Unum UK has launched a digital portal for employers with online claims tracking, absence management and rehabilitation referral capabilities.
The portal is designed to simplify the claims process, giving users the ability to submit and monitor claims and rehabilitation referrals.
The development follows feedback that Unum got from its broker partners and customers last year, who expressed a strong demand for digital solutions in claims and rehabilitation.
Following a successful pilot with 14 large clients across various industries, the service will be available from 1 January to all Unum clients with more than1,000 insured employees and a group income protection, group life insurance, or group critical illness policy.
Paula Coffey, director of claims, rehab and medical services at Unum (pictured), said: “Our new service simplifies the claims process for HR and line managers, providing them with all the tools and information they need to submit and monitor claims, as well as make rehabilitation referrals.
“Additionally, it offers the capability to track the status of all cases through one centralised dashboard with an on-demand view of claims and referrals.”
She added: “90% of claims from the pilot are now submitted online, and customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We believe managing claims and referrals should be simple and effective, whilst never losing the personal touch.
“That’s why we make sure HR managers continue to receive individual phone calls to discuss claims decisions, maintaining that important human connection.
“And for those that prefer or need a more traditional approach, offline claims management remains an option for all clients.
“We make it as easy as possible for employers to refer employees to Unum’s rehabilitation team at the first sign of need; ensuring timely, in-house support and helping to address issues before they escalate.
“This marks the next exciting step in our digital evolution, empowering employers with self-service tools while enabling our teams to continue delivering excellent customer experiences.
“Our online claims and rehabilitation service is just the beginning. Following the success of our Help@hand offering, which already has a significant presence in the employee space, we’ll continue to expand our digital capabilities throughout next year, offering even more self-service options to help employers actively support the health and wellbeing of their workforce.”
A spokesperson from pilot participant, AECOM, said: “We’re always excited to see Unum innovate.
“Their new claims portal makes managing claims so much easier, freeing up admin time to focus more on our people.”