Back-Up supports government’s primary care strategy delivering services in the community.
Dublin, Wed, 16th May 2012: Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited today launched Back-Up, a pioneering primary care initiative to tackle back and neck pain through early intervention, clinical case management and physiotherapy treatment, it is endorsed by over 155 chartered physiotherapists nationwide. The new service – the first of its kind offered by health insurers in Ireland – supports the Government’s Primary Care Strategy to deliver care in the community, by providing fast access to a personalised and tailored treatment programme for eligible Aviva Health members who develop acute back and neck pain. Back pain affects an estimated 80% of the Irish population; with Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) the most commonly reported cause of work-related ill health in Ireland.
The Minister for Health and Children, Dr James Reilly, T.D., officially launched Back-Up at Aviva Stadium today, where he welcomed this primary care initiative. Back-Up fits with the key aims of the Government’s Primary Care Strategy which seeks to promote the development of services in the community to give direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary primary care teams, consisting of general practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others. The launch follows the Minister’s recent decision to make a special allocation of €20 million to primary care services to allow for the recruitment of key front line posts including an additional 300 primary care staff.
Speaking at the launch of Back-Up at Aviva Stadium, Minister Reilly said, “I very much welcome this innovative case management initiative which provides advice on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for neck and back pain. It complements this Government’s policy of strengthening primary care services and ensuring that, to the greatest extent possible, care needs are met in the primary care setting. Our aim is to provide up to 95% of health and social care services in local communities and this will be achieved by increasing activity in the primary care setting and redirecting health services away from acute hospitals to the community. I am confident that this initiative can play a part in achieving this aim.”
Mick Furlong, Managing Director of Aviva Health commented that, “This primary care cost saving initiative has the potential to reduce Aviva Health’s back surgery related claims costs, by treating the problem early with physiotherapy in the primary care environment. We expect that Back-Up will reduce the need for surgery in the longer term and generate a saving for both Aviva Health and by default our members. Our sister company in the UK has offered the award-winning Back-Up service since 2009, with over 25,000 people availing of the service, resulting in welcome savings for Aviva Health customers in the cost of spine and neck claims.”’
Former Ireland and Munster rugby player, Jerry Flannery, who is studying a master’s degree in Sports Performance, also attended the launch to highlight the importance of early intervention and his ‘pre-hab’ ethos when dealing with back pain. He said, “Retiring from international rugby due to injury was incredibly frustrating, because I love playing rugby and I just couldn’t play. People need to be pro-active – if something feels off, address it, and deal with it straight away before it gets any worse. Problems like back pain can have a knock-on effect on other areas of the body, therefore it’s key to avail of Aviva’s Back-Up programme early before the problem gets biggeriv.”
Aviva is the only health insurer in Ireland to offer the Back-Up service, which is available from today (May 16th) to all Aviva health customersv. Customers, who access the specialist back and neck care programme, will speak to a dedicated clinical case manager who conducts a triage over the phone and offers practical advice and support to the member. Where required, the case manager will refer the person for physiotherapy treatment to one of over 155 chartered physiotherapists across the country who specialise in back and neck treatment. Aviva Back-Up will be provided in partnership with Health and Case Management Ltd. (HCML), a leading rehabilitation organisation and the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP).
Sean Egan, Chief Executive of Aviva Ireland, said, “Back-Up is available from today to all Aviva health customers on all hospital and combined plans without any waiting periods. Aviva is the only health insurer in Ireland to offer such a unique service. With Back-Up, Aviva Health is the first insurer to offer customers a truly personalised, expert-led service, tailored to the person’s exact needs. Evidence shows that tailoring treatment and early intervention has a far better outcome for all parties – the individual recovers quicker, employers benefit from reduced absenteeism costs and medical insurance claims costs are reduced.”
“Aviva is also very pleased that our Back-Up service complements the Minister’s and the HSE’s objective of ensuring that people are treated, as far as possible, within a primary care setting, with hospital admission being the exception rather than the norm. Aviva Health is currently developing further primary care initiatives, which aim to give our customers the highest levels of care and help maintain the affordability of private health insurance,” added Egan.
Chartered physiotherapist, Margaret Hanlon, Vice President of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapy said, “Acute back pain can have a debilitating effect on quality of life and getting the right advice and treatment for back and neck pain from the start is critical to prevent back pain from developing or reoccurring. Aviva Back-Up is a cost effective solution for Aviva members, providing them with fast access to a team of experts to immediately deal with acute pain. Customers will receive a telephone consultation within two hours and a physiotherapy session with a chartered physiotherapist within two days, when necessary, to ensure that the pain and the causal factors can be dealt with straight away.”
For more information on Aviva Back-Up speak to your BDM or call our Broker Support on 1890 716 716.
Visits the Back-Up Saleszone here to access all you need to promote Back Up to your clients.
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