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A well designed, progressive, disability management program can shorten or even prevent employee absences, reduce costs and maintain productivity. Integrated disability management programs apply consistent principles and complementary processes to all disability-related benefits (short- or long-term disability programs, workers’ compensation and other third party insurers). The most effective approach combines integrated disability management with prevention. Research shows that the best results come from a combination of a strong organizational commitment centered on line supervisors, overseen by expert internal resources and supported by clinical case management.

The Province of B.C.’s approach to managing health related absences is therefore, based on the ‘best practice’ of “Integrated Disability Case Management” (IDCM). The objective of IDCM is to utilize the same case management processes regardless of whether a claim arises out of an occupational or non-occupational illness or injury. This approach brings together disability management and claims administration for short-term disability (STIIP), long-term disability (LTD) and workers’ compensation (WCB).

Disability Management Programs’ *key guiding principles are that:

• Team efforts are focused on a safe, timely and sustainable return to work
• The disability case management model is behavioural, not primarily medically based
• The Disability Case Management Specialist, Occupational Health Nurse and Corporate Advisor are program advocates not employee or employer advocates
• Successful outcomes are predicated on early intervention to establish the proper course of action, and,
• Supervisors/managers and employees are key team members whose relationship is critical to successful interventions.

Unlike traditional disability benefits that focus on income replacement, the main emphasis of IDCM is on managing the disability case and helping employees return to work in a safe, timely and sustainable manner. Claims are handled using the same principles of disability management, regardless of whether the disability is work related or not.

A return to work program is designed to identify causes of disability, manage the frequency and duration of disabilities, and encourage rehabilitation and early return to the workplace. The government of BC can help ill or injured employees regain self-sufficiency through rehabilitation programs, vocational rehabilitation services, job or worksite modifications and work trials.

*See Guiding Principles and Acronyms/Short forms (alpha)

Goals

The Public Service promotes a safe and healthy workplace that supports the well-being of employees. The goal, using an integrated disability case management approach is to effect a safe, timely and sustainable return to work for individuals who have been ill or injured while controlling total employer costs.

Guiding Principles

The following principles are intended as a guide to anyone who is involved in managing health related absences, implement this approach.

• Successful outcomes are predicated on early intervention;
• Team efforts are focused on a safe, timely and sustainable return to work;
• Case management model is behaviourally; not medically based;
• Supervisors/Managers, human resource practitioners, medical personnel, union representatives, and employees are key participants in the process;
• Disability Case Management Specialist, Occupational Health Nurse and Corporate Advisor are program advocates not employee or employer advocates
• Benefit decisions on eligibility and entitlement are timely;
• Claims administration is efficient, accurate and timely;
• Medical, legal, labour relations and workplace issues are identified and managed concurrently;
• Program activities are modeled on demonstrated industry “best practices”;
• Data collection and analysis is essential to the development and maintenance of successful disability management programs;
• Effective case management includes case definition/profile, case analysis and direct contact with employees.

Acronyms/Short forms (alpha)