Allianz has won an “excellence and innovation in injury management” award for its work on psychological injuries.

It was honoured at the inaugural Care and Service Excellence Awards, hosted by state government agency Insurance & Care NSW (icare).

The awards recognise outstanding service, performance and innovation in the NSW workers’ compensation scheme, overseen by icare.

Allianz analysed the differences between psychological and physical claims in areas such as duration, risk factors, treatment needs and industrial influence.

It then developed a claims management model that included the establishment of a specialist claims team and psychological injury management framework, to manage primary and secondary psychological injuries.

The model has resulted in improved processes, training and communication, which in turn improves return-to-work times.

Other icare award winners are:

• David Gatt, Employers Mutual (outstanding new starter)
• The serious injury management team at CGU (outstanding contribution by a team)
• Sandra Howard, CGU (outstanding contribution by an individual)
• Michael Ivicevich, GIO (services to icare workers’ insurance)
• Kosta Savidakis, CGU (excellence in improving client performance).

icare, which started operations on September 1, delivers insurance and care services under the NSW workers’ compensation scheme, the Lifetime Care & Support Authority, the Dust Diseases Authority, the NSW Self-Insurance Corporation and the NSW Sporting Injuries Compensation Authority.