Since its launch in 2020, Asteron Life’s Mental Health Disability Management Programme has received more than 30 referrals.
The programme is provided in collaboration with Teladoc Health, and is tailored to support customers who lodge claims related to their mental health. The firm says mental health is the third largest reason for disability claims, following accidents and cancer.
Since the service began, 31 referrals have been received by the firm. Executive Manager Claims and Customer Solutions for Asteron Life, Seema Bangera says getting access to mental health care can be difficult and many people struggle to reach out for help.
“We want to enable our customers to get the support they need, when they need it, irrespective of where they are located,” she says.
“We recognise that mental health is a big issue in Aotearoa and it’s a situation that requires immediate attention.”
Bangera says mental health can also surface alongside other claim reasons.
“It’s important that we can bring solutions to customers that really make a difference,” she says.
The programme aims to connect eligible customers with a professional within seven to 10 days from referral, and are supported throughout the process by an Asteron Life case manager and a mental health nurse from Teladoc Health.
Since the programme began in 2020, Teladoc Health has reported that around 60% of customers are getting a more informed diagnosis than initially provided, and 80% of customers have received an revised treatment plan since using the service.