VitalityHealth has introduced a 'VitalityGP' service allowing customers access to a GP consultation via online diagnosis.
VitalityHealth, formerly PruHealth, has launched the online service allowing policyholders to have Skype sessions with GPs who can make a diagnosis following a conversation with the policyholder.
The GP can then send send electronic prescriptions to Lloyds Pharmacy and where applicable, the presription can then can be delivered to the policyholder's door.
The private GP network will consist of 250 accredited GPs and 'GPSelect' will allow GPs to make referrals without a prescribed hospital list.
Revamped rewards
Another aspect of the changes announced as part of the revamp of its business, Vitality has announced changes to how it incentivises healthy living.
It has launched healthy rewards from British Airways and Starbucks across its VitalityHealth and VitalityLife insurance lines.
Two new categories have been established: Active Rewards, where through exercising and tracking their results members can unlock rewards every week, and Status Rewards, from which members can benefit by improving their Vitality Status over time.
This means Vitality members will be able to benefit from Status Rewards including:
• Discounts of up to 40% on British Airways return flights to more than 70 destinations across the UK and Europe, including taxes and charges.
Active Rewards
• A free drink from Starbucks for earning nine Vitality points on a weekly basis
As part of the changes to the rewards model, the Cineworld and Vue ticket reward will become an Active Reward.
Members now need to earn nine Vitality points in a week to benefit from a free cinema pass, as an attempt to inspire even more members to form healthier habits.
Vitality has made these changes following research which found members respond positively when asked to undertake activity which results in rewards.
Vitality points can be earned for Active Rewards by exercising at a Virgin Active gym, or walking, running or cycling using a linked activity tracking device.
To make this easier for members, the range of devices and apps, including the free Android and iPhone app Moves, with which they can earn Vitality points will increase. There will also be 50% off selected Garmin tracking devices.
In addition VitalityHealth Corporate will provide onsite screening for companies with group schemes and will provide health and wellbeing reports for these firms.
Focus on wellness
Neville Koopowitz, CEO of Vitality, said: "Our approach of offering protection and healthcare which focuses on wellness, rather than sickness, is unique to the market and something we are confident advisers will continue to find a big draw for their clients."
Commenting on the launch, Mike Tyler, partner of Lockton Benefits said: "Vitality has always been at the forefront of the thinking regarding the need to focus on the individual's approach to health. This is driven by good hard evidence - some 50% of deaths and approximately 80% of ill health is driven by 4 main disease categories which in turn are directly impacted by an individual's approach to 3 key health factors: smoking, lack of exercise and poor diet.
"The challenge is always to encourage an individual to pursue good health behaviours given that there is a disconnect between their actions and the outcome. Poor health decisions can be cheap - fast food provides quick gratification at a low cost whereas going to the gym is financially expensive, consumes time and doesn't provide high short term benefits.
He added: "The enhance Vitality offering continues to address these behavioural issues with a revamped Vitality points programme with more partners and also longer term rewards linked to BA flights to encourage individual's to maintain their good behaviours.
"This is now significantly reinforced by the private GP facility that is delivered using latest technology together with the on-site screening programmes. This package provides a comprehensive set of services for those corporates that want to the health of their employees at the centre of their business.
