Case managers to check on Socso claimants

To help reduce the number of fraudulent Socso claims, the Human Resources Ministry has called for case managers to manage the welfare of disability claimants.
Socso will need to hire over 100 case managers to handle some 2,700 claimants whose invalidity pensions were approved last year.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn said one case manager would handle 25 cases, the ratio used in Australia.
Case managers are to help the claimant secure employment after rehabilitation, and to counsel the claimant's family on their welfare.
In case of permanent disability, the case manager will have to check on the claimant at least once a year.
"Since we are paying compensation, it is also our duty to monitor their welfare," Fong said after his ministry's post-Cabinet meeting.
"Some claimants are bedridden or wheelchair- bound and are in need of psychological help or counselling. With case managers to follow cases, fraud is also less likely to occur."
This is the latest move by the ministry to address the abuse of Socso by healthy workers who claim disability benefits.
Fong said Socso would hire case managers trained in social work or psychology, including counsellors and therapists.
Socso will request an allocation from the Government and has been directed to begin hiring case managers immediately.
Fong said Socso district managers have been making irregular visits to disability claimants.
He said the ministry would take action against those who colluded — employers, doctors and medical boards endorsed by Socso — to abuse the fund.
"We are also looking at how we can get the money back," Fong said.
Since the New Straits Times exposed the scam, the ministry has ordered an investigation of the abuse and evaluate Socso's medical boards.
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