The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it has selected MAXIMUS to replace Atos Healthcare as the provider of health related assessments including Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) for people off work through illness, disability or injury.
Once an assessment is completed by MAXIMUS, the DWP will use the information from the assessment to determine a person's level of support.
The provider will formally begin managing the service in March 2015 replacing Atos Healthcare, the previous supplier.
Atos had been allowed to exit its government contract early after a series of reported failures and an investigation by MPs.
MAXIMUS is a provider of government services worldwide and the health assessments will be delivered through the Company's UK subsidiary.
It was previously confirmed that MAXIMUS company's Health Management Limited will also provide occupational health advice and assessments for the Health and Work Service for employers.
Richard Montoni, chief executive of MAXIMUS said: "There are many challenges that will take some time to overcome. However, we believe that we have the clinical expertise and fresh approach that will reduce waiting times, improve clinical quality and deliver an improved customer experience."
Leslie Wolfe, president of MAXIMUS Health Services UK, said: "Whatever an individual's medical condition, the assessment process should be timely, respectful, fair and based on all the medical evidence.
"We know how stressful waiting can be so we will be hiring more healthcare professionals to reduce waiting times and get through the current backlog. We also understand that an individual's sickness or disability is profoundly significant to them. We plan to improve the claimant experience by expanding the number of specialists, including mental health champions, so that we can build a better understanding of how fluctuating medical conditions can be fairly reflected in the assessments.
"We will also spend more time engaging with people in advance of the assessment to ensure they are supported and can be as prepared as possible. This should improve the quality of the assessment by bringing more medical evidence to the table, as well as reducing the number of people who miss their appointments.
"Throughout, MAXIMUS will work closely with disability groups to ensure their expertise is brought to bear as we make the necessary improvements."
