Psychiatric Disability Management
Psychiatric disability cases are among the leading causes of lost time and productivity – estimated at $150 billion annually for employers. The LifeSynchSM psychiatric disability management program can help reduce the costs associated with psychiatric disability claims.
Comprehensive Back-to-Work Plans for Each Individual
LifeSynch’s psychiatric disability management program takes a 360-degree look at each individual’s needs and develops a customized return-to-work plan based on behavioral change.
Upon engagement, our network of specialized, disability-experienced assessors begin work immediately to recommend the best treatment strategy for a rapid recovery and to reduce the risk of relapse. When this expertise is combined with LifeSynch’s managed behavioral health services, claimants experience coordinated management and enhanced care.
Measurable Results that Make a Difference
By choosing LifeSynch, you help employees improve their health and get back to being productive at work. Psychiatric disability management programs help:
- Reduce length of disability
- Decrease disability costs
- Reduce subsequent disability claims
- Decrease rollover rates to long-term disability
- Promote coordination of care among treatment providers
End-to-End Care from Assessment to Follow-Up
Our program is designed to merge with our clients’ existing disability management process. All eligible cases are routed to the LifeSynch psychiatric disability management department for clinical review and intake by a psychiatric clinician.
Throughout the process, LifeSynch works collaboratively with the employer and the third-party administrator to ensure updates are provided and that the disability case is seamlessly coordinated.
How It Works
Initial Assessment by Psychiatric Clinician
A psychiatric clinician provides an opinion about the member’s ability to perform the material and substantial duties of his or her position and informs the employer and/or the plan administrator so that an initial liability decision can be made. The clinician bases this opinion on a detailed clinical intake interview, a three-point contact (employee, employer, attending physician), and a review of the medical information submitted with the claim.
Escalated to In-Person Assessments If Necessary
If claimants are absent or there is a likelihood they will be absent for more than two weeks, the psychiatric clinician refers them to a subspecialty network of doctoral-level clinicians or medical doctors who conduct a detailed face-to-face interview and write an assessment report.
A LifeSynch disability clinician receives the assessment report, which details the member's functional impairments (if any), and recommends treatment to optimize recovery and to expedite the member’s return to work. Based on this report, the clinician will create a customized, return-to-work oriented treatment strategy with the support of the attending physician.
Ongoing Care
LifeSynch disability care management works with the member regularly throughout the return-to-work recovery period. Because LifeSynch is delivering the behavioral care through our network, we are able to facilitate and, in most cases, augment care to help speed recovery.
Return-to-Work Follow-up
Once the member returns to work, the care manager follows up with the treatment team and member to ensure the employee remains stable. This process reduces the risk of relapse and enables us to ensure appropriate care after the member returns to work.
Need More Information?
Complete our request form to receive a follow-up from a LifeSynch representative about our products.Note: If you are a member seeking specific benefit information, please visit our Member section.
