2. About Orchard Healthcare
• Orchard Healthcare, formally known as Worcester Hospital Contributors
Association (WHCA), nearly 100 years in existence was formed in 1921 to provide
funds to run Hospitals in the Worcestershire area.
• When the NHS was formed in 1947 Orchard Healthcare cash plans were set up to
help individuals to manage the costs of basic healthcare.
• A non-profit making society - all of the funds are reinvested for the benefits of
our members.
• Orchard Healthcare (WHCA) is a member of the British Health Care Association
(BHCA) to provide financial assistance for individuals to help meet the needs of
everyday healthcare costs
• Orchard Healthcare Plans are used by local companies both large and small to
provide health care for their employees.
• With headquarters based in Worcester our friendly team are available to answer
queries and provide a fast turnaround of claims.
3. Why is health and wellbeing so important
As the UK comes out of recession employers are finding:
• Demand for skilled high quality employees and labour shortages are emerging.
• Labour Retention is becoming an issue
• The workforce is having to continue working for longer as retirement has to be delayed
• 10 million are over 65 in the UK and set to double in the next 30 years with many working up to the age of 70
• Absenteeism costs the UK economy £14 Billion p.a. with 5.3 days lost per head each year.
• The NHS is struggling to cope with the demands of an ageing workforce.
Employers are facing:
• Challenging labour supply and demand issues
• An ageing working population
• Financial pressures to delay retirement
• Growing NHS treatment issues
It is no wonder that many top UK employers are putting Health and Wellbeing on the “corporate agenda”.
4. Developing an Employer Brand
• At the recent Hereford and Worcester HR Professionals Conference attended by over 50
companies “skills shortages and how to cope with them” dominated the agenda.
• Recent surveys* have shown that 74% of UK CEOs now have concerns about this (compared to
46% six years ago).
• As the UK economy moves further out of recession employment levels will rise creating employee
retention challenges for all employers.
• With increased competition for labour inevitable there has never been a better time for
companies to develop their “employer brand” as promoted by the CIPD.
• One aspect of the “employer brand” being recognised by many top UK employers is the
importance of Health and Wellbeing and its impact upon dealing with an aging workforce.
• An employer brand not only helps with recruitment it can encourage retention.
• Offering a cash plan such as Orchard Healthcare’s can form an integral part of a Health and
Wellbeing initiative and thereby aiding the development of an employer brand.
* Survey undertaken by Price Waterhouse Cooper
5. What is a health cash plan
• Health cash plans help to cover the cost of everyday healthcare needs
by providing a range of health benefits and cashback on dental,
optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and much more.
• A simple and affordable way for companies to look after their
employees and offer a benefit they will value.
• A range of plans available so that employees can find the one that
best suits their needs.
6. How do cash plans work?
• Employees pay for their treatment as normal.
• Employees fill out our claim form for their everyday health care costs
and send in their receipt.
• Payment is made by cheque or bank transfer to the employee.
• Claims are usually turned around in 3 to 5 days.
• Immediate cover is offered on Corporate plans so that employees can
benefit straightaway from the scheme.
7. Why opt for a Cash Plan
• Ideal for companies looking for a health cash plan that can be easily
implemented.
• The plan offers cover from just £1.07 per week and can be employee funded via
payroll deduction.
Why choose our Health Cash Plan:
• We offer competitive benefits that employees really value.
• The Orchard Healthcare plan offers 50% cashback on core healthcare benefits
such as dental and optical up to a maximum of £150*, and physiotherapy or
osteopathy up to a maximum of £550*.
Hospital cover
• Employees receive cashback on a range of hospital benefits including specialist
consultation, health screening and more.
• The plan also offers benefit payments for hospital inpatient and day surgery
treatments.
*Dental cover benefit payable of up to £150 on the gold scheme
** Physiotherapy, osteopathy and acupuncture benefit payable of up to £550 on the gold scheme
8. How a health cash plan can benefit your
company
• Health cash plans can help reduce sickness and improve health and wellbeing
amongst your employees.
• Providing affordable healthcare at a manageable cost can improve employee
morale, helping to recruit, retain and reward your staff as well as improving
productivity.
• Orchard Healthcare can help to keep your employees fit and healthy through the
cash plan by offering payment for some of the most common ailments such as a
50% contribution for physiotherapy to help relieve back pain and payment for
eye tests, dental checkups as well as many other treatments.
• Employees receive free personal accident protection up to £10,000 with every
Orchard Healthcare plan.
• Specialist consultation, health screening and complimentary therapies are also
covered by the variety of benefits on offer.
9. Testimonials
"...We have paid a subscription to WHCA for many of our employees as a benefit for well in
excess of 20 years now and they all consider it to be an excellent scheme. A little help to pay
for the unexpected medical bills when its most needed. TRP has always been very happy
with the service it receives from ORCHARD HEALTHCARE. Regards, Gina Children"
Gina Children, Director of TRP Sealing Systems Ltd.
“Joy Global have been using Orchard Healthcare to provide affordable health plans to our
employees over the past 25 years. We have always been impressed by their friendliness
being local to Worcester and quick response to claims."
Dave Rallings
Joy Global
"The employees of Machine Fabrications Ltd, and its subsidiary Ufone Engineers Ltd have
been members of the WHCA / Orchard Healthcare Plan since 2007. The service that has
been provided in respect of administration and claims management, has been very efficient
and friendly."
Caron New – Finance Manager
10. Key Features
✔ Quick and easy to implement
✔ Cost neutral – voluntary contributions via employee payroll deduction
✔ 50% cashback on a wide range of benefits
✔ 4 levels of cover for employees to choose from
✔ Cover from just £1.07 per week
✔ No medical required to join
✔ Dedicated account management including onsite presentations and
marketing support
✔ Free comprehensive personal accident cover up to £10,000 with every
Orchard Healthcare plan.
11. Implementing a cash plan
Member recruitment
• Once you've decided to go ahead with your plan, we can organise workplace presentations,
ongoing marketing support and help with application forms and paperwork to make sure as many
of your employees as possible take full advantage of their entitlement to health cover.
Payroll deductions and contributions
• For voluntary schemes, funded by contributions from employees themselves, the most efficient
way is by simple payroll deduction, but you can choose payment by BACS or cheque on a weekly,
monthly or quarterly basis. Whatever suits the needs of your company and its employee’s best.
Claims processing
• When employees need to claim cash back on their everyday healthcare costs, we'll look after the
whole process.
• They deal directly with our friendly, experienced staff and we always aim to process claims
promptly, usually within three working days.
• We'll even notify them of payment by e-mail or letter once payments been made so that they
don't chase you!
14. Benefits Summary
• Four levels of the plan available from the budget red option at £1.07 a
week to the gold membership offering increased benefits on all areas
particularly the popular optical and important specialist
consultations.
• Families are catered for with the Family Plan which covers all children
with a family in addition to two parents.
• Membership can be paid for weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually
ensuring flexible payment options for you.
15. Marketing Support
• To ensure your employees understand what’s on offer with the
Healthcare Plan we will provide marketing support including:
• Posters which explain the scheme and how it works.
• Editorial content for intranet or newsletter
• An email template outlining the scheme.
• Presentations to employees on the scheme
• One to one meetings with employees to answer any questions
• On joining all members will receive an individual welcome pack outlining the
scheme and its benefits to ensure they fully utilise it!
