Health insurance

The power of collective health insurance

The battle for talent is bigger than ever. In this tight labor market, a good salary alone is no longer enough. Employees are looking for security, support and real attention to their health and well-being. That is precisely where the power of collective health insurance lies.

Femke Baeten

Manager Collective Health Insurance

Date 10-07-2025

Collective Care Schouten Zekerheid

Why a collective care contract is the strategic HR tool of the future 

With a healthcare collective you show as an employer that you are investing in your employees. You not only offer an attractive employment condition, but actively contribute to vitality, loyalty and sustainable employability. In collaboration met Schouten Zekerheid , you make care and prevention a tangible part of your HR policy.

 

What is group health insurance? 

A health care collective is an agreement between employer and health insurer whereby employees can voluntarily participate in comprehensive health insurance. They benefit from premium discounts, broader coverage (such as physiotherapy and mental health care), extra budgets for prevention and health examinations and faster access to care. Thanks to Schouten Zekerheid 's personal support through the care desk and customer portal, employees experience real added value. 

 

As an employer, you offer your employees the opportunity to participate in a group health insurance plan. There are no costs for you in offering the collective. Although you are not obliged to contribute to the premium, a financial contribution can create extra value: it reinforces employee appreciation and shows that you actively support their health and vitality.  

 

Why a collective care contract is essential for your organization 

Group health insurance offers employers several strategic advantages. It strengthens your position on the labor market, increases your appeal as an employer and contributes to the retention of talent. By making healthcare more accessible, you help reduce the mental and financial strain on employees, which directly contributes to less absenteeism and better employability. Organizations that actively engage in prevention through a care collective see up to 20% less absenteeism. 

 

In addition, a healthy work environment increases productivity. Employees' performance improves and they are more engaged in their work. A collective also provides faster access to care, allowing employees to recover faster and return to work. At the same time, as an employer you demonstrate your corporate social responsibility by making a structural contribution to the health and well-being of your people. A win-win for both employee and organization. 

 

The widening of the Work Expense Schedule 

With the widening of the free space within the Work Costs Regulation (WKR) in 2025, collective health insurance also offers tax advantages. As an employer, you can reimburse premium contributions untaxed and facilitate preventive care, such as medical examinations, coaching or fitness, in a fiscally attractive way. This makes vitality a structural part of your HR and remuneration policy. 

 

The need for prevention 

More and more employees are combining work with care responsibilities, experiencing mental pressure or struggling with physical complaints. As an employer, you can make a difference here. 

With group health insurance, you offer targeted support to your employees. Think of additional reimbursements for caregiver support, themes such as women's health or preventive programs around mental vitality. 

 

Workers also often get access to quick interventions such as physical therapy or coaching. This helps them stay balanced and prevents long-term downtime. 

 

Healthy employees, healthy organization 

The more employees participate, the greater the collective impact. A well-designed healthcare collective contributes to lower absenteeism costs, higher productivity and a stronger sense of belonging within your organization. 

 

Employees appreciate it when their health and well-being are taken seriously. That translates into more job satisfaction, higher employee satisfaction and more loyalty. Especially in a tight labor market, this can make all the difference in attracting and retaining talent. 

In addition, group health insurance often offers extras that really matter: faster access to care, physical therapy reimbursements, mental support, lifestyle coaching or programs around topics such as stress, informal care or women's health. 

 

By intervening early with preventive care or rapid interventions, complaints can be resolved faster, even before they lead to long-term disability. This not only saves costs, but also contributes to the sustainable employability of your employees. 

 

Wondering what this could mean for your organization? 

Group health insurance has long since ceased to be a perk. It is a powerful and strategic HR tool that contributes to employee health, engagement and productivity. 


By actively investing in care and well-being as an employer, you show that you have an eye for the needs of your people. This ensures not only greater satisfaction and loyalty, but also less absenteeism and better performance. 

 

A healthy organization starts with healthy employees. 

 

Join our free online knowledge session where our specialists will tell you how group health insurance can prevent absenteeism problems.

Femke foto-3

Discover how group health insurance strengthens your organization!

Read on and schedule a no-obligation consultation. 

News & inspiration

Explore our blogs for insights, events, white papers, and success stories

Success
Pension

43 years of building Schouten Zekerheid

After 47 years, figurehead Eric Kreft is leaving Schouten Zekerheid. His vision, legacy and the success of Affinity Groups in one story.

Continued payment of wages during illness - Cleaning Sector Netherlands Insurances
CleaningNL Insurances

Continued payment of wages during illness - SMNL

As an employer in the cleaning industry, you know how significant the impact of absenteeism due to illness can be. Employers are obligated to continue paying 100% of employees' wages for two years in the event of incapacity for work. This makes absenteeism due to illness one of the biggest financial risks for cleaning companies.

Employer branding

Marieke van Rhoon on leadership with impact

Marieke van Rhoon (30) grew up in Maasdam, but soon exchanged the village for the city. "The Hoeksche Waard was just a bit too quiet for me," she says with a smile. She now enjoys living in the center of Rotterdam. "Central, lively, yet surprisingly calm – the perfect combination." Outside of work, she can be found on a terrace, preferably with a good glass of wine and a view of the water. "Enjoying life is also part of it."

Health insurance

Informal care in the workplace: the silent force that deserves attention

Informal care is no longer an exception, but a reality for 1 in 4 employees. By consciously and proactively responding to this as HR, you make the difference.

General

New partnership: transparent healthcare for pets

Discover how our collaboration with Marengo Pet Care leads to a groundbreaking pet insurance that covers all costs and is transparent.