Since every employer is different, a solution that works for one company might not be best for another. Documenting the employer’s specific requirements is the first critical step. Next is conducting a request for information (RFI) or request for proposal (RFP) to compare carrier, third-party administrator (TPA), or technology company capabilities in a comprehensive manner. Some companies may use a broker or consultant, and they will provide tools and templates to leverage in this process. There are also many resources available through DMEC that can be helpful along the way, such as:

• The RFP and Vendor Selection Guide that describes the steps to take and provides a checklist that prompts key questions
• The Technology & Integration edition of @Work magazine published in January 2019 that includes several articles on how technology is being used for absence management
• The Vendor Resource Directory that lists the brokers, consultants, insurance carriers, TPAs, and technology companies that focus on absence management

These tools should be used to complement and add to your process, as nothing can replace the detailed comparison and consideration of cultural “fit” that is gained from an RFI/RFP bidding process.