Insurance & Care NSW (icare) says a medical support panel pilot project has cut treatment approval times for injured workers to an average of four days from 30 previously, based on interim results.

The 12-week pilot started in mid-May and has so far involved 100 workers.

The panel provides guidance, medical case support, resolution strategies and recommendations to case managers and other key support staff, who may not have a medical background, within no more than five business days.

“The trial has already shown a strong evidence base at the halfway mark, meaning injured workers get their treatment faster,” icare Chief Medical Officer Chris Colquhoun said.

“Through this pilot, we’re providing our case managers with credible medical recommendations to help them make more informed decisions when it comes to the whole-person health and wellbeing of injured workers.”

So far, 73% of new treatment requests reviewed by the panel have been supported, with just 12% referred to an independent medical examination for review.

Of the remaining cases, injured workers may have received a different treatment recommendation or new case strategy after agreement with all parties.

“While the pilot still has a way to go, these preliminary results show that a small step in how we approach claims management can make a big difference to people’s outcomes,” Dr Colquhoun said.

The pilot will run until the middle of next month.