More than 1 in 20 group income protection (GIP) claims Unum received for people unable to work in the 9 months to 30th September 2021 were for covid-19 or a related illness, but the company is supporting people by providing individualised rehabilitation programmes.
The latest figures on the impact of covid-19 on Unum customers’ employees show that September 2021 saw the lowest number of covid-19 or covid-related incapacity claims since November 2020.
Unum says it supports people through prolonged illness by providing an individualised rehabilitation programme combined with absence management and return to work support that is tailored to each employee’s needs. It also collaborates closely with employers to achieve the best possible outcome.
GIP customers can refer any covered employee for early intervention support and guidance for any absence-related issues, such as covid-19, long covid-19, or any other covid-19-related condition. This can include providing assistance before a claim is filed in order to prevent an employee’s health and wellbeing from deteriorating further.
Unum has an in-house team of vocational rehabilitation consultants. The team includes medical professionals such as psychologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists to provide a holistic approach that helps guide people physically and mentally on their road to recovery.
Unum provides assistance before an employee becomes ill enough to be signed off sick. According to Unum, early intervention results in far better outcomes because it allows them to address smaller, root causes of health concerns before they become much larger problems.
Between the beginning of February 2020 and 5th October 2021, Unum assisted 95.9 per cent of the rehabilitation cases it received for covid-19 or a related illness. This excludes referrals actively receiving support from vocational rehabilitation consultants.
The support vocational rehabilitation consultants can include providing a comprehensive and detailed gradual return to work plan as the employee’s health begins to improve, negotiating flexible hours for employees struggling with fatigue and similar symptoms, working with employers and employees to introduce accommodations to balance both the return to work and the employee’s health, such as modifying work tasks to meet the needs of both parties, psychological support to cope with any lingering mental health symptoms caused by covid-19 and assistance with lifestyle management and other self-help techniques to help the employee feel truly in control of their own recovery.
Early intervention helps the employee, who receives early support to prevent further deterioration in their health, necessitating sick leave, and the employer by keeping an employee healthy and working to the best of their ability.
Unum also assists employers in managing employees with long-term conditions, such as covid-19 and related illnesses. This includes webinars and CPD-accredited line manager training to help them feel confident when supporting employees with chronic illnesses.
Unum head of claims, rehab and medical services Paula Coffey says: “It’s important to note that whilst the emphasis of rehabilitation is on getting well, it’s also about ensuring people have access to the right tools at the right time.
“For many people who’ve faced or are facing covid-19, long covid-19 and other related illnesses, it may take time to rebuild their health and wellbeing. Unum is proud and privileged to be part of that for so many people, and it’s a service we will continue offering to everyone, not just covid-19 sufferers, for a long time to come.”