Employers could recoup £2.87 for every £1 spent on Equipsme

We’ve worked with data and wellbeing experts Fruitful Insights to help businesses understand the potential return on investment from our employee health insurance plans. This research looks at the causes and frequency of sickness absences, the true impact they have on businesses – and the difference between NHS and private waiting times.

We calculate that our plans get people get back to work 2x faster than the NHS – resulting in a return of £2.87 for every £1 spent on an Equipsme plan. Find out more about the data, assumptions and calculations used to generate these numbers by downloading our 2026‑ 2027 report below.

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The cost of absence to businesses

£85 billion cost

In the UK, the total economic cost of sickness absence, lost productivity through worklessness, informal care giving, and health-related productivity losses, are estimated to be around £85bn annually. (Source)

Main reasons for sickness absence

30% minor illnesses
15.5% musculoskeletal
15.1% other
9.8% mental health problems
7.3% respiratory conditions

(Source)

148.9 million days

According to ONS, an estimated 148.9 million working days were lost because of sickness or injury in 2024, this is an average 4.4 days lost per worker.

(Source)

9.4 days a year

CIPD’s 2025 Health and wellbeing at work report shows the highest sickness absence rate for over a decade.

(Source)

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Can you afford not to invest?

ROI has been the Holy Grail of the health insurance industry for some time and because we have the same transparent price for both new and renewing customers, Fruitful Insights could more accurately measure the cost impact on a business.

£2.87 is a conservative assumption and doesn’t include the impact of higher engagement and lower staff turnover.

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Find out more

To find out more about how Fruitful Insights can help your business understand more about their sickness absence rates and how to measure them accurately please get in touch directly with Mike Tyler or June Dawson by clicking below.

Contact Fruitful Insights

To find out more about how Equipsme plans can help your business to help your team to stay well and work well please download our joint white paper today or get in touch with our friendly team today by clicking below.

Contact Equipsme