Filing an insurance claim? Ditch the paper

Recent survey results from Ipsos-Reid reveal that Canadian smartphone users have an average of 19 apps on their device. Although insurance companies offering group benefits have been slow to come to the table, several carriers have developed applications that will allow you to file health care claims and obtain health information on-the-go.

Here are several examples of recently announced mobile group benefits apps:

SSQ Mobile Service: A free application allows plan members insured with the company to submit group insurance claims using an iPhone or Android.  In addition, the app allows users to consult a summary of their last claim payment, consult an electronic version of their SSQ insurance card and contact the company with a single click.

Sun Life "mobilizes": Sun Life has announced the fall 2011 release of a mobile application for BlackBerry and iPhone. Group Plan members will be able to submit medical and dental claims for instant processing with money deposited to their accounts within 24 or 48 hours. Details of all submitted claims (both paper and electronic) will be visible online.

Group retirement savings clients will also be able to check their plan balances and recent contributions from their smartphones. In addition, they will be able to access three interactive financial tools.

Great West Life’s DrugHub: This free application for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch can be personalized with prescription information to help plan members manage their medications.

The app can also be used to help track information for aging parents, children etc. because it displays multiple prescriptions, issues reminders for multiple individuals about when to take medication, tracks dosages and flags when it is time to order refills.

Another attractive feature of DrugHub is that it provides access to an extensive library of drug information including drug interactions and side effects, reference tools for each drug and numerous physician reviewed drug articles.

Morneau Shepell’s My EAP: My EAP (employee assistance plan) is available for the Apple and RIM family of mobile devices. An Android version will appear later this year. It delivers interactive tools, support resources and access to EAP services. Clients can access health and wellness articles; e-counselling; and, on-demand video clips.

Also see: Can an app change retirement savings behaviour?  and These car insurance apps speed up claims .