CommInsure has won the first ever Swiss Re-ALUCA Excellence and Innovation in Rehabilitation Award.
The Award, which recognises organisations that strive to optimise health and return to work outcomes for customers, was presented during Swiss Re’s 150th Anniversary event, held in Sydney this month. CommInsure took out the inaugural Award, ahead of finalists AIA and MLC who each presented unique approaches to the provision of rehabilitation services.
CommInsure’s winning submission was produced by Julie-Ann MacCormick and Lisa Parsons, and highlighted the importance of post-claim rehabilitation support for claimants with mental illness.
In 2013, CommInsure conducted a trial in which it extended rehabilitation support to mental health claimants beyond the life of the claim. In their submission, Ms MacCormick and Ms Parsons explained that the trial had yielded extremely extremely encouraging results, including significant claims savings from reduced claim durations and a reduction in recurrent claims.
…claimants were very receptive to the offer of ongoing rehabilitation support
‘Anecdotally claimants were very receptive to the offer of ongoing rehabilitation support. The trial group achieved improved return to work outcomes with greater job retention. Better long term management of their illness through ongoing rehabilitation support reduced the risk of relapse,’ the submission noted.
CommInsure said it will now be introducing the trialled approach as standard claims management practice for mental illness claims.
Mark Senkevics, Head of Swiss Re Australia and New Zealand, congratulated CommInsure on their initiative.
“CommInsure’s submission encourages our industry to adopt a proactive approach to supporting recovery from mental illness and to help reduce the impacts that may result – such as loss of employment or illness relapse. We look forward to a continued partnership with ALUCA to promote initiatives and innovation in claims rehabilitation into the future,” Mr Senkevics said.
