Sun Financial Life, an international wealth management and insurance company, and the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), a non-profit benefits research organization located in San Francisco, states that employers who intervene soon after employees are first disabled can help them return to work faster and happier, while cutting disability-related costs.
An IBI study of Steelcase, a Michigan manufacturer of office furniture, showed that worker satisfaction shot up 48 percent from 1997 to 2001 after the company introduced a disability management program that integrated aspects of workers compensation, short and long term disability, and the federal Family Medical Leave Act.
Employers who move quickly to communicate with and accommodate their disabled workers can help them return to work 20 percent faster, according to Sun Life's study, “Early Intervention Programs Can Speed Disabled Employees Back to Work.”
The reason Steelcase decided to try a program like this was because many employees were confused by traditional, disjointed employee benefits. Often, employees didn’t know who to call or who to turn to, resulting in employees feeling like they weren’t getting good service. In addition to the program, Steelcase also implemented an early return-to-work component for employees.
The Sun Life Return-to-Work StudyThe Sun Life return-to-work study tracked the outcome of nearly 1,000, non-maternity, short-term disability claims. The claims were then divided into 2 groups – those who received early intervention disability, and those who did not. Available services included:
· Claimant and physician coaching about return-to-work expectations
· Employer education on disability issues
· Identification of viable job alternatives, including light duty positions
· Job site modifications to accommodate disabled workers
· Medical intervention to ensure the employee was receiving appropriate medical care
· Three-way coordination and communication between the employer, employee, and physician
· Vocational counseling
Those who received early intervention worked with their employers and physicians to develop return-to-work plans and set expected return-to-work dates that were the earliest recovery date (to be determined by the physician or medical disability advisor). The final outcomes were compared, including the date the employee returned to work, whether it was full- or part-time, and if the claim transitioned into the long-term disability stage.
The study showed that the early intervention services yielded a high success rate in returning disable employees to work. Among the findings:
· On average, employees receiving early intervention services returned to work 2.7 weeks sooner, saving the employer approximately $810 per claim
· 47 percent more employees returned to work during the short term disability states with early intervention
· 33 percent fewer claims extended into the long-term disability stage with early intervention
Services Make All the Difference“Nine times out of 10, disabled workers stay out on disability longer than they have to — or don't return at all — due to employment problems rather than their medical problems,” says an official from John Hewitt & Associates Inc., a disability risk management and consulting firm with headquarters in Portland, Maine. “Usually it isn't the disability that prevents them from returning to work, but all kinds of extraneous job issues,” notes the official. “Maybe the company has just been sold, or the worker just got a new boss, or the worker's duties are changing and the employer hasn't put any kind of support mechanism in place. If the employer doesn't recognize that the disabled worker has value and they aren’t communicating this idea directly to the worker, then the employer risks losing that employee.”
Sun Life concluded that early intervention in short term disability cases can overcome two main barriers:
· Psychological: The disabled employee hasn't mentally adjusted to not working; nor have they adjusted to their new lifestyle without work.
· Work: A close relationship still exists between the employer and employee, and everyone remains focused on recovery and return to work. Before long, an employee can quickly become “out of sight, out of mind.”
Real Savings “Employers who ignore the importance of early intervention risk higher absenteeism, higher staffing costs, and lower productivity,” says Sun Life. “Conversely, employers that implement early intervention programs can reap real savings.” In the long run, employers that don’t pay attention to potential rewards of return-to-work programs will pay a higher price than those that actually do use the programs.
According to a Sun Life’s study, with an average company of 10,000 employees, 600 employees can expect to receive short-term disability benefits in any given year. If just 10% of these employees receive early intervention services, that may mean an annual savings of $48,000 per year. This is based on a $300 weekly, short-term disability benefit payment that is multiplied by the shorter average disability duration of 2.7 weeks.
These findings complement those discovered by Watson-Wyatt Worldwide and the Washington Business Group on Health in their fourth annual survey report for 1999/2000 called “Staying@Work.” The study examined 178 major companies with an average of 13,500 workers and found that those which implement short term disability claim management activities — such as independent medical exams, behavioral health interventions, case management, and transitional return-to-work programs — reported savings between 18 percent and 19 percent.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Single? Don't Overlook Disability Insurance
The sun finally comes out and you decide to take a motorcycle ride. When the corner comes up a little too fast, you slip on sand, crash, and break your arm. Your health insurance will cover your medical bills, but you're worried about the weeks of lost income that stretch ahead. Even if you don't own a motorcycle, your chances of becoming disabled are great. In any given year, one out of every eight people will suffer a disability of some kind, from auto accident injuries to common back problems. And if you're single, without anyone else's income to rely on when you can't work, disability can mean financial disaster. Unless you have disability insurance, that is.
What coverage do you have? If you're working, you may have group disability coverage through your employer. Many employers offer short-term coverage that pays disability benefits for a limited period of time, from a few days or up to a year (sometimes two). Some employers also offer long-term coverage that has a two- to three-month waiting period, but then pays benefits until you are age 65. In either case, if you're lucky, your employer may pay all or part of the premium cost. If you aren't sure exactly what coverage you have, check your employee benefits book or contact your human resources department. If you haven't already enrolled in the disability plan, find out how soon you can get covered. You may also be eligible for disability benefits through Social Security, workers' compensation (only if it's a work-related illness or injury), or another government program. But it's wise not to totally rely on these programs for protection. Each program has its own set of usually strict limitations and restrictions regarding eligibility and benefits paid. If the disability coverage you have doesn't adequately meet your needs, consider buying an individual disability income insurance policy. Because policies come in all shapes and sizes, you can buy coverage tailored to your needs and your budget. Shop around and get quotes from several different insurers. Unlike insurance provided by your employer, benefits paid by an individual policy are received free of income taxes.
What coverage do you need? Your disability coverage won't replace all of your income, but it should offer sufficient benefits to allow you to maintain your current standard of living, taking into account both your needs and other sources of income available to you. Most group and individual disability policies will replace between 50 and 70 percent of your income when you can't work. That may be enough, when combined with the cash in your emergency fund, to keep you afloat financially until you get back on your feet. Ask your insurance agent to help you determine the level of coverage you should have.
What coverage do you have? If you're working, you may have group disability coverage through your employer. Many employers offer short-term coverage that pays disability benefits for a limited period of time, from a few days or up to a year (sometimes two). Some employers also offer long-term coverage that has a two- to three-month waiting period, but then pays benefits until you are age 65. In either case, if you're lucky, your employer may pay all or part of the premium cost. If you aren't sure exactly what coverage you have, check your employee benefits book or contact your human resources department. If you haven't already enrolled in the disability plan, find out how soon you can get covered. You may also be eligible for disability benefits through Social Security, workers' compensation (only if it's a work-related illness or injury), or another government program. But it's wise not to totally rely on these programs for protection. Each program has its own set of usually strict limitations and restrictions regarding eligibility and benefits paid. If the disability coverage you have doesn't adequately meet your needs, consider buying an individual disability income insurance policy. Because policies come in all shapes and sizes, you can buy coverage tailored to your needs and your budget. Shop around and get quotes from several different insurers. Unlike insurance provided by your employer, benefits paid by an individual policy are received free of income taxes.
What coverage do you need? Your disability coverage won't replace all of your income, but it should offer sufficient benefits to allow you to maintain your current standard of living, taking into account both your needs and other sources of income available to you. Most group and individual disability policies will replace between 50 and 70 percent of your income when you can't work. That may be enough, when combined with the cash in your emergency fund, to keep you afloat financially until you get back on your feet. Ask your insurance agent to help you determine the level of coverage you should have.
Lack of Dental Benefits for Low-Income Children is a Serious Problem
A striking disparity in dental disease based on income can be seen within low-income children versus children who come from more affluent families. In this country, children, minorities and the elderly are said to have the worst oral health, due in part to a lack of dental insurance. In fact, about 108 million Americans do not have dental insurance, according to “The Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health.”
Recent research findings have linked oral health infections to diabetes, heart and lung disease, stroke and low-birth-weight babies. In the long run, serious dental problems in children can lead to lack of self-esteem, long term stress and depression, and may also interfere with normal, everyday functions, such as eating, breathing, swallowing and speaking.
Tooth DecayTooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood illness. Children in families living below the poverty levels ($18,850 being the annual income for a family of four), have more severe and untreated tooth decay.
Publicly Funded Programs Are Falling BehindReports state that children from low-income families without dental insurance are three times more likely to have dental needs than children with either public or private insurance. Uninsured children are 2.5 times less likely than insured children to receive dental care, and for each child without medical insurance, there are at least 2.6 children without dental insurance. Simply put, having medical insurance with dental benefits greatly influences whether consumers seek dental care.
A new program called The State’s Children’s Health Insurance Program is out in an attempt to get kids covered, and though it increases the number of insured children, many still are left without effective dental insurance. Medicaid has tried to fill the gap in providing dental care to low-income children, but not much progress has been made. Less than one in five Medicaid-covered children received a single dental visit, notes a recent, year-long study.
In addition to low-income children and minorities, the elderly are also at risk, due to the fact that when they retire, Medicare does not cover their dental services.
The Health Insurance Association of America, an industry trade group, says it “recognizes the inexorable link that exists between coverage and increased access to dental services, and good oral health.”
Delta Dental Plans Association is a national network of independently operated not-for-profit dental service corporations that provide dental benefits and community-outreach programs. They say oral diseases are a “silent epidemic”. Dr. Roger C. Smith, chairman of Delta Dental's dental policy committee says, “We have the ability to drastically reduce some of our nation's most common dental diseases, like dental cavities and periodontal disease. Legislators, educators, communities, and providers need to work together to focus on this important issue and continue improving our nation's oral health.”
Recent research findings have linked oral health infections to diabetes, heart and lung disease, stroke and low-birth-weight babies. In the long run, serious dental problems in children can lead to lack of self-esteem, long term stress and depression, and may also interfere with normal, everyday functions, such as eating, breathing, swallowing and speaking.
Tooth DecayTooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood illness. Children in families living below the poverty levels ($18,850 being the annual income for a family of four), have more severe and untreated tooth decay.
Publicly Funded Programs Are Falling BehindReports state that children from low-income families without dental insurance are three times more likely to have dental needs than children with either public or private insurance. Uninsured children are 2.5 times less likely than insured children to receive dental care, and for each child without medical insurance, there are at least 2.6 children without dental insurance. Simply put, having medical insurance with dental benefits greatly influences whether consumers seek dental care.
A new program called The State’s Children’s Health Insurance Program is out in an attempt to get kids covered, and though it increases the number of insured children, many still are left without effective dental insurance. Medicaid has tried to fill the gap in providing dental care to low-income children, but not much progress has been made. Less than one in five Medicaid-covered children received a single dental visit, notes a recent, year-long study.
In addition to low-income children and minorities, the elderly are also at risk, due to the fact that when they retire, Medicare does not cover their dental services.
The Health Insurance Association of America, an industry trade group, says it “recognizes the inexorable link that exists between coverage and increased access to dental services, and good oral health.”
Delta Dental Plans Association is a national network of independently operated not-for-profit dental service corporations that provide dental benefits and community-outreach programs. They say oral diseases are a “silent epidemic”. Dr. Roger C. Smith, chairman of Delta Dental's dental policy committee says, “We have the ability to drastically reduce some of our nation's most common dental diseases, like dental cavities and periodontal disease. Legislators, educators, communities, and providers need to work together to focus on this important issue and continue improving our nation's oral health.”
The A to Zs of Alternative Medicine
Americans are increasingly looking for ways to improve their health and well-being. If you're like others, you may consider your mental and spiritual health to be equally as important as your physical health. Alternative medicine—or nontraditional health care—may meet your needs by caring for both the physical and spiritual aspects of your life.
What is alternative medicine?Alternative medicine is a holistic or whole mind/body approach to health care that complements, rather than competes with, conventional medicine. When diagnosing and treating a patient, an alternative medicine practitioner considers not only the patient's physical health, but his or her mental and spiritual condition as well. Many different alternative treatments exist, including some that are becoming accepted by practitioners of traditional medicine:
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· Acupuncture, which is commonly used for pain relief
· Herbal medicine, including agrimony, which can be used for swelling, indigestion, or muscle tension relief
· Chiropractic techniques—the manipulation and adjustment of the spine and other joints—which are used to relieve pain and associated problems
· Mind/body techniques such as relaxation, visualization, talk therapy, hypnotherapy, yoga, and meditation
Should you use alternative medicine?People who use alternative medicine often believe that good health is not just the absence of disease—it also means being physically, mentally, and spiritually fit. You may decide to use alternative medicine if you believe that:
· It's important to use the best or most promising treatment available, whether conventional or not
· The conventional medicine you are using has been unsatisfactory
· Since no two people are the same—i.e. one person may respond differently to a medication or a treatment than another—a single approach may not work
· Common antibiotics or other prescription drugs may have unknown long-term side effects
· Many of the major causes of disease, including stroke and heart disease, might be prevented or reduced through simple lifestyle changes that include diet, exercise, and stress reduction
· Preventing the cause is better than treating the symptom
· Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and tai chi can promote physical, mental, and spiritual health
What is the difference between conventional and alternative medicine?Conventional and alternative medicines share the same goal—they seek to cure patients. However, they go about treating the patient's symptoms differently. Alternative medicine will often stimulate the body's natural recuperative powers—the immune system—to assist in the healing process. Alternative medicine is more apt to treat with natural substances such as zinc.
Conventional medicine often uses medications that have an immediate impact on the patient's symptoms. These are often manufactured drugs containing synthetic chemicals. The side effects of these medications can be more severe than those of alternative medications.
Alternative medicine often works best when combined with conventional medicine. In some cases, you may have little choice—although alternative medicine may work well over time, your condition may require immediate treatment, and more conventional methods of medicine may be your only option.
Is alternative medicine really safe?Although it may seem like alternative medicine is a recent development, it has actually been around for longer than conventional medicine. Many of the medications and practices considered nontraditional today have their roots in traditional African, American, Asian, and European medicine. Because of their widespread popularity overseas, some alternative medications used in the United States may have already been tested abroad. Many alternative medicines—and many alternative treatments—don't receive official approval from the Food and Drug administration or conventional medical community because their effects are hard to quantify. Conversely, these same medications and treatments are usually not as dangerous or invasive as more conventional treatments.
Here are some commonsense ways to make using alternative medicine safer:
· Look for a practitioner who is licensed by the state or by a recognized medical association. If the practitioner is licensed, the licensing board will provide you with information about his or her education, training, and background (including disciplinary background).
· Choose a practitioner who uses several alternative therapies or who is trained in both conventional and alternative medicine. The practitioner should listen to you and be sensitive to your needs. You should be able to communicate comfortably and develop a good working relationship.
· After you have chosen a practitioner, ask him or her about the safety and effectiveness of the proposed treatment and mention any therapies and treatment you are already receiving
· Buy medications from reputable sources, and pay attention to the active and inactive ingredients, dosage instructions, and drug interactions listed on the label
Will health insurance cover alternative medicine?Some health plans offer coverage for alternative therapies, such as chiropractic care and massage therapy, but not for alternative medications—these are treated like traditional medications sold over-the-counter. However, many insurers are recognizing that the demand for alternative medications exists and are helping customers learn more by providing information about them. You may even be able to buy alternative medications through your insurer at a discount.
Tips for using alternative medicine
· Avoid treating yourself—seek the advice of a physician
· To find a practitioner of alternative medicine, talk to your current doctor. Your insurer may also be able to provide you with a referral.
· Always do your homework before trying out alternative medicine. Libraries, bookstores, health food stores, and the Internet are good places to start. Your physician or insurer may also be able to provide you with information.
· Continue to gather information even after you have selected an alternative practitioner and/or alternative treatment—this will help you practice the treatment and monitor its effectiveness
What is alternative medicine?Alternative medicine is a holistic or whole mind/body approach to health care that complements, rather than competes with, conventional medicine. When diagnosing and treating a patient, an alternative medicine practitioner considers not only the patient's physical health, but his or her mental and spiritual condition as well. Many different alternative treatments exist, including some that are becoming accepted by practitioners of traditional medicine:
ul.new li { margin:0 0 0 0; }
· Acupuncture, which is commonly used for pain relief
· Herbal medicine, including agrimony, which can be used for swelling, indigestion, or muscle tension relief
· Chiropractic techniques—the manipulation and adjustment of the spine and other joints—which are used to relieve pain and associated problems
· Mind/body techniques such as relaxation, visualization, talk therapy, hypnotherapy, yoga, and meditation
Should you use alternative medicine?People who use alternative medicine often believe that good health is not just the absence of disease—it also means being physically, mentally, and spiritually fit. You may decide to use alternative medicine if you believe that:
· It's important to use the best or most promising treatment available, whether conventional or not
· The conventional medicine you are using has been unsatisfactory
· Since no two people are the same—i.e. one person may respond differently to a medication or a treatment than another—a single approach may not work
· Common antibiotics or other prescription drugs may have unknown long-term side effects
· Many of the major causes of disease, including stroke and heart disease, might be prevented or reduced through simple lifestyle changes that include diet, exercise, and stress reduction
· Preventing the cause is better than treating the symptom
· Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and tai chi can promote physical, mental, and spiritual health
What is the difference between conventional and alternative medicine?Conventional and alternative medicines share the same goal—they seek to cure patients. However, they go about treating the patient's symptoms differently. Alternative medicine will often stimulate the body's natural recuperative powers—the immune system—to assist in the healing process. Alternative medicine is more apt to treat with natural substances such as zinc.
Conventional medicine often uses medications that have an immediate impact on the patient's symptoms. These are often manufactured drugs containing synthetic chemicals. The side effects of these medications can be more severe than those of alternative medications.
Alternative medicine often works best when combined with conventional medicine. In some cases, you may have little choice—although alternative medicine may work well over time, your condition may require immediate treatment, and more conventional methods of medicine may be your only option.
Is alternative medicine really safe?Although it may seem like alternative medicine is a recent development, it has actually been around for longer than conventional medicine. Many of the medications and practices considered nontraditional today have their roots in traditional African, American, Asian, and European medicine. Because of their widespread popularity overseas, some alternative medications used in the United States may have already been tested abroad. Many alternative medicines—and many alternative treatments—don't receive official approval from the Food and Drug administration or conventional medical community because their effects are hard to quantify. Conversely, these same medications and treatments are usually not as dangerous or invasive as more conventional treatments.
Here are some commonsense ways to make using alternative medicine safer:
· Look for a practitioner who is licensed by the state or by a recognized medical association. If the practitioner is licensed, the licensing board will provide you with information about his or her education, training, and background (including disciplinary background).
· Choose a practitioner who uses several alternative therapies or who is trained in both conventional and alternative medicine. The practitioner should listen to you and be sensitive to your needs. You should be able to communicate comfortably and develop a good working relationship.
· After you have chosen a practitioner, ask him or her about the safety and effectiveness of the proposed treatment and mention any therapies and treatment you are already receiving
· Buy medications from reputable sources, and pay attention to the active and inactive ingredients, dosage instructions, and drug interactions listed on the label
Will health insurance cover alternative medicine?Some health plans offer coverage for alternative therapies, such as chiropractic care and massage therapy, but not for alternative medications—these are treated like traditional medications sold over-the-counter. However, many insurers are recognizing that the demand for alternative medications exists and are helping customers learn more by providing information about them. You may even be able to buy alternative medications through your insurer at a discount.
Tips for using alternative medicine
· Avoid treating yourself—seek the advice of a physician
· To find a practitioner of alternative medicine, talk to your current doctor. Your insurer may also be able to provide you with a referral.
· Always do your homework before trying out alternative medicine. Libraries, bookstores, health food stores, and the Internet are good places to start. Your physician or insurer may also be able to provide you with information.
· Continue to gather information even after you have selected an alternative practitioner and/or alternative treatment—this will help you practice the treatment and monitor its effectiveness
The Truth About Lies-When Doctors Change Information To Get HMO Approval
The relationship between doctors and health insurance companies can be a rocky one at that, and much of the tension stems from the hassles doctors encounter when it comes to HMO denials. The potential for HMO's to deny a request, coupled with the hassles surrounding the denial, have risen to the point of doctors actually misrepresenting their patients, just to get approval. If a patient's HMO denies their request, a doctor can appeal the decision, but the process to get a health insurance company to change their decision is a troublesome one.
Studies have shown doctors are more willing to lie about their patient's medical condition to get them approved when their case is considered severe, or when there is a high likelihood that an appeal will be denied. If the appeal has a higher probability rate for acceptance, doctors and physicians are less prone to stretch the truth when it comes to medical records and conditions. The more likely the HMO will deny coverage, the more likely a doctor will consider lying about the patient's condition.
The potential problem that may arise if a doctor lies to a health insurance company about a patient's medical condition is that the lie will also be reflected in the patient's medical records. A little white lie to the HMO company may seem innocent at the time; but the lie could wreak havoc if the patient switches doctors or develops a more serious illness. And while doctors think they are helping their patients through the HMO approval process, in reality, they could be setting them up to fall.
Many solutions have been suggested, but it really comes down to doctors and health insurance companies working together to control cost and provide access to the best health care for patients.
Studies have shown doctors are more willing to lie about their patient's medical condition to get them approved when their case is considered severe, or when there is a high likelihood that an appeal will be denied. If the appeal has a higher probability rate for acceptance, doctors and physicians are less prone to stretch the truth when it comes to medical records and conditions. The more likely the HMO will deny coverage, the more likely a doctor will consider lying about the patient's condition.
The potential problem that may arise if a doctor lies to a health insurance company about a patient's medical condition is that the lie will also be reflected in the patient's medical records. A little white lie to the HMO company may seem innocent at the time; but the lie could wreak havoc if the patient switches doctors or develops a more serious illness. And while doctors think they are helping their patients through the HMO approval process, in reality, they could be setting them up to fall.
Many solutions have been suggested, but it really comes down to doctors and health insurance companies working together to control cost and provide access to the best health care for patients.
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