4 criteria for a patient-centered workers compensation process

When it comes to handling workers compensation (WC) claims, patient-centered approaches have been taking hold as a strategy to improve the entire process – and we think it’s more than a passing trend. Rooted in transparency and collaboration, this new model is credited with solving injured employees’ concerns, promoting better relationships, and, ultimately, leading to better outcomes. Follow along to learn the four criteria of an patient-centered WC model.

Linking empathy and employee satisfaction with the workers compensation process is a major goal of the patient-centered model. And that means paying attention to the language used throughout a case. Replacing stressful and intimidating words like “investigation” and “lost time,” for example, with direct and compassionate terms like “review” and “recovery” can go a long way toward simplifying complexity and clarifying uncertainty.

To ensure that an injured worker feels truly cared for and that help is always available, outreach and user-friendly information about the WC process is a must – both early and often. Establishing early contact demonstrates that employers are genuinely concerned about a worker’s well-being, and it offers the chance to anticipate questions, too. Demystifying the roles of claims representatives and nurse case managers, for instance, can be invaluable, reinforcing your goal of transparency from the time a claim is made to the day a case is resolved.

Keep injured workers updated about how their claims are progressing through a combination of technology and personal contact. Personalizing the interactions helps as well; make sure you use the worker’s preferred mode of communication. Moreover, skills like motivational interviewing and therapeutic listening can help reduce employee anxiety and facilitate full recovery. Good approaches can include phone calls, emails, texts, get-well cards, letters, web portals, educational videos, and smartphone apps.

Use collaboration to develop a return-to-work plan that works for everyone and that helps the employee feel confident and safe. The key is to identify a range of options that proactively address each worker’s specific recovery needs. From light-duty assignments to transitional employment opportunities, it’s critical to actively engage injured workers in their own recovery and return to work.

Putting injured workers first can produce better outcomes for both employees and employers when it comes to managing the WC claims process. For more information, read 3 Reasons Why Injured Worker Advocacy Matters.