PORTLAND, Maine (PRWEB)
August 24, 2020

Professional Disability Associates (PDA), a provider of specialty risk resources and consultative solutions to the disability insurance market, subsidiary of The Advocator Group and Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO), announced today the launch of a Behavioral Health Claim Management service. The offering serves to assist disability insurance carriers with improving the decision making, duration management, resource utilization, and return to work outcomes of these complex and, often, costly claims.

Utilizing innovative psychometric survey tools and the expertise of behavioral health clinicians, PDA will work with insurance carrier customers to identify behavioral health claims where psychosocial issues may be impacting functional capacity. Claims selected will follow a prescribed process, whereby the specific behavioral health issues are identified, assessed, and translated into how it impacts the claimant’s ability to work. Claims suited for this service include those with a primary behavioral health diagnosis, co-morbid behavioral health condition, undiagnosed behavioral health, or COVID-19 impacted claims.

PDA’s proprietary process for evaluating these claims includes an evaluation of medical history and a psychometric assessment of the claimant’s ability and mindset about returning to work, combined with an in-depth interview by a seasoned behavioral health clinician. Targeted strategies for future claim management can include a multi-disciplinary discussion, outreach to a treating provider, outreach to an employer, a peer review, an independent medical exam, and/or surveillance. Where possible, the service will also serve to make recommendations as to how to safely and securely return a claimant to work.

“We are at a critical inflection point in the management of disability claims,” notes Michael Shunney, Chief Executive Officer of PDA. “Behavioral health claims have always been among the most nebulous and demanding to manage for a disability claims operation. With the impact of COVID-19, we anticipate the volume and complexity of these claims to skyrocket. We are eager to bring more value to our customers by establishing long-term, meaningful strategies to address these claims.”

Dr. Joel Axler, MD, FAPA and National Behavioral Health Leader for Strategic Benefit Advisors, part of the Brown & Brown, Inc. team, remarks, “COVID-19 is accelerating the demand for behavioral health solutions and has already had substantial effects on health care, which will last far after the pandemic is over. There is a critical need for services that address issues all along the absence continuum – from employer-based solutions through to insights and actionable data at the long-term disability stage. I am delighted to see PDA bring forward an offering that meets a growing demand for these types of services.”

The Behavioral Health Claim Management offering can be integrated with any of PDA’s other consultative or specialized claims services for a comprehensive suite of services to address complex or resource-intensive disability claims.

To learn more about Professional Disability Associates, visit http://www.professionaldisabilityassociates.com.

ABOUT PROFESSIONAL DISABILITY ASSOCIATES

Professional Disability Associates (PDA) is an innovative industry leader in providing specialty risk resources, including medical and vocational review services, consultative solutions and industry benchmarking, as well as full-service claim administration capabilities to major disability insurers and self-insured employers. PDA prides itself on delivering customized solutions and exceeding its clients’ expectations. To learn more, please visit our website, http://www.professionaldisabilityassociates.com.

ABOUT THE ADVOCATOR GROUP

The Advocator Group, LLC is a nationwide advocacy organization dedicated to helping individuals apply for and obtain Social Security Disability Insurance. In addition, The Advocator Group assists Medicare beneficiaries in identifying the best coverage possible for their unique needs. The Advocator Group’s team of experienced Social Security and Medicare advocates ensures that each client is provided phenomenal service while each case receives close attention. For more information, visit advocator.com.

ABOUT BROWN & BROWN, INC.

Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) is a leading insurance brokerage firm, providing risk management solutions to individuals and businesses. With more than 80 years of proven success and thousands of teammates, we offer knowledge you can trust and strive to deliver superior customer service. For more information, please visit bbinsurance.com.

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