Insurance Companies Are Conducting Audits At Office Cafeterias To Reduce Health-Related Claims

Food poisoning seems to be a rather common ailment, so much so, that insurance companies are conducting audits at workplace cafeterias. They’re also suggesting changes to be made in an effort to reduce claims related to gastroenteritis, colitis and heart-related ailments under group mediclaim policies.

The health insurance sector is growing at around 20% and has seen a rise in claims for workplace-related health issues. Earlier, ICICI Lombard had conducted an audit in a company where an employee had suffered a heart attack, and had discovered that the oxygen levels were low.

“We have carried out audits of workplaces and found that the particulate matter was high and oxygen levels poor, leading to higher instance of respiratory and heart-related ailments,” said Amitabh Jain, head of motor and health – underwriting at ICICI Lombard General Insurance. “We propose certain changes in the office upkeep and ventilation in such instances.”

“Our analysis of claim trends shows that over 8% of employee claims are from digestive disorders, and the average claim in this disease category is around Rs 42,000,” said Prawal Kalita, director-benefit solutions, JLT Independent Insurance Brokers. For offices where people work in shifts, especially IT and ITeS companies, insurers focus on training cafeteria staff, especially on storage techniques, servicing skills and hygiene standards. Companies then take corrective measures to ensure the wellness of employees.