TORONTO (Nov. 17, 2011) – Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. is launching Crawford HealthWorks ADVANTAGE, an interview-based tool designed to speed return to work for injured and ill workers and reduce costs for employers, across the Canadian marketplace. Using dynamic decision support technology, Crawford HealthWorks ADVANTAGE can help detect and evaluate critical medical and psycho-social factors in workers’ compensation and non-occupational disability claims.
�HeathWorks ADVANTAGE uses more than 700 peer-reviewed research studies to create evidencebased criteria for evaluating psycho-social, family and work life issues. It goes beyond simply evaluating clinical matters. We can now identify the barriers that we might face in helping workers return to the job,� said Gary Gardner, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing. �It allows for an objective evaluation of often overlooked and previously subjective variables that can drive up claims costs.�
�The recommendations that HealthWorks ADVANTAGE produces are tailored for each claim and are based on specific responses in the interviews. They’re aimed at prompting specific actions or decisions by the adjuster,� said Heather Matthews, vice president, National Claims Management Centre. �This allows us to attack the �80/20′ rule on claims to achieve faster return to work outcomes, resulting in lower medical and indemnity costs for our customers.�
HealthWorks ADVANTAGE is currently being rolled out to Crawford’s workers’ compensation and non-occupational claims and disability management consultants in Canada. The Company also plans to adapt it to other lines of business, such as accident benefits, bodily injury, liability and more
About Crawford
Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Crawford & Company. Based in Atlanta, Ga., Crawford & Company (www.crawfordandcompany.com) is the world’s largest independent provider of claims management solutions to the risk management and insurance industry as well as self-insured entities, with an expansive global network serving clients in more than 70 countries. The Crawford System of Claims SolutionsSM offers comprehensive, integrated claims services, business process outsourcing and consulting services for major product lines including property and casualty claims management, workers compensation claims and medical management, and legal settlement administration. The Company’s shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbols CRDA and CRDB.
