Disability Insurance
The chance of an individual becoming disabled for 3 months or longer before the age of 65 follows:
| Age | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 55 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage | 58% | 54% | 50% | 48% | 40% | 30% | 23% |
As you consider the merits of Short Term and/or Long Term Disability protection as a part of your benefit program, it is important to weigh all available options, to have an understanding of available government benefits, and to be aware of the interaction between public and private sector programs in the ultimate design consideration.
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)*
Provides your employees and their families with professional, confidential counselling.
Many disability claims are stress related - they may result from a personnel conflict at work, dealing with a rebellious teenager at home, supporting an elderly or infirm parent - the Assistance Program is designed to support an employee through crisis, and allow him to remain productive at work.
Health & Wellness
A wealth of information is available to help employees and their families manage their health and well-being, through online libraries, wellness brochures, information pamphlets, and interactive health management programs.
Early Intervention
Provides a pro-active, communication-based approach to managing staff absences.
There can be many reasons for an employee's absence - medical problems, declining physical or mental health, stresses from work or home. Identifying issues and developing customized solutions will shorten absences and may even prevent a disability claim from happening - a healthier approach for the employee as well as the employer.
Medical Access Services
Employees and their family are provided with access to the best medical care available.
Providing access to a global database of renowned physicians, the service works with the individual's treating physician to provide consultation with top medical experts to redefine or confirm a medical diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the service can locate qualified specialists to meet an individual's particular medical needs.
Workers Compensation Assistance
Certain provincial jurisdictions have introduced legislation changing how workers' compensation claims are handled. Some of these responsibilities have now been shifted to the employer.
An Assistance Service provides support to the employer for occupational disability claims:
- Completing and submitting documentation
- Evaluation of medical information
- Medical coordination services
- Regular contact with the compensation board
- Developing a return-to-work plan
- Integration of the claim with both WC and the benefit plan
- Complying with Workers' Compensation legislation
- Review, audits of Workers' Compensation process and rates
- Training of supervisory staff in the areas of attendance management, ergonomic assessment and worksite modifications.
Vocational Rehabilitation Consulting
Provides return-to-work planning, education, and job search assistance helping to reduce the length of disability.