Unum expands cancer support through Help@hand

More than one million UK employees will gain easier access to specialist cancer support after Unum UK integrated Reframe’s cancer services into its Help@hand health and wellbeing app. The employee benefits provider said the move will make its Cancer Assist service available through a single digital platform for employees covered by employer-paid Critical Illness or Group Life policies. The support will extend to eligible family members. 

The announcement comes as cancer remains the leading cause of claims across Unum UK’s group risk products, accounting for 69 per cent of Critical Illness claims. The insurer also highlighted that around 120,000 working-age people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer each year. 

The integration follows earlier Unum research highlighting the challenges many employers face in supporting employees affected by cancer. 

The research found that 70 per cent of employees with cancer believed they could have returned to work sooner if they had received greater support from their employer. Meanwhile, 60 per cent of SME managers said they found, or would find, conversations about cancer diagnosis and treatment difficult, while 30 per cent admitted they were not knowledgeable about the support their business already offers employees living with cancer. 

The findings also showed that 80 per cent of SME managers felt responsible for supporting family members of employees affected by cancer. 

John Hyde, Chief Marketing Officer at Unum UK, said: “At Unum we are constantly listening to feedback and innovating to make our services as seamless as possible. The integration of cancer support into Help@hand is a natural progression of our evolving digital proposition, giving employees access to health and wellbeing services in one easy-to-use app. 

“With 120,000 people of working age diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK, access to cancer support is more important than ever. Integrating Reframe into Help@hand helps employees take control of their cancer journey and gives them a place to go for guidance, deal with their diagnosis, and discuss the support they need, whether it’s continuing to work or returning to work with more confidence.” 

The launch reflects a growing focus across workplace health on supporting employees with serious and long-term health conditions beyond diagnosis, helping individuals remain in work where appropriate and supporting a confident return to work following treatment.