Insurers need to sell the benefits of rehabilitation as part of income protection policies, according to Helen Merfield, chief executive of Health & Case Management Limited (HCML).
Merfield said: "There is no doubting the importance of early intervention and rehabilitation but a lack of trust in the real intentions of the insurer acts as a barrier. It is not unusual for the injured person to assume that the insurer is simply offering rehabilitation to avoid paying out the claim.
"Insurers and brokers should be selling rehabilitation and its benefits upfront as part of the policy alongside income protection. The injured person would then expect to be offered rehabilitation should it be required.
She added: "This approach could facilitate early intervention and in turn prevent long-term illness. It is a win-win situation. The injured person would have a better chance of returning to work and the insurer could save money on costly long-term claims and treatment.
"For this to be successful however, rehabilitation case managers need to be involved before the limitation period on income protection kicks in.
"Case management providers need to educate both brokers and independent financial advisors on the benefits of rehabilitation and early intervention."
