Integrating Absence Management Programs Helps Reduce Costs and Improve Productivity
November 01 2011 - 2:12PM
Business Wire
A recent analysis conducted by Aetna (NYSE: AET) shows that
an integrated approach to managing leave and disability claims
helps employees return to work faster and helps reduce
absence-related productivity costs. Aetna’s Integrated Absence
Management Model handles Short Term Disability (STD), Long Term
Disability (LTD), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Leave of
Absence (LOA) claims under one umbrella.
“By integrating our absence management programs we can more
effectively identify employees for clinical evaluation, helping to
address their health needs earlier so they may return to work
faster,” said Dan Fishbein, head of Group Insurance, Dental and
Vision. “No matter what the reason for an employee taking a leave
of absence, Aetna works directly with the member to discuss his or
her treatment plan and help get them connected to the support they
may need. We also work side-by-side with the employer to address
accommodations that may help when the employee does return back to
work.”
Aetna’s 2010 analysis illustrates that when an integrated leave
program is used, employers may reduce average claim costs about
$1,074 per claim and get employees back to work an average of about
4.72 days sooner. The analysis was based on 2010 data comparing
Aetna customers with integrated absence management to those without
integrated absence management. The results of the analysis
represent the experience of multiple employers, individual employer
results will vary.
Aetna’s absence model capitalizes on the following features to
help improve the member’s experience:
- Single point of contact to help members
and employers through the administrative aspects of claims
- Comprehensive clinical models and
return to work strategies
- Holistic management with compliance and
insurance guidelines
- Integrated communications to all
affected parties, including status changes
- A team of dedicated doctors, registered
nurses and rehabilitation specialists provide personalized case
management
Integrating disability and leave of absence claims through one
channel helps members focus on what’s important – getting better
and preventing lost wages.
To help simplify the management process for employers, Aetna’s
core model includes a variety of plan design options, service
features and system capabilities. Additional services consist of
customized claims intake, case management and reporting, along with
modified communications and correspondence to employees.
Aetna’s flexible and easy-to-use disability and absence
management services focus on:
- An effective clinical approach that
drives earlier outreach and intervention
- Achieving better health outcomes which
may ultimately increase productivity
- Streamlined and consistent claims
decisions and payments
- Easy claim intake via telephone, fax or
e-mail
Aetna also offers both employers and employees 24-hour access
to WorkAbility®, an industry-leading claim and absence
management system. This on-demand, self service tool makes it easy
for employees to request and update their time off from work. The
system also includes tracking and reporting tools to help employers
promote higher productivity and better manage staffing and work
processes.
"Our Plan Sponsors appreciate our active use of claim
notification because it enhances their awareness of employee
absenteeism, limits efficiency concerns and helps them manage
operational expenses,” said Catherine Liston, head of Disability
Benefits Management for Aetna. “Our integrated model also
encourages program compliance to reduce unreported and
underreported claims from the first date of absence, which may lead
to shorter claim durations.”
Aetna provides a core offering of quality disability insurance
products and services that can be offered stand-alone, or in any
combination. Visit Aetna.com for more information.
About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care
benefits companies, serving approximately 36.3 million people with
information and resources to help them make better informed
decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of
traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance
products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental,
behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical
management capabilities and health care management services for
Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals,
college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans,
governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and
expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com.
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