Technology company provides solutions for workers� compensation and disability claims management
November 10, 2006 – ATLANTA – Crawford & Company has purchased e-Triage, an international technology company whose products Crawford has been using in Claims Advantage, its workers� compensation claimshandling program. E-Triage�s Web-based services apply evidence-based international research to identify specific risk factors and recommend interventions to positively impact return-to-work (RTW).
E-Triage formulates a best-practices approach for medical treatment customized to each injured worker. The system was developed under the direction of Alf L. Nachemson, M.D., Ph.D., a Swedish researcher who pioneered the research in identifying RTW barriers due to psychosocial influences. This system prevents simple claims from becoming complex, and keeps normal lost-time claims from turning into long-term, high cost claims.
Broadspire, a Crawford Company, uses e-Triage structured interviews in its claims management process for its workers� compensation clients. Claims professionals conduct ongoing interviews with the employer, injured worker, and medical provider, and input the data into the e-Triage system. The e-Triage evidence-based decision tree analyzes the information gathered. The adjuster and medical adviser identify the specific areas of each claim to be addressed, and develop a strategic plan of action for its intervention and management.
�After partnering with e-Triage for two years and seeing the benefits it provides our clients and the industry, we felt like it would be in our best interest to own the company, which also makes other health care software,� said Crawford�s President and CEO Thomas W. Crawford. �The e-Triage system recognizes early deterrents to recovery and provides an objective means to identify them, allowing the claims team to manage them more effectively.�
The acquisition of e-Triage was finalized on October 30, 2006, for $3.5 million in cash and $5.0 million in Class A shares of restricted stock. Sharon O�Shea, e-Triage�s co-founder, president, and CEO, will continue to manage the company.
O�Shea said, �I am thrilled with this acquisition because it will open up new markets for e-Triage and Broadspire. E-Triage also has products that focus on disability, work, and home-related stress that can help people on short-term disability recover sooner so they don�t move on to long-term disability, preventing higher costs to employers.�
Broadspire ( www.choosebroadspire.com ), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crawford & Company, is a third-party administrator specializing in workers� compensation, medical management and integrated disability management services designed to increase employee productivity and contain costs. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Crawford & Company ( www.crawfordandcompany.com ) is the world�s largest independent provider of claims management solutions to insurance companies and self-insured entities with a global network of more than 700 offices in 63 countries. Major service lines include workers� compensation claims administration and healthcare management services, property and casualty claims management, class action services and risk management information services.
