The Manitoba Teachers' Society Disability Plan has been self insured, self administered, and self operated since 1995. Like most things, the plan is not the same as it was in 1995 and has made many changes since that time. It has developed a very unique and, in our opinion, very successful Case Management process. Staff for the plan will provide a synopsis of how claims are managed under our plan. It is distinct from what is common industry practice and perhaps can provide some different indeas/approaches to Case Management.
Panelists:
Glen Anderson is the Staff Officer for Benefit Plans at the Manitoba Teachers' Society and amongst the other plans, he and Ralph Ramore, the Department Head for the Disability Benefit Plans and the EAP program, advise on and oversee both the long and short term disability plans in terms of the Operations, Plan Document, Fianancials, Governance and Investments.
Ralph Ramore has worked in disability management for over 30 years working in a number of roles, including working for a large insurer, a large consulting practice as well as with the Manitoba Teachers' Society for the past 24 years. He is currently the Department Head for the Disability Benefit Plans and the EAP program.
Karen Wurr started her professional career as a physiotherapist, practicing in Winnipeg. She worked in private clinics and experienced the front line work of treating injured and ill workers. This vantage point lead to an interest in Disability Management and in 2004, she joined the Manitoba Teachers' Society Disability Benefits Plan as a Case Manager Over the past 14 years, she has managed a variety of both physical and psychological claims, using a biopsychosocial approach to rehabilitation and return-to-work recovery. Karen employs the progressive model of Case Management encouraged by the Manitoba Teachers' Society aimed at providing its' members with cost-effective, humanistic and comprehensive support through all phases of the Disability Management cycle.