Income protection insurance is a financial safety net. It pays a percentage of wages, for a set period, if the person is unable to work due to a sudden illness or injury.
Income protection policies are purchased by an individual to protect their income or may be a component of a person’s superannuation policy. Each income protection policy has its own definition of partial or total disability that must be met before a claim is made.
Policies vary according to what health and rehabilitation services they will cover.
Support with vocational activities
Some income protection policies will fund vocational activities. Income protection insurers may engage a vocational provider from their provider panel rather than a VIP provider.
Due to policy variations, the client is encouraged to contact their insurer to clarify their specific entitlements. Clients receiving a payment from an income protection policy may also be eligible for additional support through a Disability Employment Services program.
Insurance funded referral pathways steps
- Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program (BIRP) clinician contacts insurer to confirm support for vocational services
- Option 1: Case manager obtains quote for return to work with a new employer or same employer service and submits to insurer for approval
- Option 2: Vocational provider submits quote to insurer for approval
- BIRP clinician provides referral information to vocational provider following approval of services
- For Lifetime Care cleints with a new employer, the first page of the Work Options Plan form is completed and provided to the provider with other referral information
- Client and BIRP clinician attend joint initial meeting with vocational provider
- Vocational provider discusses the outcome of assessment and recommendations with client and BIRP clinician prior to submitting report to insurer
- BIRP clinician and provider maintain regular contact to provide a collaborative approach