MetLife says a pilot rehabilitation program designed to return people to work has achieved an impressive initial success rate.

“We ran a pilot ‘reactivate program’ in January and we are already seeing 75% [of participants] on the path to returning to work,” Chief Product and Marketing Officer Tim Tez told insuranceNEWS.com.au.   

“We will be running another reactivate program next month.”

The holistic rehabilitation scheme helps people with debilitating psychological and physical conditions who are struggling to return to work. Participants attend a three-day, non-residential program to develop personal recovery plans.

“In the following three months, we will follow up with coaching and support to overcome the barriers to returning to work,” Mr Tez said.

“It is building the right framework by adding mental wellbeing to help the claimant regain control over their lives and return to fulfilling employment.”

The program was developed by MetLife in Australia, in conjunction with Ian Stephens of Enrich Training & Development.

“MetLife’s commitment towards being innovative in managing claims means the Reactivate Program could now be deployed more widely across the life industry in Australia,” Mr Stephens said. “There is potential for programs such as this to change the way we approach long-term illness and disability.

“In addition to providing a new support program for long-term claimants, it also supports early intervention strategies for both life insurers and their clients.”