Advances in artificial intelligence and other technology could help life insurers address the growth in mental health claims, according to Konnect NET Australia head Sam Liebert.  

Mr Liebert tells insuranceNEWS.com.au Konnect NET has been working to provide insurers with aggregated medical information on their customers – with appropriate consent processes – to enable faster claims processing.  

The software company’s platform can facilitate pre-populated insurer forms, reducing time spent on manual data entry and the likelihood of errors.

“Insurers consistently report shorter turnaround times and lower medical information costs when using Konnect NET,” Mr Liebert said.  

“The quality and completeness of data also lead to more accurate risk assessment and better customer experiences. Several of our clients have seen improved acceptance rates and measurable [return on investment] – particularly because of our emphasis on secure, consent-based communication.”  

Mr Liebert says the technology is particularly relevant when dealing with complex mental health claims, as patients often face secondary issues that complicate recovery efforts.  

Mental health claims are a challenge for the industry, with insurers paying out $2.2 billion last year, according to the Council of Australian Life Insurers.  

Mr Liebert said: “Our role is to ensure insurers have the right information at every decision point, providing data that supports fair, informed and compassionate case management.

“With structured and repeatable data requests, insurers can track what works and refine their rehabilitation pathways over time.”  

He says Konnect NET’s technology is “AI-agnostic”, allowing insurers to integrate their own models or rules engines to process the data provided.

Konnect NET expanded into the Australian market last year and offers services through its SureMed and SureSmart platforms. It is backed by Irish technology and services group Clanwilliam.