Monitoring Claimants with Psychiatric Disabilities is a recently updated web version of a newsletter which first appeared in print in October 1996. It was authored by Leonard Grossman, Ph.D., a psychologist and diplomate of The American Board of Forensic Examiners.
Recovery is "just around the corner," but the claimant
repeatedly fails to return to work.
Postponed "back-to-work" dates in psychiatric disability cases occur for
many reasons: a failure to comply with treatment; maintenance rather
than recovery-oriented therapy; symptom exaggeration and malingering;
and secondary gain attached to receiving disability benefits.
As every claims representative knows, cases like these often drift along
indefinitely. Fortunately, there is something you can do about it other
than to "role the dice" and arrange another IME. It is possible, without
interfering with the care giver/patient relationship, to promote
positive, recovery oriented changes aimed at returning the claimant to
gainful employment.
Direct professional-to-professional monitoring and
consultation with the care giver.
By developing an ongoing professional-to-professional relationship, The
Forest Hills IPA has achieved a higher level of response and cooperation
from care givers. This is interactive, recovery-oriented monitoring and
case management.
Care givers are subtlety but actively encouraged to maximize therapy and
set recovery-oriented, back-to-work goals. Obstacles to recovery,
secondary gain issues, and patient motivation are discussed and
explored. When appropriate, IME reports from the insurer and their
findings and recommendations are also shared and reviewed.
If at first glance this seems like interference or involvement with
treatment, let me assure you that this is not the case. All our
consultations are conducted in a voluntary, information-sharing
fashion, with care givers retaining complete control and authority
over all treatment decisions. In fact, we have found that most care
givers welcome the opportunity to discuss their case with a supportive
professional peer, especially in complex situations.
The end result of these monitoring efforts is often a speedier, more
precise time table for recovery, and a claims form which reads "ready to
return to work." If you would like additional information on how our
interactive consulting and monitoring program works, please call me toll free at (888)
779 - 2524. I also suggest you check out our special on-line guide, The ABCs of Managing Psychiatric Disability Cases.
Sincerely,
Leonard Grossman Ph.D.,
President, The Forest Hills IPA Inc.
Diplomate, The American Board of Forensic Examiners
October 1996 Newsletter
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