HCML

Rehabilitation will not reach its full potential in the UK until there is greater data sharing - according to speakers and delegates at a recent workshop presented by the UK’s leading rehabilitation case management provider HCML.

The IUA/ABI 4^th Bodily Injury Report suggests that the number of personal injury (PI) claims have increased 3% each year between 1996 and 2006. However, the number of referrals made to rehabilitation providers and case managers in the same period indicates that many of those people didn’t receive any appropriate rehabilitation.

Gavin Davies, Director at HCML said:

One of the main issues is the lack of cost benefit analysis including data share on the lifecycle of a claim and the average cost of a claim. At HCML we are currently working with our clients to demonstrate the value of rehabilitation and case management through benchmarking studies and data sharing schemes but this is by no means standard and the industry as a whole needs to do more.

Data and information sharing is the only way to answer concerns from insurers and solicitors about the value of rehabilitation.

We can only ask and encourage insurers to consistently measure the financial effect of rehabilitation on the lifecycle of their claims. They are the ones in a position to capture this information and the rehabilitation industry cannot truly illustrate cost savings without it.

Helen Ryan, Regional Rehabilitation Manager at HCML, who presented at the workshop added:

The workshop provoked healthy debate and discussion from the participants – the majority of whom felt that rehabilitation is underutilised in the UK and particularly in the motor sector.

In addition to a lack of data proving the value and benefit of rehabilitation, there is an ambiguity over who is or should be directing the rehabilitation process – especially in high value claims. Is it the insurer, the solicitor or both? Ideally these parties should work together to help the injured person regain health and return to suitable employment.

Georgia Hellen, Senior Account Manager at HCML concluded:

The benefits from a more concerted effort to encourage rehabilitation are out there to be achieved and may include an expedited return to work, earlier settlement of a claim at a lower cost and potentially a reduction in fraudulent claims.

Both insurers and solicitors are increasingly aware of these benefits of rehabilitation and further education about the process will help improve general understanding and awareness - evidence of cost savings and a track record of successful outcomes would help much further.