Healthier and wealthier

Aviva today announces the launch of MyHealthCounts - an innovative enhancement to its individual private health insurance policies. The initiative not only encourages customers to improve their wellbeing, but could also help them cut the costs of their private health insurance by around £180 per year.

MyHealthCounts helps customers take a proactive approach to their health and wellbeing with a variety of tools, starting with an online health check to obtain a "Q Score" that compares their current and potential wellbeing to that of their peer group. Customers who have a "Q Score" of over 40 (out of 100) will be rewarded with a discount on their private health insurance renewal of up to 15%.

The unique discount is awarded off the customer's next private health insurance renewal premium irrespective of whether they have made a claim on their policy.

Customers eligible for a No Claim Discount will receive this in addition to the MyHealthCounts discount.

To take advantage of the discount, customers complete a short online health risk assessment examining all aspects of their health and lifestyle, for example BMI, cholesterol level and blood pressure as well as smoking, diet, stress, drinking and exercise. They will then be given their personal "Q Score".

For a more in-depth understanding of key health measurements, Aviva has negotiated 66% discount off health checks at over 600 pharmacies across the UK. These can be booked via the MyHealthCounts system.

Customers are encouraged to keep track of their progress with advice from an online health coach, and incentives such as discounted gym membership. To monitor progress the "Q Score" can be completed at any point during the year to give customers an idea of what discount they may be eligible for at their next renewal.

Commenting on the new initiative, Dr Doug Wright, Head of Clinical Governance at Aviva UK Health, says: "People often associate medical insurance wellness discounts with going to the gym but we recognise that everyone is different. Rather than adopting a "one size fits all approach" MyHealthCounts lets our customers choose the steps they take to improve their lifestyle - however big or small.

And because we want to give them a positive incentive to improve their health, we're rewarding them for their efforts irrespective of whether they claim on their private health insurance policy. Helping them improve both their own and their financial health."