Hello!
As a not-for-profit organisation, we are passionately committed to serving and supporting our customers, the local community and our own fantastic team. So as 2018 fast approaches, and we all don our Christmas jumpers and get ready for the festive season, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you just some of the ways we have been able to do this over the course of the last 12 months.
Much more than just great health cash plans
We are extremely proud that we are able to deliver even more to you, our valued policyholders. During 2017 we paid more than 80% of the premiums received back in claim payments to you, demonstrating our genuine commitment to keeping you fit, healthy and happy.
We pride ourselves on always looking for ways to enhance our plans and so that you benefit even more this year we were delighted to add the GP24/7 app and Paycare Perks to our services. If you haven’t already, these can be accessed through the MyPaycare area on the Paycare website so do take a look.
Also in 2017, we re-opened our counter service here on George Street enabling you to collect or hand-in claim forms, make enquiries or discuss any policy matters face-to-face with a member of the team.
Our brand-spanking-new website!
Within Paycare there have been lots of exciting developments too,
all aimed at delivering more and more benefits to you, and the communities we serve. Our new branding and website with its shiny new log-in area are prime examples of us never resting on our laurels in our commitment to you.
And, we continue to focus on our own team as well, with a structured approach to training and development which includes a mentoring programme, buddying system, and the opportunity for all of our team to undertake relevant, professional qualifications.
Supporting great causes
As a further commitment to our local area (and our team), everyone working at Paycare is offered two paid volunteering days to support a worthwhile cause or charity close to their hearts. This aligns with our community-focused, caring and can-do approach, and is just one of the latest initiatives we’ve put in place centred on helping others.
Recently three members of the team spent a day renovating the Mentoring Room at The Way – Wolverhampton Youth Zone, a local charity established to support the needs of young people in our city. And in December, many of the team got together to help sort presents for Cash4Kids, a charity which collects gifts for children who otherwise wouldn’t get very much at this festive time.
Good for you, good for the community
We have also had enormous satisfaction and pleasure from supporting, through partnership investment, the Light House, a registered charity which is not only the Black Country’s lone independent cinema but which offers so much more with galleries, a café bar and arts venue enhancing the cultural and social scene in Wolverhampton and beyond.
In addition, we were thrilled to launch the inaugural Paycare Unity Cup which saw LGBT teams Black Country Fusion FC and Wolves Pride FC battle it out at Molineux in aid of The Haven – a Wolverhampton-based charity which supports women and dependent children who are affected by domestic violence and homelessness.
Of course, 2017 has also brought with it some challenges, one of which being the increase in Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) forcing us to increase our prices in the summer. We are passionate about supporting you, your business and your families and strongly believe that health insurance should be zero-rated as in many other countries and we are continuing to support our trade body, The Association of Financial Mutuals, to raise the issue with the Government and regulators.
Now another Government-initiated scheme is testing us as we prepare for the changes to data protection legislation due to come into effect in May 2018. As always, all of our Paycare policyholders can be rest assured that we are well prepared for this and any other challenges that may come our way and that your health and wellbeing is our absolute priority.
So all it leaves me to say is thank you so much for all your support during 2017, and on behalf of the whole Paycare team I wish you a safe and happy 2018.
Yours sincerely,
Kevin Rogers
CEO