In the life insurance sector, rehabilitation procedures aim to restore claimants to their maximal physical, psychological, social and vocational capacity. When appropriately executed, the process can help individuals return to wellness as quickly and as safely as possible.
As noted in an earlier blog post, rehabilitation in the life insurance sector is optional. This calls for relationship building and constant communication between all stakeholders to ensure that programs run smoothly. Services focus on achieving the best possible outcomes and nurturing claimants to wellness and eventually to suitable work.
Rehabilitation processes are generally focused on helping claimants return to health and wellness. Key rehabilitation interventions include;
Early Intervention Programs
Early intervention does not always mean getting the individual back to work early. It’s about providing support to the claimant as soon as possible after the injury or illness and demonstrating a commitment to their return to wellness. Commencing rehabilitation, as quickly as possible can reduce the economic and human costs associated with incapacitating injuries and illnesses.
Pilot Programs that are policy specific
Pilot programs are developed and implemented to rehabilitate and return claimants to normality. Generally, the procedures aim to drive positive outcomes and align with the insurer’s claims strategies and policies. Alternate approaches can be integrated into pilot programs to improve the efficiency of the rehabilitation process.
Functional Capacity Evaluation
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) allows for an objective analysis of an individual’s physical capabilities and limitations. Rehabilitation providers oftentimes also assess the individual’s ability to perform the activities of daily living that support work performance.
Basically, FCEs evaluate the claimant’s physical strength, cardiovascular fitness, postural tolerance, and safe manual handling, and the results can direct the rehabilitation process.
Psychological FCEs
Psychological assessments are used to determine an individual’s cognitive and emotional functioning and evaluate one’s behaviour, personality and related domains. The process also involves evaluating the functional impairment of a client’s memory, problem-solving ability, learning capacity and tolerance for multiple demands typical of a modern workplace.
Psychologists analyse the symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress, phobia and other forms of anxiety and recommend personalised strategies to guide treatment and improve overall wellbeing.
Vocational Assessments
A Vocational Assessment allows for analysis of vocational options and includes a review of a claimant’s pre-disability work and earning capacity and a claimant’s potential for future employment. Functional capacity evaluations, job skills and work experience are reviewed to identify and recommend vocational goals to claimants. A level of consideration should also be given to re-training options to maximise employment potential.
Job Seeking Support
Rehabilitation programs are tailored to offer comprehensive and supported rehabilitation services through all phases of job seeking. Claimants are provided with support from their initial meeting with a Rehabilitation Consultant through to securing a new job and transitioning into their new employment. Additionally, insurers can also facilitate ongoing monitoring to ensure durability in the new role.
Strength and Conditioning
Strength and conditioning support is incorporated into the rehabilitation program to fast track claimants to wellness and appropriate, sustainable work. The process centres around building muscular strength and endurance, improving posture, cardiovascular fitness and safe lifting techniques. Assessments are conducted throughout conditioning programs to determine the success of the rehabilitation process and the claimant’s readiness for self-management.
Find out more on Life Insurance Services
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Disclaimer – these articles are provided to supply general safety information to people responsible for OHS in their organisation. They are general in nature and do not substitute for legal and/or professional advice. We always suggest that organisations obtain information specific to their needs. Additional information can be found at https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/