthcare Limited, trading as laya life is fully underwritten by iptiQ Life SA and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Laya Healthcare's Pre-Budget Submission 2015
No further penalties for the public sought in pre-Budget submission
In its 2015 pre-Budget submission, laya healthcare has today called on Government to protect the private health insurance sector from reaching crisis point.
With nearly 500,000 members, Ireland's second largest private healthcare insurance provider is focusing on two key issues that have contributed significantly to the high cost of premiums; the Government Health Insurance Levy and a cap on tax relief.
Laya healthcare is asking that no new penalties, namely an increase in levies or a further cap on tax relief, are introduced in Budget 2015 by the Minister for Finance.
Since the introduction of the Government Health Insurance Levy in 2009, charges have jumped from €160 to €399 per adult, an increase of 149% in less than five years.
Budget 2014 reduced the amount of tax relief at source for health insurance policies on premiums in excess of €1,000, resulting in over 90% of policy holders having to pay more for their health insurance*.
Since 2008, around 300,000 people have abandoned their private health insurance and laya healthcare's own research shows that 83% of people leave the health insurance market because of price.
Dónal Clancy, managing director of laya healthcare said, "If 300,000 people have been forced out of the private system, there is only one place for them to go, the public health system, which is already under considerable pressure. We are urging Government not to penalise the public any further through measures that will only serve to drive more people away from private health insurance and into the public system.
"In theory, the introduction of Lifetime Community Rating, which was recently signed into legislation by the former Minister for Health is a sound decision. However, people will not and indeed, cannot come in to the system unless insurance is made affordable. This means no more levies and no more caps on tax relief."
Laya healthcare's pre-Budget submission contends that unless urgent action is taken by Government now, thousands more people will have no option but to drop their health insurance cover over the coming months. Recent figures from the Health Insurance Authority demonstrate that the average dropout rate during 2014 has been 7,000 people per month and if this trend continues, an additional 210,000people will abandon their private health insurance between now and the end of 2016.
"This will have a profound affect on an already unsustainable health insurance market and add fire to a public health system that simply won't be able to cope," said Dónal Clancy.
"These issues need to be addressed in order to protect the private health insurance market from reaching crisis point and I hope that the Government gives due consideration to the issue of rising insurance prices when framing the next Budget."
A copy of laya healthcare's pre-Budget submission is available here - Pre_Budget_Submission_2015.
Laya Healthcare cuts prices on 'Create Your Scheme' by up to 30 per cent
laya healthcare reduce premiums to make healthcare insurance more affordable
30 June 2014: Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest healthcare insurance provider, has cut the cost of some of its most popular products to ensure members have access to the best value health insurance. The premium reduction of up to 30 per cent ensures health insurance in the Irish market remains affordable.
Effective from 1st August, members who create a policy tailored to their own needs can avail of a price reduction that will range from 10 to 30 per cent for adults and children. In addition to the price reduction on 'Create Your Scheme', laya healthcare is also reducing the adult rate on five other products by up to 22 per cent; Essential Connect, Essential First, Essential Connect Saver, Essential Starter and Essential Plus Excess. These price reductions will also come into effect from 1st August 2014.
'Create Your Scheme' is a revolutionary way for Irish consumers to buy health insurance, allowing them to take control of the cost of their health insurance. Consumers can build a policy around their individual needs by considering the level of hospital cover they want, the level of in-patient excess they are prepared to pay in order to reduce their costs, and the out-patient cover to suit their needs.
Since its launch in December 2013, 'Create Your Scheme' has been hugely successful and now accounts for over half of laya healthcare's online sales.
"Our promise to our members is that we are looking after you always. We are continuously striving to do that in every way possible and we are now offering major reductions on our most popular products. Laya healthcare is absolutely committed to providing best value, affordable health insurance solutions to our nearly half a million members" said Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare.
Following the price cuts, consumers will now pay as little as €44.18 per month for an adult and €12.49 per month for a child for health insurance cover with 'Create Your Scheme'.
Laya healthcare is also cutting the cost of cover for kids by 50 per cent on the Essential Connect Family product. The offer, which runs from 1st July until 31st October, now means that kids and students can be covered for just €13.21 per month.
Medical Costs Management Achieves Reductions in Admissions & Claims Costs
~ Estimated cost savings of up to €100 million by 2016 already yielding better care outcomes for patients ~
Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest healthcare insurance provider, has today announced the results of a major medical costs management programme, which has already resulted in significant claims cost savings. The health insurance provider is predicting total savings of almost €100 million as a result of the review over the five year period from 2012 to 2016. The company believes that the savings over time from its medical cost management programme can be passed on to its members and will lead to better value for consumers.
The medical costs management programme has also led to a significant reduction in hospital admissions through the promotion of better practices and efficiencies.
Included in the broadened medical costs management review is a clinically led utilisation review programme - which strives to deliver better patient care and outcomes through medical reviews undertaken against international best practice guidelines. The review also encompasses hospital rate negotiations, changes to orthopaedic policy and the on-going identification of potential overcharging for a wide range of hospital procedures by laya healthcare's medical costs management team.
The utilisation review programme, and its associated cost savings, has enabled laya healthcare to reinvest in initiatives such as in-home healthcare options allowing members to be treated in their own home which has a positive effect on a patient's care pathway. Through this programme, laya healthcare has already seen a reduction in hospital admissions, where patients are not admitted to hospital unless medically necessary. Laya healthcare also encourages the use of pre-assessment clinics by hospitals, which is international best practice, to facilitate same-day surgery where possible.
Laya healthcare is the first private healthcare insurance provider to implement a medical costs management programme which is largely clinically led. The framework for the review programme was designed in conjunction with US utilisation review expert Dr. Ben Safirstein who is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the Mount Sinai Medical School in New York. Dr. Safirstein collaborated with laya healthcare in developing an improvement process tailor made for the Irish healthcare sector. These internationally recognised best-practice medical reviews will enhance patient care and outcomes. This process is designed to ensure that laya healthcare's almost half a million members receive best quality healthcare in the most appropriate setting for their medical needs.
Dr. Ann O'Doherty, Medical Advisor at laya healthcare explains the benefits of medical costs management: "The Irish health system has been under the microscope in recent times with particular focus being placed on cost efficiencies and best care pathways for patients. While better practices, high-spec technology and improved treatments are all translating into best patient outcomes, they are driving medical costs higher, which in turn has a negative impact on premiums.
By successfully containing our medical costs we can help ensure that consumers continue to have access to quality, affordable healthcare solutions."
Dr. O'Doherty continues: "While cost savings are important for the business, it is never at the expense of ensuring the best outcome for the patient. Laya healthcare believes strongly in investing in the nation's health and our unique HeartBeat benefit is a good example of this. HeartBeat is a free cardiac screening initiative that is available to all laya healthcare members to detect for underlying heart conditions that can lead to Sudden Adults Death Syndrome (SADS)."
Looking forward, laya healthcare is confident that it can continue to successfully implement cost efficiency measures that keep its average cost of claims lower than the market average across all age groups as is currently the case. In doing so, laya healthcare can continue to keep private health insurance affordable for its members, and invest in healthcare initiatives that benefit and support not only laya healthcare members, but all patients.
Major advance in Irish Healthcare as eClaims comes to Market
Major advance in Irish Healthcare as eClaims comes to Market
Irish healthcare industry introduces eClaims to promote faster submission of claims and faster payment
4th April, 2014 – Electronic claiming has been successfully introduced for the first time in two key private healthcare providers in Ireland, it was announced today. eClaims will revolutionise the way claims are processed in the Irish healthcare industry. It is a joint initiative spearheaded by three of the key health insurers, Aviva Health, laya healthcare and Vhi Healthcare and is being co-ordinated by Insurance Ireland.
eClaims is well established worldwide in countries such as the United States, Australia and the UK. The aim of the initiative has been to rollout a national standard for electronic claims, which will benefit all parties, achieving savings through the reduction of paper work and providing healthcare providers with improved cashflow and resources to focus on patient care. eClaims will ultimately mean faster submission of claims and faster payment and will enable greater control of the claims management processes.
Last year, two private healthcare pilots were successfully completed and over recent months both have been submitting live electronic claims to the three health insurers for processing:
- Euromedic Ireland, a leading provider of diagnostic healthcare, supported by service provider Medserv; and
- Beacon Hospital, a Full Service Hospital, successfully went live with the SoftCo Claims Management Solution that supports the new eClaims Standard. The Beacon Hospital have led the way by delivering the first eClaims solution in a Full Service Hospital. The SoftCo eClaims solution in the Beacon Hospital is also integrated with the service providers, Hospital Accounting Services and Medserv.
Commenting on the introduction of eClaims, Michael Horan, Insurance Ireland said: "As the Irish healthcare industry looks to the future, eClaims will be a key driver of change across the sector. All parties recognise the need to phase out the current inefficient paper claims process in favour of electronic processing. International best practice demonstrates that eClaims is the way forward, and it is imperative that the Irish healthcare industry develops its processes in line with these standards. I am delighted to see all parties coming together to bring this initiative to market and this demonstrates real success by the private healthcare providers in Ireland".
Michael Horan added "The success of the pilot in the private health sector, which is expected to be followed by a rapid adoption by other private hospitals, should serve as a model for the public sector to follow and help address the delays in submission of claims by the hospitals to the insurers. eClaims will also be a critical enabler for the Universal Health Insurance, where all healthcare facilities will be required to process a much higher volume of claims. This simply cannot be achieved with the current paper process. The three main Healthcare Insurers are now focusing on the rollout of eClaims across the Irish Healthcare market, with the aim of making the current paper-based scanning submission process a thing of the past".
The success of the eClaims pilot should serve as an impetus to both the Public and Private sectors to engage with this industry initiative and provide appropriate resources and leadership to implement the system. The Insurers have the resources and capacity to engage with any public or private hospital who are interested in pursuing the electronic claims process. Further information on eClaims is available on www.ehealthclaims.ie.
Laya Healthcare opens Dublin office with announcement of 50 jobs
- Laya healthcare marks period of significant growth with opening of an official Dublin headquarters and 50 new jobs by 2016 -
Wednesday, 21 May 2014. Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest healthcare insurance provider, has opened an official headquarters in Dublin today with the announcement of 50 new jobs. This follows a period of consistent growth that has seen membership in Dublin grow by more than 16 per cent in the past two years.
At its launch in May 2012, laya healthcare committed to creating 100 new jobs by 2015 and the insurer is delighted to have exceeded this, currently employing more than 440 people between its headquarters in Cork and Dublin. Recruitment has already begun for 50 new jobs, which will be created over the next two years, with growth expected in the sales, customer service and claims teams in particular.
The new laya healthcare Dublin office is located on 1 Hume Street in Dublin City Centre. Welcoming its opening, MD Dónal Clancy said: "Since we first launched laya healthcare in May 2012 we have consistently recorded growth in the Dublin market; overall, our membership in this region has grown by more than 16 per cent since launch to date. Last year, we recorded our strongest performance yet, with corporate sales growing by over 70 per cent.
The outlook for 2014 is equally positive. That we are already ahead of our target membership growth, year to date in a market that continues to lose a record number of people every month is testament to our dedication to providing quality, affordable healthcare solutions at the best possible price."
In the past 12 months, laya healthcare has made a number of key appointments to its Dublin team recruiting Ronan Whelan as Head of Sales, with Joyce Kellett and Brian McKiernan recruited as Major Account Manager and Strategic Account Manager respectively.
"We have made some key strategic appointments in recent months," said Mr Clancy, "and we are not stopping there. I am delighted to announce that we have already begun recruiting for 50 new jobs, which demonstrates our commitment to the market and to growing our team. In formally establishing a presence in Dublin, we are consolidating our position as Ireland's second largest healthcare insurance provider. More importantly, we are reinforcing our commitment to looking after our almost half a million members always and will continue to offer innovative services and solutions that add genuine value to our members' healthcare needs."
Innovation is a driving force behind growth for laya healthcare in 2014; the healthcare insurance provider has already revolutionised how health insurance is purchased in Ireland with its 'Create Your Scheme' tool. Create Your Scheme delivers a healthcare insurance policy tailored to individual needs and budgets, allowing consumers – for the first time – to take control of the cost of their health insurance.
Expanding on the benefits of Create Your Scheme, MD Dónal Clancy said: "We developed Create Your Scheme in response to market demands and since its launch in December 2013 it has changed how private health insurance is sold in Ireland. Members have three options to consider: the level of hospital cover they want, the level of in-patient excess they are prepared to pay in order to reduce their costs and the out-patient cover required to meet their specific needs.
"With our competitors now following our lead, the key differential between our solution and others on the market is that we continue to include, at no additional cost to the member, specialist cardiac procedures as a core benefit on the majority of the solutions. Members can also choose an out-patient level of cover that suits their needs, regardless of their in-patient cover."
Create Your Scheme now accounts for more than half of laya healthcare's online sales. Plans start from just €463.29 per year, which currently includes a 10 per cent discount when bought online.
Control the cost of your health insurance with 'Create Your Scheme'
'Create Your Scheme' is driving sales and offering flexibility and value for Irish consumers
Thursday 1st May 2014: Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest healthcare insurance provider, has revolutionised how health insurance is purchased in Ireland with 'Create Your Scheme'. The innovative solution allows consumers take full control of the cost of their health insurance. By simply picking the level of cover required and the amount they wish to pay, 'Create Your Scheme' delivers a healthcare insurance policy tailored to individual needs and budgets. Members have three options to consider the level of hospital cover they want, the level of in-patient excess they are prepared to pay in order to reduce their costs and the out-patient cover to suit their needs.
Since its launch in December 2013, 'Create Your Scheme' has led the way in changing how private health insurance is sold and has now given consumers control over the cost of their policies. Developed in response to market demands, 'Create Your Scheme' has proven hugely successful, accounting for over half of laya healthcare's online sales.
The flexible options start from just €463.29 per year. This includes a 10 per cent online discount currently available on all 'Create Your Scheme' plans when bought online.
Laya healthcare has always emphasised the need to deliver the best levels of care and choice for all its members.
The difference between our solution and others on the market is that laya healthcare continues to include, at no additional cost to the member, specialist cardiac procedures as a core benefit on the majority of the solutions. Members can also choose an out-patient level of cover that suits their needs, regardless of their in-patient cover.
Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare, commenting on the success of Create Your Scheme to date, said: "With 'Create Your Scheme' we are putting control in the hands of consumers so that they can now select the level of cover they want as well as the cost they wish to pay. This innovative solution has already proven successful and is a clear indicator that this is something that members have been looking for in order to manage their health insurance needs. Through 'Create Your Scheme', we are opening the door for new and existing members to access quality health insurance at a price affordable to them."
Annual Report 2012
Click here to view the full report in PDF format.
Laya Healthcare's statement on levy increase - Nov 2013
Statement from laya healthcare in response to the Government's decision to increase the levy on health insurance.
All comments to be attributed to Dónal Clancy, MD at laya healthcare
As Ireland's second largest private health insurer, laya healthcare is very disappointed by Minister Reilly's announcement regarding increases to the health levy. Since its introduction in 2009, the health levy has jumped from €160 to €399 per adult, representing a total increase of 149%. The cost per child is also set to increase to €135 representing a hike of 155% since its introduction.
At laya healthcare, we strongly believe that increases to the health levy, which follows the recent cap on tax relief and the public beds re-designation charge, will drive more people out of the health insurance market that has already seen record numbers of people drop their cover. Rather than protect the most vulnerable patients as outlined by the Minister, the levy hike will only increase the burden on an already struggling public health system.
The increased levy will affect almost all our members, and families in particular will be the hardest hit. The levy is currently costing laya healthcare €60 million in 2013 alone, which is €14 million more than in 2012. We are expecting the announcement to further significantly impact on the cost of providing affordable healthcare.
While we fully support community rating, it is fundamentally wrong that a member who is finding it extremely difficult to continue to pay for private health insurance on a relatively low-level scheme is paying the same levy rates as those on higher level plans. Any level should be based on a standard, core set of benefits and not on the entire market. Risk equalisation can only work if a level playing field exists in the market.
Despite our frustrations, we will continue to participate in Government forums and meetings to ensure that the consumer above all is protected. We firmly believe that the future of the Irish healthcare system MUST be built on an industry–led solution and we are committed to being a part of this important process.
Laya Healthcare announces half price kids offer
Save 50% on kids' health insurance with laya healthcare's FamilyCare Scheme
Thursday, 1st August 2013: Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest private health insurance provider with more than 475,000 members, today announced details of its new 50% discount on kids' cover as part of its FamilyCare scheme. This offer is available for tots to teens from 1st August until 30th September.
With back-to-school currently front of mind for parents, laya healthcare is conscious of the consequent strain on Mum's and Dad's purse strings. Uniforms, books and new stationary are just some of the additional costs associated with this time of year. Laya healthcare would like to alleviate some of this financial pressure by offering 50% off kids' premiums on one of their most popular family schemes, FamilyCare, which will cost just €212.97 per child/student and €179.72 for a 3rd or subsequent child/student. The discount is activated immediately upon switching and is valid for 12 months.
Children on the FamilyCare scheme receive access to both public and private hospitals, a 50% refund on everyday medical expenses such as GP visits, and 24-hour access to both the laya healthcare GP Line and Nurseline.
Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare says this latest offer is a result of members' feedback: "Affordability and cost remain the number one concern for our members. We regularly ask for ideas on how we can help and offering a discount on children's premiums was one of the most popular 'asks'. We made a promise to our members to look after them always. This new offer is just another example of how we continue to strive to keep this promise and, moreover, keep quality private health insurance accessible to families acrossIreland."
The 50% off kids offer is available from 1st August until 30th September. Call laya healthcare now on 1890 700 890 to find out more, or visit laya healthcare at www.layahealthcare.ie or www.facebook.com/LayaHealthcare.
Laya Healthcare launches the "Big Screen"
- €100,000 worth of FREE heart screenings up for grabs –
Tuesday, 14 May 2013: In the biggest free cardiac screening initiative of its kind, laya healthcare today announced that it will give away €100,000 worth of cardiac screenings to thousands of members of sports and social clubs around Ireland this summer.
The laya healthcare 'Big Screen'cardiac campaign is being rolled out as part of laya healthcare's celebrations to mark a successful first year in business and will provide vital and potentially life-saving screenings for people aged 12+ years to help detect underlying conditions that may lead to or cause Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).
The Big Screen is open to all types of sports organisations, no matter how big or small, or what level of skill or fitness is involved. Laya healthcare today issued a call to action to all such clubs – rugby clubs, swimming groups, dance troops, hill walking societies, karate clubs, GAA clubs and more – to submit their nomination today on www.facebook.com/LayaHealthcare.
Commenting on the Big Screen initiative, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director at laya healthcare, said: "To mark the launch of laya healthcare last year, we launched HeartBeat, our free cardiac screening benefit available to all laya healthcare members. We have been overwhelmed by the response. While we made a promise to our members to 'look after them always', we had a lot of queries from those who weren't members, mostly sports and fitness clubs who would have an obvious interest in our HeartBeat screenings. As a thank you for supporting us in our first year, we are now extending the free cardiac screening offer to the family and friends of our members who are active in sports clubs around the country. If our Big Screeninitiative saves just one life, then it'll be the best first birthday present we could have ever asked for."
The Laya Healthcare Big Screen will be live on the laya healthcare Facebook page, www.facebook.com/LayaHealthcare, where club members are encouraged to click 'like' to find out more and nominate their club. Each week one lucky club will be selected at random for free heart screening.
Since its launch last May, laya healthcare has screened over 15,000 members through HeartBeat. The health insurer has also marked its first successful year in business by announcing significant growth achievements across the business. Operating in the toughest market for health insurance in decades, laya healthcare today revealed that it has bucked the trend by growing its customer base from 450,000 to over 475,000 members in just 12 months. The company also revealed that it is on track to create 100 new jobs by 2015, with 58 positions filled in the past year in its Dublin and Cork offices.
Laya Healthcare announces significant growth in first year of business
Tuesday, 14th May 2013: Laya healthcare, the second largest health insurer in Ireland, today marked its first successful year in business by announcing significant growth achievements across its business. Operating in the toughest market for health insurance in decades, laya healthcare today revealed that it had bucked the trend by growing its customer base from 450,000 to over 475,000 members in just 12 months.
The company also revealed that it is on track to create 100 new jobs by 2015, with 58 positions filled in the past year in its Dublin and Cork offices. Significant and ongoing investment in the areas of Customer Service, Claims and Sales has resulted in a 58% increase in year-on-year sales at laya healthcare. This growth has fuelled aggressive expansion targets with the launch of laya healthcare's first Dublin office last September designed to address increased sales volume, especially in the corporate health insurance market which has grown by 31% when compared to 2012 figures.
To mark the important milestone of a healthy first year in business, laya healthcare today announced that it is to give away €100,000 worth of FREE cardiac screenings - vital, potentially life saving screenings for people aged 12+ years which can help detect underlying conditions that may lead to or cause Sudden Adult Death Syndrome - to sports and social clubs across Ireland this summer. The laya healthcare 'Big Screen' initiative is open to all kinds of sports organisations, no matter how big or small, or what level of skill or fitness is involved. Laya Healthcare today issued a nationwide call to action to rugby clubs, swimming groups, dance troops, hill walking societies, karate clubs, GAA clubs and so on, to submit their nomination today on www.facebook.com/LayaHealthcare
Forensic cost savings:
An expansive drive for growth has been coupled with the pursuit of significant cost savings, while ensuring best outcome for members. Laya healthcare today announced that it is on track to deliver savings of €18 million by the end of 2014 through forensic analysis of operational costs along with a wide range of clinical reviews & claim audits. As well as identifying cost saving opportunities, the reviews are conducted to ensure that members are receiving efficient and quality healthcare in the most appropriate settings for their medical needs.
Reflecting on a successful first year in business, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare said, "It's been a remarkable year for laya healthcare, and yet the most challenging one we've ever faced as a business. That we have significantly grown our members in a market that is hemorrhaging about 5,500 customers a month is testament to the hard work of our team, and moreover our obsession with providing affordable quality healthcare with best outcomes for our members.
"2013 will be about renewing our focus on value - we will fight tooth and nail to maintain our current position as the insurer offering best value in health insurance in the market. Driving cost efficiencies across the business is critical to this. Our savings target of €18 million is just the tip of the iceberg and will be delivered via a significant ramping up of claims investigation audits in 2013 and 2014, which will yield greater savings and ensure the best outcomes for our members."
Commenting on the roll out of €100,000 worth of free heart screenings, Clancy added, "when we launched last year we offered free screenings for all our members and were overwhelmed by the response. We got a lot of queries from those who weren't members too, mostly sports and fitness clubs who would have an obvious interest in these screenings. While we made a promise to our members to 'look after them always', we wanted to show our thanks for supporting us in our first year by extending the free cardiac screening to the family and friends of our members who are active in sports right across the country. If our 'Big Screen' initiative saves just one life, then it'll be the best 1st birthday present we could ever have asked for."
Key Highlights of laya healthcare's first year in business:
- Growth in membership from 450,000 members to over 475,000 members.
- 58 per cent increase in sales.
- 31 per cent growth in corporate sales.
- In Dublin, sales have grown by 79 per cent; corporate membership is up by 30 per cent.
- 58 new hires bringing work force to 399 employees.
- On track to deliver savings of €18million by year end 2014 through "forensic drive for efficiencies
- Focus on Innovation is strong with 11 new products were introduced, plus a range of special offers including HeartBeat (over 15,000 screenings carried out to date)
- Laya Healthcare was voted Top 100 Great Places to Work in Ireland and recognised in Excellence Through People awards.
Laya Healthcare donates €5K to Daffodil Day!
Friday 22nd March: Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest private health insurer, is celebrating the launch of its official twitter handle – @layahealthcare – with a donation of €5k to The Irish Cancer Society's Daffodil Day.
The fundraising campaign was driven through social media and coincided with laya healthcare's sponsorship of the 9th annual National Healthcare Conference. Beginning on the day of the conference, laya healthcare called for people to tweet using the official hashtag, #layanhc, with the health insurer looking for 5000 tweets to help meet its drive for €5K. The campaign was so successful, the hashtag #layanhc was trending as the most talked about topic on Twitter in Ireland at lunchtime on Wednesday.
Lorraine Walsh, Marketing Manager, laya healthcare commented: "When we decided to join twitter, we wanted to do something to mark the occasion. When we realised our launch coincided with Daffodil Day, it was an obvious choice as a superb charity to support. Even though we were slightly shy of reaching our target, we're still delighted to donate €5k to the Irish Cancer Society for Daffodil Day, as it is such a fantastic cause."
Laya healthcare is delighted to donate and support such a worthy cause and to help create awareness for the Irish Cancer Society by spreading the word on Social Media about Daffodil Day this Friday 22nd March. Laya healthcare would like to thank everyone that used the hashtag and helped contribute to the €5k for Daffodil Day.
For more information, find laya healthcare on Facebook/LayaHealthcare or follow the health insurer on Twitter at @layahealthcare.
Private health insurance market is critically sick, maybe terminal
Wednesday, 20th March 2013. One of Ireland's largest health insurers, laya healthcare, has today challenged Health Minister Reilly to address the price spiral that's forcing a record number of people - 64,000[1] last year alone, and mostly the young and healthy - to drop their cover.
Managing Director, Dónal Clancy, said the private health insurance industry was critically sick, perhaps terminal, unless the price spiral issue was addressed by Government. He issued the call to action at the National Healthcare Conference in Dublin today, which was attended by Minster Reilly. His call comes on the back of new research commissioned by laya healthcare which reveals that one in three private health insurance holders with children plan on cancelling their cover in 2013, with one in six (17%) claiming they can no longer afford it.
But cancelling and downgrading their cover will put huge strain on young families with children with a staggering number (87%) admitting they are worried about falling ill and having to rely on the public health system and 79% say that they will delay non-emergency medical procedures and going to their GP (86%) to keep costs down.
Commenting on the findings, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare said, "We are very conscious that affordability and the consumer's ability to pay are front of mind in the current economic climate. The current system is unfair in that the majority of people on more basic plans are cross-subsidising those on the premium top-tier plans with all the frills. This is unjust and is fuelling a record market decline. Applying risk equalisation to a core, standard set of benefits would help stabilise the market and address the issue of fairness. We must reform health insurance if it's to survive and provide genuine benefits for our 465,000 members, BUT we must do it within the context of reforming the health system as a whole."
"The most fundamental change the Government can make is to start incentivising, NOT dis-incentivising young, healthier people to take up health insurance. The introduction of lifetime community rating would mean that the younger you enter the private health insurance market, the more affordable it is. This would serve as a compelling financial incentive for younger people to enter the market, and stay in it", Clancy concluded.
[1] Health Insurance Authority (HIA) report, March 2013
Laya Healthcare announces private health insurance research results
Tuesday, 19th March 2013. New research commissioned by laya healthcare reveals that one in three private health insurance holders with children plan on cancelling their cover in 2013, with one in six (17%) claiming they can no longer afford it. Almost half of all young families with children (49%) admit they are unhappy about the upcoming increase in the government levy charge* which comes into force on 31st March and will review or downgrade their health cover to more basic benefits as a result.
The research was commissioned by laya healthcare in preparation for a keynote address by Managing Director, Dónal Clancy, at the National Healthcare Conference tomorrow, Wednesday, 20th March. His keynote will explore the question, 'Is the future of Ireland's health insurance a healthy one'.
The research confirms a widespread fear that the price spiral affecting Ireland's health insurance industry is driving a record number of people - 64,000[1] last year alone, and mostly the young and healthy - to drop their cover.
But cancelling and downgrading their cover is a huge worry to private health insurance holders with children:
- An overwhelming number (87%) say they are worried about falling ill and having to rely on the public health system
- 74% plan to fast track medical procedures while they have private health insurance in place - this will almost certainly place a burden on the public health system
- Worryingly, better outcomes are at serious risk for those who plan to downgrade or cancel their cover: 79% say that they will delay non-emergency medical procedures while 86% will delay going to their GP to keep costs down
Of those parents planning to drop out, the majority (66%) are young aged between 30-44 years. This threatens the current system as younger, healthy people are needed to support community rating.
Commenting on the findings, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare said, "The research confirms our worst fears that the price spiral affecting private health insurance will force more people to drop their cover this year. Finding ways to incentivise people - especially the young and healthy - to take up private health cover will be critical if we are to transition successfully and seamlessly to the new Universal Healthcare system promised for 2016.
"The current system is unfair in that the majority of people on more basic plans are cross-subsidising those on the premium top-tier plans with all the frills. This is unjust and is fuelling a record market decline. Applying risk equalisation to a core, standard set of benefits would help stabilise the market and address the issue of fairness", he concluded.
Little support for Universal Healthcare
There was little support among consumers for the Government's plans for Universal Healthcare, promised for 2016. Only 20% supported the new system, compared to 11% who say they oppose the plan. Lack of understanding is widespread with two in three (64%) admitting they don't know enough about Universal Healthcare to have an opinion on it.
Poor outlook among Ireland's health professionals
Laya healthcare also explored the outlook of the future ofIreland's private health insurance among a nationwide sample of 100 GPs, hospital consultants practice and hospital nurses.
A staggering majority (76%) of health professionals do NOT think thatIreland's health system is designed to protect the people that need it most and ensure better outcomes for patients. In line with this, 100% of health professionals say thatIreland's health system is in need of URGENT reform.
Other research highlights:
- The majority of Irish health professionals (77%) think that there's an urgent need to incentivise younger people to take out health insurance in order to maintain and protect the principle of community rating
- 95% support the Government's plan for Universal healthcare
- It's a 50:50 split among health professionals on the Government's ability to deliver Universal healthcare on time by 2016. 50% say yes it will, 50% don't think the government will succeed in rolling Universal healthcare out in time
- 82% of health professionals say that health insurers have an important role to help the government + other regulators shape the future ofIreland's health system
Both sets of research - among consumers and health professionals - was carried out by independent research groups in March 2013. The consumer research was carried out by Spongeit Research. The telephone interviews among 100 health professionals was carred out by Real Insights research company.
[1] Health Insurance Authority (HIA) report, March 2013
Laya Healthcare to raise €5K for Daffodil Day!
Thursday, 14th March 2013. Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest private health insurer, is celebrating the launch of its official twitter handle – @layahealthcare – with a donation drive for Daffodil Day.
The campaign coincides with laya healthcare's sponsorship of the 9th annual National Healthcare Conference. Beginning on the day of the conference, laya healthcare will be calling on people to tweet using the official hashtag – #layanhc – with the health insurer looking for 5000 tweets to help meet its drive for €5,000. The Twitter campaign will continue until Daffodil Day on Friday, 22ndMarch.
Live from Thursday, 14th March, the @layahealthcare Twitter account will be another vital way for the Irish health insurer to outreach to its almost half a million members, kicking off with regular updates on the progress of its Daffodil Day campaign
Laya Healthcare recognised as one of Ireland's Great Places To Work
Friday, 8th March 2013. Laya healthcare,Ireland's second largest private health insurer, has been officially recognised as a Best Workplace 2013 at the annual Great Place to Work Awards. This prestigious accolade was announced in front of a packed house at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin, which was attended by Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton. Speaking at the awards ceremony, Ms Creighton complimented all the organisations for creating high trust workplaces which she said leads to a clear competitive advantage especially when trading internationally.
Laya healthcare was announced as the 16th placed organisation in the Best Large Companies Workplace 2013. Commenting on the award win, MD Dónal Clancy said: "It gives me great pleasure to see laya healthcare recognised as one of Ireland's great places to work. Everyday, we ensure that 'looking after you always' is at the heart of what we do, and we apply this philosophy not only to our nearly half a million members, but to our own team also. We work hard to make sure that everyone has a voice, everyone's opinion is valued and that, ultimately, everyone is proud to be part of the laya healthcare team. Given that we operate in a challenging and often difficult market, this award acknowledges the strong team ethos that is already in place and that we will continue to nuture and promote going forward."
Commenting on the wonderful achievement by 49 organisations, CEO of the Great Place to Work Programme, John Ryan, said that competition for places on the list was at its highest in 10 years as more organisations had chosen to go through the assessment process, clearly appreciating the business benefits of having a high performing workplace where employees are seen as having a critical impact.
"This is a fantastic achievement particularly given the difficult economic backdrop, proving that if you invest time and effort in developing the right culture in your organisation your people will be your best asset and will be key to your business success"
Great Place to Work Ireland is part of a Global network with offices in 48 countries using the same assessment methodology to publish 45 country lists, as well as regional and a Global list. The best known is the Fortune 100 list of best companies to work for in the United States. The key defining feature of a best workplace is the levels of trust that exist within it. The definition of a great workplace from an employee's viewpoint is one where you trust the people you work with, you have great pride in what you do and you enjoy the people you work with.
The Great Place to Work Institute assesses the practices in place in organisations under 9 key areas: inspiring, speaking, listening, caring, developing, thanking, hiring, celebrating and sharing. They then benchmark these practices against other organisations in that country. The second key component of the assessment is an anonymous 'trust index survey' that gathers the perceptions of employees under 5 dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie. Finally there is a full analysis of open ended comments from employees.
A full list of listed organisations and award winners is available at www.greatplacetowork.ie
Board of Laya Healthcare is formally unveiled at new Dublin office
Pictured L to R - D.O. O'Connor, Larry O'Dwyer, Brenda Ryan, Kieran Barry, Dr. Ann O'Doherty, Dónal Clancy, Mary Condon and Brendan Tuohy.
Monday, December 17th, 2012. Laya healthcare's seven member Board of Directors has been formally unveiled at the company's new Dublin office in Fitzwilliam Hall. The new base in the heart of Dublin will be home to members of laya healthcare's Corporate Sales and Occupational Health (Health@Work) teams.
The Board is led by Chairman and Non-Executive Director, Kieran Barry, former Managing Director in Ireland with Hewitt Associates. The Board includes three Executive Directors from laya healthcare's senior management team - Dónal Clancy, Managing Director, D.O. O'Connor, Deputy Managing Director & Director of Business Development and Mary Condon, Director of Finance.
The three remaining Board members are Non-Executive Directors, Brendan Tuohy, Former Secretary General of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Larry O'Dwyer, a former partner at Ernst & Young and current member of the Audit Committees of University College Cork and Cork County Council and Dr. Ann O'Doherty, Clinical Director, BreastCheck, Dublin and Consultant Radiologist, St. Vincent's Hospital.
Brenda Ryan, laya's Director of Operations, has been appointed the new Company Secretary. Brenda helped steer the management-led buyout of QUINN-healthcare in December 2011. She joined BUPA Ireland in 2000 and is an experienced member of the senior management team.
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kieran Barry signaled a bright future ahead for laya healthcare: "This is a hugely exciting time for the team and the members of laya healthcare. At our launch on May 14th, we pledged ourselves to looking after our members always and we will strive hard to fulfill that promise. We also announced our intention to expand the business, with plans to add 100 new jobs over a three year period. I'm delighted to confirm that 30 additional people have already been recruited since the launch with further recruitment planned".
Laya healthcare is the second largest provider of private health insurance in Ireland, with more than 450,000 members. The company officially launched on May 14th heralding a new era in Irish private health insurance. The company has positioned itself as the consumer champion in the private health insurance market with its brand promise - 'Looking After You Always'. This represents laya healthcare's member-centric approach which is fundamental to its vision and values.
Laya healthcare's senior management team, led by Managing Director and Board member, Dónal Clancy, has extensive experience in the healthcare industry both in Ireland and internationally. Most of the senior team have been with the organisation since it originally launched as BUPA Ireland in 1997.
Laya healthcare's policies are underwritten by Elips Insurance Ltd. (trading as laya healthcare), a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Re. The Swiss Re Group is a leading wholesale provider of reinsurance, insurance and other insurance-based forms of risk transfer. Founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1863, Swiss Re serves clients through a network of 56 offices globally and is rated "AA" by Standard & Poor's. Its global client base consists of insurance companies, mid to large-sized corporations and public sector clients.
Laya Healthcare announces '50% off kids' offer
-Save 50% on kids' premiums on Health Smart Plans from November-
Dublin, Thursday, 1st November 2012: Laya healthcare, Ireland's second largest provider of private health insurance with more than 450,000 members, today announced details of its 50% discount for children's cover on its Health Smart and Health Smart Family schemes.
Switch now to avail of 50% off children premiums on two of laya healthcare's most popular schemes Health Smart (just €130 per child) and Health Smart Family (just €200 per child) from 1st November. The discount is activated immediately upon switching and is valid for 12 months.
Dónal Clancy, Managing Director of laya healthcare says that the inspiration to offer '50% off kids' on two of its most popular schemes came from members, "Affordability and cost remain the number one issue that's front of mind with our members. We regularly ask them for ideas on how we can help and giving a discount on children was one of the most popular 'asks'. At our launch in May we made a promise to our members of Looking After You Always. This new offer is just another example of how we are constantly striving to keep this promise and moreover, keep quality private health insurance accessible to families across Ireland."
The 50% off kids offer is available for purchase to all consumers nationwide. Call laya healthcare now on 1890 700 890 to get more information, or visit laya healthcare at www.layahealthcare.ie.
About laya healthcare:
Laya healthcare officially launched on May 14th marking a new era in Irish private health insurance. The company has positioned itself as the consumer champion in the private health insurance market with its brand promise - 'Looking After You Always'. This represents laya healthcare's member-centric approach which is fundamental to its vision and values. Laya healthcare is the second largest provider of private health insurance in Ireland, with more than 450,000 members.
Laya healthcare's policies are underwritten by Elips Insurance Ltd. (trading as laya healthcare), a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Re. The Swiss Re Group is a leading wholesale provider of reinsurance, insurance and other insurance-based forms of risk transfer. Founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1863, Swiss Re serves clients through a network of 56 offices globally and is rated "AA" by Standard & Poor's. Its global client base consists of insurance companies, mid-to-large-sized corporations and public sector clients.
Statement from Laya Healthcare re Risk Equalisation Bill - Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012
Thursday, October 18th, 2012. Laya healthcare is frustrated by, and disappointed at, the ill-considered way in which the Government is rushing through its proposal for a revised new Risk Equalisation Bill - Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012 without any proper consultation with health insurance providers.
The focus for the Department of Health should be on affordability and the consumer's ability to pay. Since February 2012, when the Government first announced plans to revise the Bill, laya healthcare has made several attempts – all futile – to meet with the Department of Health in an effort to review the legislation and offer constructive feedback on proposed amendments and solutions. Despite promises to the contrary, all efforts to engage have unfortunately been spurned or ignored.
Along with a number of other key stakeholders, laya healthcare has been invited to attend a debriefing session in the Department of Health tomorrow, Friday, October 19th. The consultation process has been requested by laya healthcare for some time now. Therefore, it was expected that this session would provide an opportunity for the interested parties to review and provide feedback on the draft Bill prior to its publication. In the meantime, the Department announced its intention to publish the Bill prior to the debriefing session on Friday, negating the chance of any meaningful consultation at this late stage.
Laya healthcare is currently working through the detail of the Bill and reviewing the exact financial implications for consumers. However, at first glance the following points are already clear:
- The ability of consumers to avail of new, innovative benefits has been squashed by the new Bill as insurers will only be permitted to alter benefits across its most popular range of schemes, once a year. This will stifle competition in the market and will impact negatively on consumers in terms of genuine choice and affordability.
- The way in which the Bill was introduced is extremely heavy handed given that it restricts the private health insurers' ability to introduce innovative new products to the market. The private health insurers only received sight of the draft legislation on October 17th, the very same day that they were required to give notice to the HIA of all products for sale from January 1st, 2013. This is without full visibility on how risk equalisation will be rolled out.
- As the system currently stands, consumers are discouraged from moving provider mid year as the health levy must be paid regardless of movement within the market. This new bill has done nothing to address this. Laya healthcare has a range of innovative benefits in the pipeline which will be welcomed by consumers but will be restricted from introducing these under the new Bill.
- The proposed new regime will be much more complex and expensive for the HIA to operate and will require significantly more resources. This will ultimately impact on the cost of the health levy which will be passed on in rising costs to the consumer.
- It would appear that this bill is incentivising the market based on the number of nights a person occupies a hospital bed. This will drive inefficiency and increase the cost of claims by encouraging patients to stay in hospital longer than is necessary.
Dónal Clancy, Managing Director, laya healthcare said: "As the second largest player in the private health insurance market, we represent more than 450,000 members who tell us they are extremely worried about the spiralling cost of private health insurance. Reforming the private health insurance sector must include incentivising younger people to enter the market with a standard product or Universal Health Insurance as its heart. For some time, we have been asking Minister Reilly and his officials at the Department of Health to engage in open and meaningful consultation with all key industry stakeholders to move this process forward. Regrettably for consumers, these requests have fallen on deaf ears".
"Affordability is the number one reason for people exiting the market and it's primarily young people with families who are cancelling their policies. This is a disaster for the future of the healthcare industry as young people are critical to helping underpin the principle of Community Rating. This principle means that older people should not be penalised by paying more for their private health insurance than younger people in the market. Furthermore, it's a vicious circle when more people choose to opt out of private health insurance they merely fall back into an already overstretched and overburdened public health system. One of the better ways to make improvements is to incentivise young people to enter or stay in the market".
"Unless we seriously tackle the cost spiral affecting consumers in the market, which is primarily being driven by an unfair health levy or stealth tax, and look at ways of reducing the cost of claims, we risk facing a serious meltdown of our healthcare system" concluded Mr. Clancy.
Helping one another to piece together the ASD jigsaw
Laya Heathcare Autism Jigsaw Seminar in association with the Shine Centre for Autism
Tuesday 9th, October 2012: The 2012 Laya Healthcare Autism Jigsaw takes place in the Maryborough Hotel & Spa, Cork from 8.30am to 3.45pm on Thursday, 25th October. Building on the fantastic success of last year's event, with over 700 people in attendance, this years' seminar will include expert speakers from the United States, the UK and Ireland. Covering a wide range of topics around autism and Asperger Syndrome, the purpose of this event is to educate and empower attendees to put the pieces of the ASD jigsaw together. ASD, or Autism Spectrum Disorders, refers to any diagnosis within the autism spectrum, from Asperger Syndrome at the high end to "classic" autism at the low end. This seminar will enable parents, educators, carers and professionals living and working with autism to listen to new ideas, strategies and enhance their own knowledge and expertise.
Jennifer Cooke O'Toole, author of the hugely successful book, Asperkids, will be travelling from the United States as this years' guest speaker. Jennifer will speak of her experiences of living with ASD and the challenges she faced on her path to becoming an award winning educator and author. The speaker line up will also include professionals such as Kevin Baskerville, Leicestershire Autism Service Intensive Support Manager, and Dr. Mickey Keenan Senior Lecturer at the University of Ulster and Behavioural Analyst. The 2012 seminar sponsored by laya healthcare will once again cover a diverse range of topics including; bridging the social gap for children and adolescents with autism, practical strategies to help in the areas of relationships and sexuality, and encouraging and re-enforcing positive behaviour for persons with autism.
A vital element of the Laya Healthcare Autism Jigsaw Seminar is the Q&A session held at the end of each speaker's presentation. This session gives each attendee the opportunity to ask questions of each of the six expert speakers about specific issues, or challenges that they regularly face. The Exhibitor Area offers those in attendance the opportunity to meet and find out more about companies and organisations who supply services within the autism community.
Laya healthcare Managing Director, Dónal Clancy, is once again delighted to be a part of this fantastic event, saying; "Shine is an organisation which we at laya healthcare are delighted to have an affiliation with. Each day they touch the lives of those they work with, as they help and support adults and children affected by Autism. Last year saw the first Laya Healthcare Autism Jigsaw Seminar which is just one way in which Shine reach out to those with ASD in their lives. I encourage everyone to attend this year's seminar which I can promise will be beneficial and rewarding to all taking part."
Tickets for the Laya Healthcare Autism Jigsaw Seminar, which include a light lunch, range in price from €15 for students to only €25 for an adult ticket. Group discounts are also available. For more information on the Laya Healthcare Autism Jigsaw Seminar; running order, speaker information and topics, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.autismjigsaw.com, or www.facebook.com/layahealthcare
Laya Healthcare launches new 'Aspire' scheme
Health insurance with Dublin in mind
Wednesday, 18th July: Laya healthcare today announced a new, unique scheme, developed specifically with Dublin-based consumers in mind. The new scheme provides the 5 star cover you do need, without having to pay for the cover you don't! This new innovative scheme, Aspire, is part of laya healthcare's consumer-centric focus on listening to its members and delivering the range of schemes they are looking for, at exceptional value. In other words this is part of laya heathcare's commitment to looking after its members always.
Through listening to their members and, indeed, to the wider marketplace, laya healthcare learned that there is a significant requirement for access to private hospitals at a competitive price. Laya healthcare's new scheme provides access to two of Dublin's premium medical facilities, the Beacon Hospital and the Sports Surgery Clinic, as well as all public hospitals in Ireland.
Launched as part of a fantastic 3-2-1 introductory offer, consumers who sign up from now to September 20th, will get three months free (€645 per adult, €180 per child). If they sign up from September 21st to October 21st, they will get two months free (€717 per adult, €200 per child),and from October 22nd to November 21st consumers will get one month free (€788 per adult, €220 per child). This means five star private hospital treatment for members at an excellent price point.
Managing Director, Dónal Clancy talked about the launch of the new scheme: "From listening to both members and potential members, we know that access to private hospitals at a competitive price is an urgent requirement.The range of private hospitals in our capital city allows us to be innovative and to maximise value delivered to members living in this area. Aspire is a bespoke scheme and, through our link with the Beacon Hospital and the Sports Surgery Clinic, offers premium medical care at excellent value for our members. Put simply, it's 5 star health insurance with Dublin in mind".
Laya healthcare's management team, led by Managing Director, Dónal Clancy, has extensive experience in the healthcare industry both in Ireland and internationally, and most of the senior team have been with the organisation since it originally launched as BUPA Ireland back in 1997.
Laya healthcare's policies are underwritten by Elips Insurance Ltd. (trading as laya healthcare), a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Re. The Swiss Re Group is a leading wholesale provider of reinsurance, insurance and other insurance-based forms of risk transfer. Founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1863, Swiss Re serves clients through a network of 56 offices globally and is rated "AA" by Standard & Poor's. Its global client base consists of insurance companies, mid-to-large-sized corporations and public sector clients.
The Aspire scheme is available for purchase to all consumers nationwide, satisfying the usual criteria.
Call laya healthcare now on 1890 700 890 to see how Aspire inspires you, or visit laya healthcare at www.layahealthcare.ie.
New scanning facility open to Laya Healthcare members
New scanning facility open to Laya Healthcare members
June 7th, 2012. Laya healthcare today confirmed that it has reached agreement with Alliance Medical, who operate the PET/CT Scanner at Cork's University Hospital, to provide access to members requiring the use of services at the facility on an out-patient basis.
The new scanner has been operational at CUH since May 18th and has been available across all laya healthcare schemes since June 1st.
PET is a powerful diagnostic tool that is advancing clinicians understanding of the underlying causes of disease and improving the way in which many diseases are detected and treated. It provides physicians with superior information for determining tissue characterisations and classifications, staging of cancers, restaging of cancers, patient prognosis and monitoring the effectiveness of cancer therapies.
Brenda Ryan, Director of Claims and Provider Relations, laya healthcare, welcomed today's announcement: "We are delighted that from June 1st all our members will be able to avail of cutting edge diagnostic treatment at Cork University Hospital, greatly minimising the need for cancer patients to travel for PET scans. The new PET scanner will be used in the rapid detection of cancers, facilitating the best possible outcome for patients and their families".
Laya healthcare continually strives to provide the best possible medical outcomes and value for its members. As the newest name in the private health insurance market, laya healthcare currently provides access to PET/CT scanning throughout the country in Galway, Dublin, Waterford and now in Cork.
About laya healthcare
As the newest name in the Irish private health insurance market, laya healthcare's brand promise - 'Looking After You Always' - represents the company's member-centric approach which is fundamental to its vision and values.
Laya healthcare works hard to offer the best possible benefits and value to its members and has recently launched two new and exciting initiatives. Laya healthcare's 'HeartBeat', the company's new cardiac screening initiative, allows all laya healthcare members, from 12 years upwards, to avail of free preventative cardiac screening.
In addition, the company's 3-2-1 product offer on its 'Health Smart' and 'Health Smart Family' schemes means that consumers who switch to either scheme right away get three months free; if they switch in July, they will get two months free and if they switch in August, they will get one month free!
* Please note, in order to ensure they meet the criteria, any member scheduled to undergo a PET/CT scan at CUH should contact laya healthcare on 1890 700 890.
Laya Healthcare marks launch by announcing 100 new Jobs...14/05/2012
14th May 2012
Laya Healthcare Marks Launch by Announcing
100 New Jobs
New Products Launched – HeartBeat Cardiac Screening for Members and a 3-2-1 Offer on Two New Schemes
Laya healthcare, the new name in Irish private health insurance, today marks its official launch by announcing 100 new jobs over the next three years. Today's job announcement marks a hugely positive period for laya healthcare.
Laya healthcare's brand promise - 'Looking After You Always' - represents the company's member centric approach which is fundamental to its vision and values. The company currently employs 343 people at its headquarters in Cork.
Laya healthcare's 'HeartBeat', the company's new cardiac screening initiative, will also be launched today. This will allow all laya healthcare members, from 12 years upwards, to avail of preventative cardiac screening. In addition, the company's 3-2-1 product offer on its 'Health Smart' and 'Health Smart Family' schemes is also being launched today. Available to consumers from May 21st, the 3-2-1 offer allows people who switch to either scheme right away to get three months free; if they switch in July, they will get two months free and if they switch in August, they will get one month free!
Speaking passionately about his vision for the new company at the official launch in Dublin, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director said: "This is a hugely exciting day for the private health insurance market and for all the team at laya healthcare. From today, laya healthcare will position itself as the key consumer champion in the private health insurance market. All of us involved in the sector recognise that there are significant issues and problems which need to be resolved. For our part we, at laya healthcare, will do everything possible to ensure that our members have a strong voice from within the industry to champion their cause and to add positively to the national healthcare debate. Our new company philosophy is totally focused on securing the best possible outcome for our members".
In conclusion, Mr. Clancy said: "I am making a solemn promise to our members today that we will work relentlessly on their behalf to deliver the very best value available in the private health insurance market by constantly challenging ourselves and our suppliers to ensure we are looking after our members needs, always".
Laya healthcare's new HeartBeat initiative, which will be delivered in conjunction with provider HeartAid, is the company's free cardiac screening for members and was developed specifically to help combat the incidence of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, heart attacks and other cardiac related conditions. Heart conditions including sudden adult death syndrome are a major cause of deaths in Ireland each year. Up to 2 young people die each week in Ireland from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). The European Society of Cardiology &International Olympic Committee recommend cardiac screening, as does the GAA's Medical Scientific & Advisory committee. HeartBeat will allow new and existing laya healthcare members to avail of this excellent benefit to help early detection and prevention of conditions that may causeSudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).
Laya healthcare's management team, led by Managing Director, Dónal Clancy, has extensive experience in the healthcare industry both in Ireland and internationally, and most of the senior team have been with the organsation since it originally launched as BUPA Ireland back in 1997.
Laya healthcare's policies are underwritten by Elips Insurance Ltd. (trading as laya healthcare), a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Re. The Swiss Re Group is a leading wholesale provider of reinsurance, insurance and other insurance-based forms of risk transfer. Founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 1863, Swiss Re serves clients through a network of 56 offices globally and is rated "AA" by Standard & Poor's. Its global client base consists of insurance companies, mid-to-large-sized corporations and public sector clients.
Dónal Clancy, QUINN-healthcare's Managing Director, confirms QUINN-healthcare is rebranding to Laya Healthcare.
1st May 2012
Dónal Clancy, QUINN-healthcare's Managing Director, confirms QUINN-healthcare is rebranding to Laya Healthcare.
QUINN-healthcare, Ireland's leading private health insurance provider has confirmed that it will be rebranding to Laya healthcare.
The new name is derived from the company's promise to its members – Looking After You Always. The company is currently in the process of transitioning to the new brand which is a very exciting time for all the team and its more than 450,000 members.
There will be no operational impact on members during the transition period, it's very much business as usual. QUINN-healthcare continues to sell and renew policies and pay member claims in the normal way.
Commenting on this exciting change, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director, said: "As from today, May 1st, our new underwriter is Elips Insurance Limited, a wholly owned subsidary of SwissRe. We are having a formal launch on Monday, May 14th where we're really looking forward to announcing new innovative initiatives and value to the market. I will be contacting our members over the coming weeks to share these developments with them".
Further details will be announced at the launch on Monday, May 14th.
1st May 2012
QUINN-healthcare, Ireland's leading private health insurance provider has confirmed that it will be rebranding to Laya healthcare.
The new name is derived from the company's promise to its members – Looking After You Always. The company is currently in the process of transitioning to the new brand which is a very exciting time for all the team and its more than 450,000 members.
There will be no operational impact on members during the transition period, it's very much business as usual. QUINN-healthcare continues to sell and renew policies and pay member claims in the normal way.
Commenting on this exciting change, Dónal Clancy, Managing Director, said: "As from today, May 1st, our new underwriter is Elips Insurance Limited, a wholly owned subsidary of SwissRe. We are having a formal launch on Monday, May 14th where we're really looking forward to announcing new innovative initiatives and value to the market. I will be contacting our members over the coming weeks to share these developments with them".
Further details will be announced at the launch on Monday, May 14th.