Mental Health In the Workplace Series: Part 3

Disability claims vary in complexity and intensity, but behavioral health claims are among the most complex. As a leading provider of income protection benefits, we have a dedicated team of licensed behavioral health clinicians who can intervene to make a profound difference for claimants.¹ 

 

“Our clinicians have the experience and ability to help develop a return-to-work path that makes the most sense for each employee,” says Adele Spallone, head of clinical operations for Workers’ Compensation and Group Benefits at The Hartford. 

 

“We can evaluate the level of the claimant’s impairment as it relates to their specific job duties,” she explains. “This is extremely valuable in getting the employee back to work safely.” 

 

The Hartford’s clinicians fully understand that an employee with a primary diagnosis of a mental health condition often has multiple medical providers, frequent interventions, medication management challenges and complex return-to-work issues. Our team will often collaborate with the employee’s physician to help them gradually return to work with appropriate accommodations. 

 

“The Hartford’s behavioral health clinicians have the training and skills to assess the diagnosis, symptoms and psychosocial factors impairing recovery. They know how to evaluate potential return-to-work risk factors,” Spallone says. 

 

Working closely with claims staff and resources, the behavioral health clinicians offer support to disability claimants who may be experiencing stress, anxiety, poor sleeping habits, social isolation and other mental health conditions. These challenges could jeopardize their recovery and prolong their absence from work. And the longer an employee is out on disability leave, the greater the risk that a mental health condition could worsen and delay recovery.

 

Serious mental illness costs the U.S. about $193 billion in lost earnings each year, and about 10.2 million adults have co-occurring health and addiction disorders.²  As health care costs continue to rise, consumers face higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for medical expenses.

 

The Hartford’s Hospital Cash Benefits, also known as Hospital Indemnity Insurance, include coverage beyond traditional hospitalization. This product’s benefits can also help pay for behavioral health and substance misuse treatments. Supplemental health plans can help an employee defray costs not covered by health insurance, such as drug or alcohol recovery programs.³  

 

To learn more about our employee benefits solutions for behavioral health, contact your representative at The Hartford.

 

 

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¹ Fully Insured Disability Inforce, LIMRA Sales and Inforce Results, YE 2021 Summary 

 

² Mental Health Facts in America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Reviewed August 2023

 

³ Supplemental Health products (Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity, etc) are independent and do not coordinate with any other health coverage.

The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries, including underwriting companies Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company and Hartford Fire Insurance Company, under the brand name, The Hartford,^® and is headquartered at One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s legal notice at https://www.thehartford.com. All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Policies underwritten by the underwriting company listed above detail exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits and terms under which the policies may be continued in force or discontinued.