One in five employees (20%) with long-term health conditions who received support from RedArc – via their insurer or via insurance provided by their employer – during 2025 were helped to either remain in work or return to work. All of these had complex, long-term conditions with significant health issues.
This data, from RedArc’s annual patient survey, demonstrates the importance of providing practical and emotional support at difficult times in people’s lives. Even if people have complex and significant long-term health issues, if they get the right support, they can continue to be economically active – helping themselves, their employer and the economy as a whole.
According to the Keep Britain Working Report1, except for retirement, long-term sickness is the primary reason for economic inactivity, with estimates of around 2.8 million working-age people now not in work due to health conditions, placing an annual burden of ÂŁ85 billion on employers.
Christine Husbands, commercial consultant, RedArc, commented: “Businesses of all types and sizes are undoubtedly operating under tight margins at present, which makes reducing avoidable costs more important than ever. Many health and protection benefits include access to practical and emotional support via added value services at no extra charge, and by making full use of this support, organisations can  make a real difference to the costs associated with long-term sickness.”
RedArc’s patient data further indicates that those who accessed this type of support via an insurer reported measurable improvements in confidence (51%) and an increased ability to engage in activities they enjoy (26%). These outcomes are significant from an employer and insurer perspective because improved confidence and day-to-day functioning are closely linked to greater resilience and a stronger capacity to return to normal routines, including work.
The importance of clinical case management
Third-party support delivered by specialist clinicians can help individuals to better understand their conditions, reducing the risk of self-diagnosis, inappropriate treatment choices, and potentially delaying their recovery. This clinical case management is often difficult for employers to provide directly, yet it plays a pivotal role in achieving positive outcomes cost-effectively.
With clinical case management available, individuals are supported in accessing the full range of help available to them, from understanding treatment options and obtaining second medical opinions to being signposted to relevant charities and support groups, as well as receiving appropriate therapy and counselling. RedArc’s 2025 data shows that over nearly three-quarters (71%) of those who accessed its support via an insurance policy said they valued being made aware of everything available to help them, through RedArc itself, but also in terms of understanding other sources of support via the NHS and the community.
Christine Husbands continued: “When businesses are selecting employee benefits, and when insurers and advisers are making recommendations, it is essential to ensure that access to practical and emotional clinical support is included. It is frequently embedded within health and protection policies, and the evidence demonstrates that it delivers meaningful outcomes. Where this support is not included, policies risk falling short of their full potential value to both employers and employees.”
