Swiss Re is to hold a study on the role of rehabilitation in claims management, with a white paper on the topic due in a few months.

It comes after the reinsurer’s UK business undertook a similar survey, which found 89% of life insurers wanted rehabilitation to play a bigger role over the next five years. 

Head of Life and Health Australia Helen Troup says the study will explore rehabilitation trends.

“What we would like to see is more focus on getting people back to work to recover, or ‘back to life’,” she said.

“This requires support from the industry through day-to-day rehabilitation case management, product design and projects targeting specific conditions such as mental health.”

Ms Troup says an injured worker who is absent for four to 12 weeks has a 10-40% risk of being away from work for a year.

After a one to two-year absence, it is unlikely they will return to any form of work.

Swiss Re has joined with the Australasian Life Underwriting and Claims Association to launch the Excellence and Innovation in Rehabilitation Award.

Entries are now open, and a winner will be picked next month.