The Client and Its Challenge
A large healthcare organization, with more than 100,000 employees, had established an integrated disability management program in 1998. Senior management felt there was an opportunity to improve the program and level of individual hospital participation. An integrated disability management (IDM) work team, representing four large health ministries, risk management and benefits, was established to review the current program, identify areas for improvement, and quantify potential cost savings. IDM work team decisions were subject to approval from a corporate oversight committee.

The Risk Consulting Solution
Marsh/Mercer consultants were brought in to coach the internal work team through the process, offer independent insights regarding industry best practices, and provide recommendations for future improvements. Marsh/Mercer specialists led the internal IDM work team through a series of facilitated meetings, where homework was often assigned to aid the team in the decision-making process.

Among other issues, the Marsh/Mercer and client team reviewed program components, benefit plan design, quality of service delivery, administrative pricing options, and information management systems. The team also explored options for encouraging individual hospitals to participate in the enhanced IDM program.

Together the team completed a best practices IDM model; evaluated and determined how the information management systems could be improved; designed reward and recognition programs to encourage participation; and quantified the economic and qualitative value for adopting the corporate IDM model for two of the largest institutions.

Results
Marsh/Mercer delivered a final report that outlined the internal work team's program design recommendations. The report was shared with human resources vice presidents across all of the institutions and used to encourage participation in the corporate integrated disability management program.

Final materials included a customized economic modeling tool that could be used by member hospitals to calculate their own short-term disability baseline costs and the savings potential, which could be realized from participation in the integrated program.