The LASER approach, used nationally by Coventry's case managers, focuses on identifying an individual's conflicting motivations through validated cognitive behavioral and motivational interviewing techniques. Once case managers are able to identify the emotional barriers to returning to a healthy lifestyle, they are able to recommend support mechanisms to help improve an injured worker's outlook and optimism about recovery.

"Appropriate for new and experienced case managers, this program is intended to arm case managers with enhanced tools to identify often intractable stumbling blocks to recovery and return to work earlier in the process," stated Dr. Lacroix, "the sooner these barriers are addressed the more success they may have getting the individual to a tipping point, beyond which return to work is more likely to follow."  

Simultaneously, Coventry launched a new Recovery Workbook to support the effectiveness of its LASER model.  "The Recovery Workbook is an interactive tool to better engage and empower injured workers in their recovery process," added Tammy Bradly, vice president clinical product development.  "As medical and indemnity severity trends continued to rise year over year, it had become clear that we needed an innovative strategy to drive better outcomes. By integrating our core medical and vocational case management competencies with cognitive-behavioral coaching techniques we are able to manage what is far too often unmanaged by the traditional practice of case management. Our LASER approach and Recovery Workbook support this strategic initiative."  

About Coventry Workers' Comp Services

Coventry Workers' Comp Services, a division of Coventry Health Care, Inc., is the leading provider of cost and care management solutions for property and casualty insurance carriers, (workers' compensation and auto insurers), third-party administrators and self-insured employers. We design best-in-class products and services to help our partners restore the health and productivity of injured workers and insureds as quickly and as cost effectively as possible. We accomplish this by developing and maintaining consultative, trusting partnerships with our clients and stakeholders, built on a foundation of innovative and customized solutions that support the claims management process. 

Go to www.coventrywcs.com for more information.