Medicals Direct enters claims arena

Medicals Direct Group has launched a new tele-claims service.

The medical solutions provider aims to take responsibility for the medical element of claims on behalf of life and general insurance providers, offering assessment and treatment of the claim.

Claimants will be assigned their own office-based nurse with specialist training, who offers assistance as soon as the claim is received.

During the initial triage the nature of the medical condition is assessed with treatment and specialists recommended as required.

Medicals Direct said incomplete or fraudulent claims are weeded out at an early stage.

A Medicals Direct pilot project on behalf of a major life insurer revealed 18% of Waiver of Premium claimants ought not to be receiving the benefit, due to altered circumstances which only came to light after consultations with Medicals Direct's nurses.

Medical Direct Group's CEO, Mike Benton believes the service will further revolutionise the way insurers operate: "The implications for savings in terms of cost and time for insurers, and the reduction in distress for claimants, are just too significant to ignore. Health-related insurance should be regarded more as a service than merely a product."

In the UK only 10% of workers will return to work after a serious injury, compared with 30% in the US and 50% in Scandinavia.