A total of 97 per cent of employees using Unum’s group income protection rehabilitation service now return to work, according to latest data published by the insurer.
This is a record number, and Unum says it reflects the improvements made to the service,.
The insurer adds that this improvement has come despite the number of referrals to this service increasing by 35 per cent over all the past year.
Unum says that mental health conditions now account for almost half (49 per cent) of employer referrals — a 37 per cent increase from the previous year. At the same time Unum says it has also seen a significant increase in the number of people seeking support for mental health conditions via its Help@hand app, with 37% of all bookings now related to these conditions.
The employee benefits provider says that ongoing problems and backlogs in the NHS has driven claims on all its group risk products. Cancer remains the main illness claimed for, accounting for 69 per cent of CI claims, 39 per cent of life insurance claims and 30 per cent of GIP claims.
It points out that access to NHS dentistry is also becoming more challenging, with dental claims payments rising by 29 per cent at the end of 2023, and and totalling £31m.
In total, Unum UK paid more than £471mi in claims last year — this includes £229m for income protection, £160m for life insurance and £43m for critical illness cover.
Unum director of claims, rehabilitation and medical services Paula Coffey says:“We’ve significantly increased our support and training for line managers to help businesses spot and recognise the signs of distress, placing a particular emphasis on the importance of early referrals and its positive impact on either enabling a successful return to work or preventing absence from the outset.”
She adds: “Our experience shows us that a successful return to work is centred on understanding the individual, and where we draw on our expertise to support people. It’s an ethos central to our company values and why we take the time to individualise the support we provide to customers.”
