HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Hartford, the No. 2 workers’ compensation and group disability insurer1, has appointed Dr. Adam Seidner, MD, MPH, to the role of chief medical officer. Reporting to John Kinney, the company’s chief claims officer, Seidner will be responsible for leading The Hartford’s medical strategy and policy across all lines of business with a particular focus on workers’ compensation and disability management.

“The Hartford is dedicated to helping our customers recover following an injury or illness and return to work as quickly as possible,” said Kinney. “Dr. Seidner is a highly-regarded medical expert with vast experience across the medical and insurance fields. His expertise combined with our use of data and analytics will be instrumental as we continue to utilize our strengths across workers’ comp and Group Benefits to develop innovative ways to drive better claim outcomes.”

Seidner will lead the company’s efforts in medical innovation, training and programs. This includes The Hartford’s opioid management strategy and the development and expansion of unique programs like iRECOVER?,the company’s coaching programthat uses data to identify claimants at risk of delayed recovery and helps to get them back on track. Through the use of data and analytics, a drug review program and offering alternatives to opioids for pain management, The Hartford has reduced the use of opioids among its workers’ compensation claimants by almost 40 percent since 2015.

“I am excited to join The Hartford, a company with a reputation for always putting the customer first and a constant drive to improve the claims experience,” Seidner said. “I look forward to working with the claims, workers’ comp and Group Benefits teams to find unique and innovative new ways to expand and complement existing medical and leave management strategies.”

Previously, Seidner was global medical director for Travelers Insurance, where he was responsible for medical policy development, quality assurance and improvement and worksite health promotion. Prior to joining Travelers, he was owner and chief health advisor at Medical Meetinghouse.

Seidner earned a doctor of medicine degree from SUNY Health Science Center, a master’s degree in public health from the University of Connecticut, and an A.B. in Anthropology from Hamilton College. He is board certified by the American Board of Family Practice and the Board of Preventative Medicine: Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

1At close of The Hartford’s acquisition of Aetna’s U.S. group life and disability business, which is expected in early November 2017, based on in-force master contracts, certificates, total premiums collected as of Dec. 31, 2016, and annualized premiums; source: LIMRA.

About The Hartford

The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at https://www.thehartford.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheHartford_PR.