The workplace will provide numerous challenges for clients and they will vary from industry to industry, Ron S. Leopold told listeners at the recent BenefitsPRO Virtual Broker Expo.
"The pandemic is the greatest world disruptor of our lifetime," shared medical advisor and consultant, Ron S. Leopold, M.D., in a session looking at health care innovation in the COVID-19 era during day one of the BenefitsPRO Virtual Broker Expo. "It compares to 9-11 and Pearl Harbor and has introduced a level of urgency, uncertainty and challenge. It will be a topic of conversation for the rest of our lives."
Leopold acknowledged that the workplace will provide numerous challenges for clients and they will vary from industry to industry. Employees at some companies will continue to work remotely until spring 2021, while essential workers are already going back to their workplaces, a decision fraught with several concerns.
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"Vertical knowledge of the workplaces will be vital," said Leopold, "because of the differentiations based on industry."
Returning to work
Among the issues to consider are a workforce that is already tired, frightened and financially strapped. Many have been furloughed or downsized and they are managing under incredible financial strain, explained Leopold. In addition, they are afraid to go into the workplace. Leopold recommends that companies revisit their absence policies, ensure they comply with federal regulations such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), and consider modifying existing programs to accommodate and plan for adjusted staffing needs.
Employees with chronic conditions should also be identified and may require some modifications to keep them safe and address their concerns about returning to the workplace.
Employers will also need to develop new ways to monitor and manage work from home policies. "Document your policies and make sure your clients do so," advised Leopold. "Be nimble and understand that policies are based on what we know to date. It's important to anticipate unexpected shifts in what you do." He also recommended that companies develop a multi-disciplinary advisory panel comprising individuals with legal, compliance, medical and operational perspectives because all of them must be considered as policies evolve.
Staying healthy
When it comes to health and wellness, Leopold is concerned because good habits have been replaced by bad ones during the pandemic. "We're seeing higher risks with less intervention and unprecedented levels of stress," he observed. "People aren't seeing the doctor or they're waiting until it's urgent."
A positive outcome over the last few months has been the increased use of telemedicine. "It's one of the biggest winners in terms of health and medical solutions with the pandemic," he said. Virtual care works well for monitoring post-surgical care and injuries, refill appointments and nurse advocacy. However, Leopold expressed concern because some conditions such as renal issues, diabetes, cancer and cardiac care are being left untreated and could result in increased medical bills in the future.
He advised brokers to review their claims weekly, audit medical bills and claims, stay on top of their vendors to ensure they are delivering the services needed and recognize that medical costs will be even more of a roller coaster than they have been in the past.
Patricia L. Harman
Patricia L. Harman is the editor-in-chief of Claims magazine, a contributing editor to PropertyCasualty360.com, and chairs the annual America's Claims Event (ACE), which focuses on providing claims professionals with cutting-edge education and networking opportunities. She covers auto, property & casualty, workers' compensation, fraud, risk and cybersecurity, and is a frequent speaker at insurance industry events. Contact her at [email protected]
