Health as a performance driver: How REGINA MARIA medical subscriptions strengthen prevention in Romania’s automotive workforce (P)

Automotive sector has always been a trend setter, and the same is happening when we speak about medical benefits. Companies in the sector have become some of the strongest adopters of preventive care, mental health programs and onsite medical support. More than 70% of automotive companies recognized at the Automotive by The Diplomat Gala are also Regina Maria partners.

Regina Maria – The Private Healthcare Network released a new analysis that highlights how Romania’s automotive industry approaches employee health.

Employees with medical subscriptions access health services almost 3× more.

The data reveals  that although the majority of the workers are in factories, the average consumption is significantly higher compared with non subscribers – a striking difference in health engagement based on medical coverage:

• 6 visits/year – average for an automotive employee with a Regina Maria subscription
• 7 visits/year – average for a general Regina Maria subscriber
• 2.5 visits/year – average for a non-subscriber

Higher access to medical support translates into earlier detection of chronic conditions, fewer complications, and more efficient management of workforce health, a dynamic that also generates measurable cost savings at individual level, with automotive employees holding a REGINA MARIA medical subscription saving an average of RON 3,150 per year through preventive care and timely medical investigations.

Occupational medicine: a strategic asset for automotive employers

Occupational medicine reports highlight recurring risks across the industry:

• musculoskeletal disorders
• eye strain
• nutritional and metabolic concerns
• sleep issues
• hearing loss
• mental health challenges

These findings underline why occupational medicine is no longer a compliance requirement, but a core component of workforce performance and safety.

Companies increasingly invest in targeted prevention programs, screening campaigns, ergonomics trainings and fatigue management initiatives, a trend likely to accelerate given the sector’s operational intensity and safety-sensitive roles.

“In the automotive sector, we are witnessing an increasing interest in medical benefits, but there’s still room to grow. Looking at the Top 20 companies, 16 of them provide medical benefits. These numbers show a clear trend: companies that prioritize preventive healthcare are connecting workforce wellbeing directly with performance, safety, and employer reputation. We’re very proud that 11 of Top 20 Automotive companies are Regina Maria partners” says Georgiana Andrei, Commercial Director Subscriptions Division, Regina Maria.

Mental health moves to the frontline of automotive workforce strategy

One of the most significant shifts in the benchmark is the growing focus on mental health and psychoeducation across automotive companies. From stress management workshops to counseling services, or Pshichotherapist on call, employers recognise that emotional balance directly impacts safety, productivity and retention. 30% of companies in REGINA MARIA’s portfolio cover psichotherapy sessions for their employees.

This direction aligns with broader global trends and with Regina Maria’s own integrated wellbeing philosophy: Wellbeing is no longer a “benefit”, it is a business strategy that directly influences retention, performance and employer reputation. Sustainable performance requires balance between mind, body and meaning. Psychology must become a shared language in organizations, enabling empathetic leadership and psychological safety,  foundations for innovation.

Through the „One Health” model, Regina Maria integrates medical prevention, psychological support, dental services and educational programs into one ecosystem tailored to company needs.

Healthier employees, stronger companies

Over the last three years, around 50% of automotive employees received upgraded medical benefits, with premium packages now covering 80–85% of employee medical needs.

The trend that we observed over the past years was that companies invested more in driving a preventive behaviour for their employees, and they have been doing that through offering more services than the classical Occupational Helalth on site – latest trend is bringing the dentist on site for profilaxy or even treatments.

Romania falls short in prevention and this does not spare the automotive sector. This is the reason why the automotive sector has been investing in creating healthy habits – starting with cancer screening campaingns that literally save lifes, to wellbeing campaigns such as: Ergonomics, nutrition, healthy lifestyle.

Companies also invest in:

• onsite clinics
• workplace ergonomics
• dental health programs
• nutrition initiatives
• cancer screening campaigns

Among these initiatives, onsite medical clinics have emerged as a particularly effective prevention tool for large automotive employers. Companies with over 1,000 employees increasingly opt for dedicated medical offices located directly on site, designed to increase access to care and actively encourage preventive check-ups and routine testing. This approach is already widely adopted across the sector, with 17 of the top 20 automotive companies in Romania, as ranked by Ziarul Financiar, operating onsite medical facilities.

Automotive employers increasingly understand that health initiatives are more cost-effective than absenteeism, burnout or turnover.

“If a few years ago, increasing the usage of medical services was our main focus in the automotive sector, today we see that, across our portfolio of nearly 100,000 automotive employees, the access rate consistently exceeds 50%. Of course, this rate can fluctuate and is influenced by factors such as the maturity of the benefits, the presence of an onsite clinic, and whether screening or educational campaigns are conducted. The growth in service utilization is in line with broader market trends, reflecting the growing interest among Romanians in preventive healthcare,” says Georgiana Andrei, Commercial Director, Regina Maria.

A sector leading the way in employee wellbeing

As Romania continues to strengthen its position in the European automotive landscape, the industry’s approach to workforce health becomes a competitive differentiator. The Regina Maria benchmark shows an industry that is ahead of the curve, building systems that protect employees, optimize operations and reinforce employer brands.

For companies managing thousands of employees across complex industrial environments, the message is clear: a healthy workforce is not only a moral commitment, but a business imperative.