Affordable business health plans for housing associations
With absence and wellbeing pressures rising across the housing sector, your teams need stronger support than ever. Our flexible health plans support every role. Helping you cut absence and give your people fast, reliable access to the care they need.
Comprehensive health support for housing teams
Managing wellbeing across mixed, mobile workforces is complex. Housing teams keep communities running, yet rising tenant complexity, tight budgets, and regulatory pressure strain resilience.1 Without the right support, absence rises, and service quality suffers.2
Our business health solutions
We make workplace healthcare simple for Housing Associations. Our affordable, centralised health plans give repairs operatives, neighbourhood officers, customer service teams, and office staff instant access to care, without admin hassle.
One health plan for all staff
Physio-first care pathways for faster recovery from musculoskeletal injuries*
Reporting dashboards for board, RSH & TSM narratives
Act early, cut absence, boost morale, and keep services running smoothly.
*Please note: These services are not included in the Simply Dental Plan and are provided by third-party providers.
Key benefits for your business
Cut staff absence and burnout
Rising sickness and burnout are hitting housing associations hard.3 Our preventative health plans give every employee fast access to flexible care. Reducing stress-related absence without adding complexity.
Attract and retain top talent
Happy, healthy teams stay longer.4 Our business health plans give fast, friction-free access to professional care. The result? Improved loyalty, lower turnover, and consistent service delivery.
24/7 access to healthcare
Your teams deserve care without delays. Our health plans offer 24/7 GP and mental health access - anytime, anywhere. No referrals or long waits. Fast support when it matters most.
How our health plans work for Housing Associations
Three simple steps to deliver scalable employee wellbeing solutions across your Housing Association.
Three flexible health plans designed for housing associations
Simply Essentials
Our annual digital healthcare subscription gives fast, affordable access to essential health services. Any time. Anywhere.
24/7 GP and nurse appointments
24/7 mental health support
24/7 life advice helpline
Digital muscle and joint pain assessments.
Simply Essentials is provided by Simplyhealth Guidance and is not an insurance product regulated by the FCA.
Simply Health Plan
Our comprehensive health plan includes claimable benefit pots (up to annual limits) towards everyday healthcare.
Everything included in Simply Essentials, plus:
Employees can claim back towards everyday health essentials such as dental, physio and prescription eyewear.
Simply Health Plan is an insurance product regulated by the FCA.
Simply Dental Plan
Our digital-first dental insurance plan is designed to keep your workforce smiling and productive.
Money back towards check-ups, hygienist appointments, X-rays, complex treatments and more
Worldwide emergency cover with a 24-hour helpline for peace of mind.
Simply Dental Plan is an insurance product regulated by the FCA.
Terms and conditions apply to all plans.
Some of these services are provided by third party providers.
On-demand healthcare all in one place
All plans include access to a wide range of discounted and self-pay health and wellbeing services. Including discounted scans, up to 20% of prescription eyewear and lenses* costs, convenient health test kits and more.
Key benefits
Trusted providers. Every service is vetted by Simplyhealth
Staff pay for what they need, only when they need it
All in one place. Staff can browse, book, and pay through our easy-to-use SimplyPlan app
Supports overall wellbeing. From mental health to physiotherapy and more.
*Contact lenses are not included
Why is employee health cover important for housing associations?
Trusted by thousands of leading organisations
Join over 7,000 UK employers who trust Simplyhealth to keep their people healthy and their organisations thriving.
Why housing providers choose Simplyhealth
We've been helping people access quality healthcare for over 150 years – even before the NHS. Our plans focus on early intervention, preventing issues before they escalate into long-term sickness.
Simple to use: Everything in one place
Positive impact of support: Every £1 invested in employee mental health and wellbeing support returns £4.70.11
Boost productivity: 47% of employers see increased productivity when employees’ health and wellbeing is supported.12
94% of patients
rated their GP experience as Very Good or Good.
(Jan-Sept 2025)
More than 76% patients
had their concern managed within their appointment, without the need for any onward referrals or care.
(HealthHero Data Analytics – September 2025)
97% of dental calls
answered within
48 seconds.
(July – Sept 2025)
Trusted by organisations like yours
Our experience with Simplyhealth has been outstanding. They’ve been more than just a provider; they’re a true partner in supporting our people. The platform is intuitive, the customer service is excellent, and the impact on our staff has been clear. We particularly appreciate the MI data, which help us track usage, identify trends and make informed decision about employee’s wellbeing. Having access to this level of insight allows us to continuously improve our support and ensure our benefits are making a real difference.
- Joanne Stainby, Head of HR, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, October 2025
Ready to support wellbeing across your Housing Association?
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your housing association health plan options.
Some of these services are provided by third party providers.
Frequently asked questions
What is employee health cover for housing associations?
Employee health cover for housing associations is a simple, scalable solution designed to support the likes of repairs operatives, neighbourhood officers, customer contact staff and office teams. Our business health plans provide affordable access to everyday healthcare, mental wellbeing support and preventative services. Helping cut absence, maintain service continuity and meet regulatory requirements.
Why should businesses offer employee health cover?
Offering employee health cover can help businesses attract and retain talent, improve productivity and foster a positive workplace culture. It can support employee wellbeing by providing timely access to medical care and mental health services, reducing absenteeism and building resilience. Ultimately, investing in health benefits helps create a healthier, more engaged and loyal workforce, which benefits both employees and the business.
Please note that mental health services are not included in the Simply Dental Plan, except for access to a 24/7 helpline specifically designed to support dental anxiety.
Can we tailor the plan for different staff groups?
Yes. Our plans are flexible, and some can be tailored to cover a mixed workforce, including tradespeople, customer-facing teams, and management. All while still being managed centrally for simplicity.
Bespoke agreements are available for businesses with 250+ employees.
How much does an employee health plan typically cost?
Costs vary by the number of employees being covered and the plan selected. Get your business health plan quote today in minutes. Start a quote
How do employee healthcare plans help with retention and recruitment?
Yes. Our reporting dashboards help you meet the requirements for The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) and board narratives, making it easy to demonstrate return on investment and compliance.
Can the plan help with high absence levels due to stress or musculoskeletal issues?
Yes. Housing associations frequently see absence trends in these areas. Our business health plans* include 24/7 access to a GP, 24/7 mental health counselling, and digital muscle and joint pain assessments - key support tools for faster recovery.
*Excluding the Simply Dental Plan
Do employees need referrals or pre-authorisation?
No. Employees don’t need referrals or pre-authorisation. They can visit a qualified practitioner, pay for treatment, and claim back towards the costs directly. Online GP, mental health, and physiotherapy support can also be accessed without the need for a referral.
The practitioner must be appropriately registered, and some benefits may have exclusions or qualifying periods before claims can be made.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
Yes. Unlike traditional private medical insurance, Simplyhealth offers business health benefits that cover pre-existing conditions*, focus on prevention and early treatment, whilst offering a cost-effective way to keep your workforce healthy and productive.
Please note: The Simply Dental Plan does not cover:
Treatment for dental accidents occurring before the policy start date
Mouth cancer already diagnosed or for which the individual is undergoing tests, either before or during the qualifying period, even if diagnosed after
Please read the full terms and conditions.
The New Child Payment benefit under the Simply Health Plan has a 6‑month qualifying period before claims can be made.
Simply Essentials Plan is not an insurance product.
Can we include mental health support?
Absolutely. Our plans* give staff direct access to a qualified counsellor on the phone whenever they need support, plus a 24/7 life advice helpline to support with life’s challenges. Beyond this, all plans include access to pay as you go and discounted health and wellbeing services such as open-ended digital therapy and mental health coaching - so your team can get the right help, at the right time.
*Excluding our Simply Dental Plan.
References
www.cih.org/media/zqpb5xmw/cih-cymru-sector-snapshot-2024.pdf
Absence rises: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/index.htm Service quality suffers: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tenant-satisfaction-measures-202425/tenant-satisfaction-measures-202425-headline-report
www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2025/10/the-sharp-end-of-the-housing-crisis
www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2025/10/the-sharp-end-of-the-housing-crisis
£3.3 billion lost to MSK each year. Simplyhealth estimations based on:
ONS, 2022, Employee earnings in the UK: 2022 https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/bulletins/annualsurveyofhoursandearnings/2022 (Median annual salary: £33k)
ONS, 2022, Sickness absence in the UK labour market: 2022, Table 4 , Number of days lost through sickness absence by reason
(Days lost to MSK: 23.4 million)
Calculation: Daily rate calculated from Median salary. Daily rate assumed to be 230 days, based on a full-time employee working 5 days a week and 52 weeks in a year, less 22 days annual leave & 8 public holidays).
Cost = Daily rate x No of sickness days lost per year
Cost per employee per year = £143.48 x 23.4 million = £3,357,391,304
30 million days lost to MSK each year www.england.nhs.uk/elective-care/best-practice-solutions/musculoskeletal/
www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2025/10/the-sharp-end-of-the-housing-crisis