L&G released the final part of its third Chief Medical Officer (CMO) report, looking at how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in group protection.
The report included views from partners working in prevention, early intervention and vocational rehabilitation, as well as a detailed interview with Swiss Re.
Experts said AI is already supporting employee assistance programmes by matching staff with clinicians, and is being used in virtual GP and physiotherapy services to predict conditions and help people follow treatment plans.
There is also AI running in virtual cancer support, analysing data to spot patterns and suggest interventions to help prevent cancer, manage chronic illnesses and support return to work.
Doug Rix, head of global underwriting research and development at Swiss Re, and Keith Williams, head of group risk UK and Ireland, discussed how AI has been adopted so far, what’s likely to happen next, and the need to keep public trust.
The report also covered how claims are handled, how employees use wellbeing services, and the impact of regulation.
Chronic condition management was highlighted as key for group income protection (GIP).
L&G looked at how digital tools and AI can help staff self-manage long-term conditions, using data from the CONNECTPlus app by HCI.
It also investigated how AI is being used for real-time support and to analyse anonymised data to help manage health across the workforce.
Dr Tarun Gupta (pictured), CMO for UK protection at L&G, said: “Chronic condition management represents an area of GIP that is not well discussed.
“But it should be, because it’s about helping more employees self-manage their conditions, take control of their lives, stay in good work and thrive.
“In other words, it’s entirely aligned with the philosophy that underpins L&G’s GIP proposition.”
Gupta added: “It’s also here that I personally, as an Occupational Health Physician, see some of the most exciting current developments and future possibilities, in terms of AI.
“With an ageing population and more individuals living with chronic conditions, there’s a growing consensus that workplace health and wellbeing strategies should adopt digital tools to deliver personalised support and proactive interventions.
“For example, enabling better self-management of conditions like hypertension or diabetes could reduce cardiovascular complications and preserve function.”
He said: “This fourth and final instalment of our digital-health inspired CMO report investigates this and much more.
“So, whether you’re worried, excited or simply confused about the current and future possibilities of AI for the Group Protection industry, it should prove a fascinating read.”
