Advancing Mental Health in Insurance
Enhancing advocacy, education, and accessibility in coverage
RGA recognizes the insurance industry’s opportunity to drive improvements in mental health inclusion, delivery, and support. Our 2023 Global Mental Health Survey revealed the urgent need for a collective industry action – one that champions advocacy, education, and research.
We continue to advance our approach to these complex conditions by: Adapting underwriting guidelines to incorporate research and data insights to improve coverage eligibility Evolving claims practices to enhance mental health claims management Curating specialized mental health resources, incorporating the latest research, to increase knowledge and capabilities across the insurance industry. Here, you’ll gain access to a growing library of targeted resources and refined approaches to underwriting and claims management. We take a holistic approach, rooted in the latest research and data-driven insights, to recognize the unique complexities presented by an individual’s history. Join us in championing mental health.
What's new
The Claims Mental Health Toolkit provides claims assessors with research-supported education and claims solutions to strengthen case management and better support claimants. Empower your team to provide informed, compassionate claims experiences for those navigating mental health conditions.
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From time to time, all of us experience symptoms such as sadness or stress, but for some individuals these symptoms become prolonged and severe enough to impact both function and health. This new Learning Gateway module is designed to provide learners with the common definitions, classifications, and terminology used in the field of mental health and is suitable for junior underwriting and claims staff (2-5 years of experience).
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©2024, Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior permission of the publisher. For requests to reproduce in part or entirely, please contact: publications@rgare.com. RGA has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided in this publication is accurate at the time of inclusion and accepts no liability for any inaccuracies or omissions. None of the information or opinions contained in this publication should be construed as constituting medical advice.
Claims Mental Health Toolkit
RGA’s Dr. Sheetal Salgaonkar explores the growing evidence linking metabolic syndrome and psychiatric conditions. Dual-purpose treatments can enable insurers to provide more targeted and effective solutions, potentially reducing long-term costs associated with chronic comorbidities
Training: Mental Health Concepts
Weight off your mind: The Metabolic Mental Health Connection.
Coming soon
November 13 and 20, 2024
What to expect: Client Webinars Dive deeper into RGA’s mental health advancements and how they can benefit your business
What to expect: Claims Training (available via Pathfinder) Understanding the Role of Personality Managing the Impacts of Personality Understanding the Role of Resilience Take10 podcast series
November 26, 2024
What to expect: Medical Research Resilience and the Impacts on Mental Health Underwriting Training (available via Learning Gateway) Mood disorders
December 2, 2024
What to expect: Global Underwriting Manual Updates Anxiety Depression ADHD Self-harm/suicide attempt New Mental Health Toolkit Content Understanding the Impact of Substance Misuse Understanding Delayed Recovery Mental Health Literacy Client Webinars Dive deeper into Global Underwriting Manual’s mental health updates
January 27, 2025
In a study of 9.2 million individuals, RGA used advanced statistical modeling to analyze the heightened mortality risks linked to anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, providing insurers with valuable insights for underwriting and product development for those with mental health conditions.
RGA Study: The connection between mental health disorders and all-cause mortality
Explore biopsychosocial factors influencing mental health management in our new podcast series. Amid rising global conditions and disability claims, insurers aim to train claims teams for expert handling. Episodes on Resilience and Personality are now available.
Mental Health Claims Podcast Series
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Log in to the Global Claims Manual/Guide to access the Mental Health Toolkit
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One-stop resource for claims assessors evaluating and managing mental health claims.
To strengthen case management and better support claimants, the Claims Mental Health Toolkit provides claims assessors with research supported education and claims solutions. Empower your team to provide informed, compassionate claims experiences for those navigating mental health conditions.
Mental health toolkit
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Claims assessors play a vital role in supporting the wellness of claimants and, where appropriate, assisting their recovery and rehabilitation. As part of our commitment to mental health, we are equipping claims assessors with the resources necessary to manage mental health claims experiences.
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Anxiety Disorder
Guidelines to address anxiety disorder include an updated simplified risk classification table, simplified exclusion wordings for better risk assessment, and an aggressive underwriting rating recommendation for life and living benefits.
Log in to the Global Underwriting Manual for guidance on 800+ medical conditions and occupational/avocational risks.
Global Underwriting Manual Updates - coming soon!
Underwriters play a pivotal role in implementing new approaches to holistically assess mental health risk. Updated guidelines on anxiety, depression, ADHD, and self-harm/suicide attempt are coming soon to provide underwriters with information to navigate the complexities of these conditions.
Depressive Disorder
Introducing updates to underwriting depressive disorder providing user friendly underwriting rating recommendations for life and living benefits. You will also find an updated simplified risk classification table and simplified exclusion wordings for better risk assessment.
Self-harm
Meet the experts
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Training and Resources
UNDERWRITING
Psychiatric Diagnosis and the Mental State Exam
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Underwriting Course
Mental Health Training and Resources
When it comes to mental health issues, education and research are critical to reducing stigma, which can then influence the evolution of claims and underwriting practices, ultimately leading to expanded eligibility and enhanced coverage. This, in turn, creates greater access to mental health services for those in need. Explore our curated hub of training, specialized research, articles, and podcasts delivering expert insights into mental health trends and best practices for comprehensive support.
Weight off your mind: The Metabolic Mental Health Connection
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Behavioral science techniques can help facilitate return-to-work after a temporary disability and are particularly effective during a mental-health leave. RGA’s Peter Hovard explains how to best incorporate these behavioral science techniques
Using Behavioral Science to Help Claimants Return to Work
RGA’s Leigh Allen and Dr. Peter Farvolden talk about the impact and treatment of eating disorders, including diagnosis changes, frequent comorbidities, and the outlook for treatment and recovery.
Exploring the Complex Realities and Treatment Challenged of Eating Disorders
Resources
The appropriate psychiatric diagnosis is not simply a matter of checking off a set of DSM or ICD criteria. This course provides insight into the systematic approach employed by mental health professionals in applying diagnostic terms to the patients and claimants who we assess. It is suitable for all levels of experience.
Mental Health Concepts
This is the second article of a four-part series that will also include an overview and articles exploring the survey’s implications for underwriting and claims.
RGA Global Mental Health Survey Part II: Product Development
This is the first article of a four-part series that will explore the implications of findings from RGA’s 2023 Global Mental Health survey on product development, underwriting, and claims.
RGA Global Mental Health Survey Part I: Overview
By promoting neurodiversity and offering simple accommodations, employers can engage with neurodivergent professionals and tap into their unique and highly valuable skillsets - particularly those that could benefit the insurance industry.
Advancing neurodiversity as a competitive advantage in the workplace
As the need for mental health services and associated insurance coverage increases, the quest for solutions becomes more urgent. Psychedelics may be part of the solution.
The Emerging Use of Psychedelic Substances
Mental health claims are complex and rarely fit into constructs. The ability to identify these nuances enhances credibility with claimants, employers, and treatment teams. This article explores actionable insights in the area of claims management.
RGA Global Mental Health Survey Part IV: Claims
Expansion of mental health cover will require significant changes to underwriting policies and approaches. This article explores how underwriters will play a critical role in the development of new products, practices and processes that take into consideration the complex presentation of mental health conditions.
RGA Global Mental Health Survey Part III: Underwriting
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Post-pandemic, more workers worldwide report suffering from burnout, and it is likely the numbers will continue to rise. Hilary Henly discusses that, though burnout is not yet recognized medically, employers and insurers alike must look for new ways to support those on long-term sick leave in their efforts to return to work.
Feel the Burn
The insurance industry is making a concerted effort worldwide to address the ongoing problems associated with mental health. This includes identifying consumer needs, developing programs, and refining products.
Insurance Industry Moves Forward on Mental Health Product Trends Around the World 3Q 2024
Substance use issues often arise alongside mental health conditions, complicating disability claims. To understand more about this challenging intersection, we spoke with RGA’s Dr. Georgiana Wilwerth. During our interview, we explore the clinical and practical considerations around co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders...
Mental Health Claims: The Impact of Alcohol and Substance Use
Meet Dr. Peter Favolden, RGA's mental health expert who has extensive experience researching personality and its influence on mental health. In this discussion, we explore how a person’s unique personality traits play a pivotal role in the development of and recovery from their mental health condition.
Mental Health Claims: Understanding the Role of Personality
Hear Vice President and Head of Global Medical, Dr Adela Osman discuss RGA’s research into resilience, and share her professional insights on the role of resilience in mental health, along with key considerations for claims assessors in evaluating its impact.
Mental Health Claims: Understanding the Role of Resilience
Meet our collective team of medical, underwriting, and claims experts dedicated to providing educational resources and strategic advice that strengthen your approach to mental health. We are committed to investing in expertise and ongoing education to help the industry navigate this complex landscape.
Mental Health Toolkit
Dr. Adela Osman
Vice President, Head of Global Medical
BIO
Akhilesh Pandey
Associate Director, Global Underwriting, Manual Research
Gayle Kanchanapume
Executive Director, Value Added Specialist, Global Claims
Dr. Adela Osman is Vice President and Head of Global Medical for RGA. In this role, she provides strategic medical leadership worldwide for RGA. Previously, Dr. Osman was Chief Medical Research Officer for RGA South Africa. With extensive expertise across key insurance domains including claims, underwriting, product development, and legal consulting, she delivers valued guidance on complex medical issues. Her specialized training with the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners, equips her to act as an independent examiner and expert scientific witness. Before entering the insurance industry, Dr. Osman gained clinical experience serving as a Medical Officer in hospitals and working at a private practice focused on family health. She graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Witwatersrand. Currently, Dr. Osman is a Board Member and President Elect of The International Committee for Insurance Medicine.
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Akhilesh Pandey is Associate Director of Underwriting Research and Manual Development and a member of RGA’s Global Underwriting team. Akhilesh develops and publishes research-based underwriting guidelines for RGA's Global Underwriting Manual for Mortality and Morbidity benefits. Akhilesh also writes and shares internal and external communication materials related to the manual and provides training to RGA offices on various medical and non-medical underwriting topics. Akhilesh earned his FALU and FLMI designations in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from NCRD Sterling Institute of Pharmacy in Mumba
Gayle Kanchanapume is Executive Director, Value Added Specialist, Global Claims at RGA. In this role Gayle focuses on initiatives that develop the claims skillset of industry professionals and advance claims management capabilities. She has over 25 years of specialized expertise in the insurance and reinsurance life claims market in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Leveraging her extensive background, Gayle provides unique insights to elevate claims management best practices.
Dr. Georgiana Willwerth
Vice President and Medical Director
Jennie Calder Brown
Executive Director, Global Claims Research and Training
John Cardus
Vice President, Head of Underwriting Manual Development
Georgiana Willwerth-Pascutiu, M.D., is Vice President and Medical Director at RGA and a member of RGA’s Global Medical Team. Dr. Willwerth is board certified in Insurance Medicine by the American Academy of Insurance Medicine (AAIM) and specializes in internal medicine, nephrology, and ultrasonography. She is past president and scientific chair of the Canadian Life Insurance Medical Officers Association (CLIMOA) and vice-chair of the Board of Insurance Medicine. She is a frequent industry presenter and contributor to industry publications. Her interests are the mortality impacts of climate change, global morbidity and mortality trends arising from substance use disorders and addiction, and COVID-19.
Jennie Calder Brown is Executive Director of Global Claims Research and Training at RGA, developing claims tools, training materials, and publications globally. With over 20 years of claims expertise in reinsurance and direct insurance, Jennie leverages her deep knowledge to promote claims best practices and risk management across RGA. Since joining RGA in 2009, she has been dedicated to developing the claims skillset of industry professionals worldwide.
John Cardus is Vice President, Head of Underwriting Manual Development, at RGA. John has more than 25 years of underwriting experience, with roles at insurance and reinsurance companies across a number of markets in Europe and Asia. John previously served as Chief Underwriter & Head of Claims for RGA Hong Kong. An active member of the underwriting profession, John has presented at numerous industry events and is an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Marilda Kotze
Vice President, Global Head of Claims
Dr. Peter Farvolden
Mental Health Consultant
Dr. Sheetal Salgaonkar
Vice President, Global Medical Director
Stephanie Williams
Vice President, Head of Global Underwriting and Claims
Marilda Kotze is Vice President, Global Head of Claims and Client Solutions for RGA and part of the Global Support Team. In this role, she is responsible for supporting RGA global offices in delivering high-quality claims services to local clients. With over 25 years of experience across insurance sectors, primarily in local and international reinsurance, Marilda brings deep industry knowledge to her role. She has represented RGA on various industry committees during her career including ASISA Claims Standing Committee and the ASISA Underwriting and Claims Conference. Marilda holds a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.
Vice President, Global Head of Claims and Client Solutions
As a member of RGA’s Global Medical team, Dr. Peter Farvolden collaborates with RGA’s teams around the world to provide clients with insights and strategies around mental health. Dr. Farvolden has worked for 25 years as a researcher, clinician, and administrator in a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient settings across Canada. Dr. Farvolden is a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, the Canadian Psychological Association, the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and the Ontario Psychological Association. He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, a B.Sc. in Psychology, and a B.A. in Philosophy, all from the University of Waterloo.
Dr. Sheetal Salgaonkar, RGA's Vice President and Global Medical Director, specializes in underwriting and claims consultation, product development, and training for underwriters and claim assessors globally. Contributing to underwriting guidelines and curriculums for insurance education, she brings experience as a former intensivist and Chief Medical Officer at ICICI Prudential. Based in India, Dr. Sheetal is a certified MD, a Diplomat of Board of Insurance Medicine, and the 2022 Charles A. Will Award recipient for her outstanding FALU exam performance.
Stephanie Williams is Vice President, Head of Global Underwriting and Claims, a multi-discipline, globally dispersed team that delivers key client and internal underwriting and claims initiatives, including RGA's Global Underwriting Manual (GUM), Claims Manual, and Learning Gateway, our client underwriting training platform. With extensive global experience, Stephanie has led teams across multiple functions, including underwriting, claims, technology, and administration, in the Life and Health reinsurance industry. She is a seasoned global leader with RGA tenure spanning UK, Asia, and U.S., and she is adept at strategy, risk management, and championing inclusiveness.
GUM Updates
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