It is not surprising employers choose Private Medical Insurance (PMI) as a benefit for their staff.

Though most employees now expect PMI as part of their benefit package, not all companies offer this as a benefit and indeed, those that do, rarely cover their entire workforce or their employees` dependants. This is often down to the perceived cost to the company; however, many companies fail to see the longer-term benefits.

It may be that work-related stress, sickness absence or staff retention is an issue with your company. As employers there are solutions available to minimise your business risk that need not be too costly to install. In doing so, it will almost certainly result in at least a “cost neutral” solution and may even lead to significant cost reductions.

PMI cover is designed to provide both out-patient and in-patient insurance cover at times of illness. PMI not only helps retain your most valued staff (and therefore saves on training and recruitment costs) it also enables staff to gain quicker access to treatment; ensuring a speedy return to the workplace.

Candour advises on a range of corporate healthcare solutions and offer impartial proposals whether you are reviewing your existing arrangements or adding healthcare to your employee benefits package.

Product options range from traditional fully comprehensive plans to innovative part-funded schemes and prices vary accordingly. As independent advisers, we are able to guide you through the `minefield` of benefit packages, underwriting procedures, excess options and price variations to identify a plan which offers the desired level of cover at an affordable price.

It is our role to make you aware of the pros, cons, unique selling points and disadvantages of each recommended product to enable you to make an informed choice in selecting the most suitable plan. Once the decision is made we continue to oversee the enrolment process until your registration documents are issued and you are provided with a membership number and help-line numbers to establish contact with your chosen insurer. Candour will remain in the background to assist you with any difficulty in dealings with the insurer and at each annual renewal we also offer our service to obtain quotations for varied levels of benefit as required.