Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions affect muscles, bones and joints, and sometimes associated tissues such as nerves. According to the NHS, more than 20 million people in the UK — that’s a third of the population — have an MSK condition, such as arthritis or back pain. So, it’s important as an employer to understand how Health Insurance covers MSK when offering Group Health Insurance to your staff. Is MSK covered by my Health Insurance policy?Poor MSK health has a huge impact on people, employers, the NHS and the wider economy, so the question "Does Health Insurance cover MSK?" is often on the minds of employers when considering Group Health Insurance plans. The answer is yes, in most instances, with the exception of chronic conditions such as arthritis, which have no known cure.YuLife’s partnership with Bupa offers Group Health Insurance that gives your employees access to a team of physicians, physiotherapists, osteopaths and podiatrists who are experts in muscles, bones and joints.In addition, Bupa’s Direct Access service enables your people to discuss their symptoms directly with Bupa specialists, bypassing the need for a GP referral, so they can quickly access the appropriate diagnostics and treatment options. Does Health Insurance cover MSK treatment?As long as your employee’s MSK condition is covered by your Health Insurance policy, there are a range of available treatment options, including: Physiotherapy and sports and exercise medicine: For post-surgery rehabilitation or advice on avoiding sports injuries, physiotherapists can get your employees back to feeling like themselves again. Treatment plans can include exercise therapy, tapping and acupuncture.Osteopathy: using a range of techniques to restore balance, osteopaths can ease tense muscles, improve blood and nerve supply to tissues in the body, and advise on posture and exercise to aid recovery.Podiatry: specialising in injuries and disorders that affect the foot, ankle, calf and shin, podiatrists can assess your footwear and analyse your gait before discussing treatment options.What’s the difference between inpatient and outpatient care?Health Insurance offers different levels of cover for inpatient and outpatient care. Most Health Insurance policies cover inpatient care, but some cover limits how much you can claim each year for outpatient care. Inpatient means that you’re admitted to hospital for treatment, and you stay overnight. Inpatient care covers:Diagnostic tests, such as blood tests or scansFees for surgeons, doctors, or other specialistsFees for the treatment itself, including any medicines you needYour stay in hospital and any care you need while you’re thereOutpatient means you’re not admitted to hospital for the day, and you don’t stay overnight. Outpatient care covers:X-rays, blood tests and ultrasounds you have when you’re not staying in hospitalPhysiotherapy and other therapy sessionsConsultations with specialistsOutpatient MRI, CT and PET scansYuLife’s partnership with Bupa offers 4 levels of cover, ranging from a £500 a year allowance for outpatient care at Level 1 to unlimited at Level 4, so you can select the option that suits your business’ needs.Are there exclusions to Bupa's MSK cover?If someone on your team already has an MSK condition, they will no doubt have concerns about their eligibility and it’s important that you help them understand their coverage options. Bupa does not cover conditions that an employee had before an employer obtained their Health Insurance policy. For example, if an employee injured their shoulder in March and you took out Group Health Insurance in June, that shoulder injury would not be covered.Bupa also doesn’t provide cover for chronic conditions — ongoing conditions with no known cure — such as arthritis. Some policies do cover flare-ups of long-term conditions, though, and there are sometimes other exceptions to these rules, so it’s important to discuss this with your policy provider. In addition, YuLife x Bupa does not cover treatments that lack sufficient evidence, with the exception of treatments that are part of a clinical trial and have been reviewed and approved by Bupa. As an employer, it’s very important that you clearly communicate these exclusions to your team to avoid any confusion.In conclusionDoes Health Insurance cover MSK? The answer is, yes, with the exception of pre-existing or chronic conditions. And choosing a policy with YuLife through our partnership with Bupa means you can offer your team essential support for a range of issues. About YuLifeYuLife is working to reimagine the insurance industry by protecting lives, rewarding living and inspiring life. We’re on a mission to transform traditional insurance into a life-enhancing experience each employee will value and use daily. How does it work?Our award-winning app uses behavioural science and game mechanics to reward your people for living well while offering protection in case of crisis. And with our top-rated employee assistance programme, your team gets access to mental, financial and social support, virtual GPs, nutritionists, life coaches and more to help them live their best lives.Because we believe that your employees should benefit from their insurance from day one — and that wellbeing should be accessible every day, for everyone.Request a demo for your team today.