Mental health has a hidden impact on disability claimants, study finds
Of those who were out of work due to physical issues, 1 in 5 had an undetected mental health issue.
There has always been a historically long-standing connection between the mind and the body. Physical wellbeing and mental wellbeing are often far closer in their relationship than has been explored scientifically.
In a recent study examining the wellbeing of their claimants, Prudential found nearly 1 in 5 people with chronic physical conditions develop mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Of those who were out of work due to physical issues, 1 in 5 had an undetected mental health issue. Of people with severe mental health conditions, 37% also have long term physical health conditions. This led Prudential to enhance its disability claims management process in 2021.
In addition, Prudential began a relationship with NeuroFlow, a mental health technology platform that provides claimants with self-guided mental wellness tools and resources. Claimants complete assessments that help identify symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use disorder, and more. Based on the results of assessments, NeuroFlow delivers access to targeted resources to claimants in need.
- 45% of the 19% who experienced clinical levels of depression reported significant reduction in depression symptoms, in 4-8 months.
- 53% of the 19% who experienced clinical levels of anxiety reported significant reduction in anxiety symptoms, in 4-8 months.
The technology helps clinical disability case managers to identify claimants with more severe mental wellness needs. That data is fed into a claims management platform and delivers timely alerts when claimants’ wellness declines. A degree of insight to this extent helps connect claimants with expert clinical resources in a timely manner so that claimants at risk for trauma or self-harm can access the support they need.
It was uncovered that 19% of Prudential’s claimants on long- and short-term disability had unidentified mental wellness needs. Remarkably, 87% of these claimants were identified within one week of joining.
“NeuroFlow is helping us identify and support claimants with mental wellness needs that may not have been identified as promptly otherwise,” says Kristin Tugman, vice president of health and productivity analytics and consulting practice at Prudential Group Insurance.
Related: Are disability benefits actually enough to live on?
“That is helping us improve our claims management process and smooth claimants’ transition back to work. We believe being able to proactively surface claimants’ mental wellness needs and help them access relevant benefits has made a meaningful difference.”