CASE STUDY

MILLER HEALTH MANAGEMENT

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Address - Client Services • Miller Health Management • Worton Park • Cassington • Nr OXFORD • OX29 4SX

CASE STUDY 2

Permanent Health Insurance Claim Reinstated: able to undertake Other Work

Background

	37-year old investment banker, working in emerging markets.
	Employee perfectionist by nature - liked control.
	Suffered from irritable bowel syndrome.
	Employee became stressed due to work related pressures.
	Covered by Permanent Health Insurance [Permanent Health Insurance] for employees with absence of more than 26 weeks.

Presenting Symptoms at work

	Downturn in the market: difficulty achieving targets.
	Started to have trouble with bowel condition and become stressed; panic attacks at the railway station and when dressing for work.
	Corporate culture discouraged admission of any ill health for fear of not getting bonus.
	Stayed at work coping with symptoms for 5 more months: after getting bonus, went off sick.

Employer's and Employee’s Viewpoints

	Employer’s application for Permanent Health Insurance disallowed despite letter from gastroenterologist and psychiatrist.
	Employee had panic attacks and subsequently could not communicate directly with employer. Since she felt she had a genuine illness, was upset at denial of Permanent Health Insurance.
	Her boss initially demonstrated a caring attitude about her ill health.

Occupational Health Intervention

	Occupational physician liaised with GP, psychiatrist and gastroenterologist.
	Report by occupational physician sent to Permanent Health Insurance provider and Permanent Health Insurance then reinstated.
	Close liaison continued between GP, occupational physician and psychiatrist (using cognitive therapy).
	Four months allowed to review progress of interventions and decide the employee's future fitness for work.

Outcome

	Likely to be fit for work - but not for her current job.
	Permanent Health Insurance provider confirmed financial package for employee, enabling employer to terminate employment whilst allowing employee the opportunity to undertake other appropriate work.