How HCB Helps
Unplanned absences happen. Acting earlier measurably improves the associated costs, claims, and outcomes.
HCB’s Clinical Case Managers partner with you to avoid or resolve issues before absence escalates, keeping people healthier, more productive, and connected to work.
Employers
Protect your people and your productivity
- Avert or shorten employee absences
- Support managers with employee engagement before absence occurs
- WHS psychosocial compliance – demonstrate support for workers
- Improve ROI on current wellness spend
Employee Benefits Consultants
Show measurable return on investment
- Manage the impact of GIP and Work Cover premiums
- Strengthen client retention through material outcomes and savings
- Integrate early intervention and activate your current support services, on demand.
Insurers
Reduce claim incidence and duration
- Avert absences and mitigate claim incidence
- Tangibly reduce claims cost with early, clinical intervention
- Increase claims management capacity
The HCB Group Difference
Through pre-absence engagement and earlier intervention, we avert or shorten absences before they become unnecessary claims or require medical treatment. Employers, insurers, and employees all benefit.
OH for small businesses
Client-Centred Pricing Model
No subscription or volume-based commitments. No conflicts of interest.
A key differentiator with the HCB Group solution is our unique pricing model which does not restrict the client to a contractual amount, subscription or per employee, per month charge. If you would like further information, please contact us.
Improved Outcomes
Fast, insightful reporting so you can measure and optimise what matters.
What Employers and Insurers Achieve with HCB
Our clients’ results show what is achieved when earlier clinical intervention, proactive support, and employer collaboration combine effectively.
HCB Australia delivers these same, proven outcomes to Australian employers and insurers at a time when workplace absence is rising and mental health challenges continue to escalate.
31% Averted Absence
HCB’s early clinical intervention averted absence in 31% of cases*.
66% Resolved Early
Two thirds of cases referred to HCB were resolved early, before becoming a claim.
>90% Return to Work
RTW rates of up to 96% when HCB is engaged within 4 weeks of absence.
3.4 x Outcomes
An insurer achieved 3.4 x better stay-at-work or RTW outcomes with HCB**.
*HCB UK aggregated employer and insurer data over 18 months (2024-25). **92% positive outcome achieved with HCB vs. 27% without HCB’s service.
Before and After HCB Group
When earlier intervention becomes part of your absence management strategy, everything changes. From employee experience to small business owner and manager confidence, to HR team workloads – the outcomes are clear and measurable.
Before HCB Group
Employees receive support once they’ve been absent for weeks or months, and issues are already medicalised.
Driven by a duty of care, workplace and relationship factors are overlooked in favour of medical treatment.
No single point of coordination for your HR team, leading to potential gaps and duplication.
Employees remain off work longer than clinically necessary because the root cause wasn’t identified early.
Lack of human support, “App fatigue”, and delayed communication or treatment, leaves both employees and employers feeling frustrated.
With HCB Group
Managers know exactly when and how to refer employees to HCB Group, often before absence begins.
Clinical Case Managers holistically identify and address health, psychosocial, and workplace factors.
One trusted partner collaboratively coordinates all aspects of support for both employee and employer.
More than 90% of employees return to work when HCB Group is engaged within four weeks of the initial, or day one absence.
Regular contact and clear communication give you confidence that the right things happen at the right time.
Why The Right Support Matters
Mental Health is at crisis point across the globe and Australia is no different. The majority of work place Income Protection claims have mental health at their core. There’s an urgent need for proactive, earlier intervention that correctly identifies psychosocial issues before they progress.
46%
Australian employees experiencing burnout
49%
Don’t feel safe discussing mental health at work
38.5 days
Per employee per year lost to mental health
$35b
Cost to economy of lost productivity and wages
What’s Missing in Employee Health & Wellbeing?
Your existing employee wellbeing program isn’t broken. It’s just missing a vital piece.
Corporate programs typically offer many resources, from wellness workshops, to EAP and rehab access. What’s missing are the tools, human engagement and expertise to take the right action earlier, either before absence occurs or as close as practical to day one.
HCB works with employers to normalise the early identification and support of employees at risk. Our Clinical Case Managers are trained to identify the real cause of potential or actual absence, not just the symptoms, and to guide the right action. We don’t deploy the medical model unless it’s necessary, resulting in fewer absences and improved RTW outcomes.
Without HCB’s proactive approach:
Existing wellness resources are under-utilised
Managers fear “saying the wrong thing” and delay intervention
Social issues are often medicalised, resulting in longer absences and excess costs
Employees receive medical treatment they don’t need, wasting scarce resources
A good absence recording tool won’t tangibly improve absenteeism
Work Cover and Salary Continuance premiums continue to rise“We chose to partner with HCB for its expertise in early intervention and supporting employees, while also having a clear understanding of managing employee health for the profitability of a business. HCB returned 86% of employees to work within 6 months.”
Ian Talbot, CEO, Healix Health Services
Activate your existing resources
We don’t replace your existing employee health resources. We activate them earlier, before problems escalate, and we won’t deploy the medical model unnecessarily. Our service integrates seamlessly with your existing Rehab, Employee Assistance Program, GP networks, psychology services, and occupational health resources. Increased uptake of existing services, combined with fewer absences, means better ROI on your wellbeing investment.
Referral from people and culture or team manager
Personalised navigation by HCB Clinical Case Manager
The right support activated earlier
Outcomes and insights reported and measured faster
HCB has proudly partnered with Metlife UK for 15 years. Read how HCB’s proactive approach has improved outcomes for small and large employers.
Keep people healthy, engaged, and at work
Ready to see how HCB Australia can help you dramatically improve the costs, claims, and outcomes associated with employee absence? Our team is here to discuss your specific challenges and explore how HCB can integrate with your current programs.
No subscriptions. Pay per use. Local Australian team.
HCB Group is an international provider of proactive absence management and earlier intervention services. We work in partnership with Employers, Employee Benefits Consultants, and Insurers to optimise the outcome of unplanned absences for all parties. HCB Australia is owned by HCB Group and operates nationally.