Short-Term Disability (STD) Case Management
Early intervention influences recovery, claim duration, and successful return-to-work.
Dallas Mercer provides objective, evidence-based short-term disability (STD) adjudication and active case management throughout the absence. We assess entitlement, maintain meaningful communication, evaluate recovery and functional progress, identify and address barriers, and continually explore opportunities for safe, sustainable return-to-work—helping prevent short-term absences from becoming unnecessarily prolonged.
Case management considers applicable plan provisions, organizational policies, collective agreements, human rights obligations, and legislative requirements throughout the absence.
How We Manage STD Claims
STD Entitlement Assessment
Make timely, objective decisions.
Assess entitlement based on plan provisions, organizational policies, applicable collective agreements, and available medical and functional information.
Recovery & Case Management
Keep recovery moving forward.
Develop individualized case strategies, establish clear expectations, assess progress, and take timely action to move the claim toward recovery and resolution.
Medical & Functional Information Review
Understand recovery and capacity.
Obtain, review, and clarify relevant medical and functional information to support entitlement, accommodation, and return-to-work decisions.
Return-to-Work Planning
Keep everyone informed and aligned.
Maintain regular, proactive communication with employees, managers, insurers, healthcare providers, unions where applicable, and other stakeholders to clarify expectations, support timely decisions, and maintain momentum.
Human Rights & Accommodation Considerations
Recognize when further inquiry may be required.
Consider human rights obligations throughout the disability management process, including the duty to inquire and duty to accommodate where circumstances indicate they may apply.
Recovery Progress Assessment
Know when progress is on track.
Assess functional progress and available medical information against evidence-based disability duration guidelines to identify when additional information, clarification, or action may be required.
Barrier Identification & Resolution
Address what is delaying progress.
Identify medical, functional, psychosocial, workplace, and claim-specific barriers and determine appropriate strategies to address them.
Stakeholder Communication
Look for opportunities throughout the absence.
Identify early and ongoing opportunities for graduated, modified, or full return-to-work based on functional abilities and workplace requirements.
Transition Planning
Plan the appropriate next step.
Coordinate claim closure or transition to LTD, workplace accommodation, or another applicable leave process when required.
The Result: Fair and timely entitlement decisions, supported recovery, reduced disability duration, and stronger return-to-work outcomes.
“Our assigned disability management consultant has quickly gotten to know our organization, developed effective working relationships with key people and optimized necessary communications.”
— City of Fredericton