In today's weak economic environment companies are adjusting by slowing production, transferring operations to other locations, discontinuing operations and services, reducing staff and even closing facilities. When these company actions occur, there is a greater risk of the following employee actions, which can impact a company's workers' compensation, general liability and product liability insurance premiums and cost of business for many years. When people are laid off, for example, fraud incidents increase. Twenty-four percent of Americans believe it is alright to overstate insurance claims, e.g. claiming two sets of golf clubs in the trunk when their car is stolen. This is called padding the claims or making up a deductible and it increases 22% to 40% during times of economic strain. Four things that qualify as fraud 1. Someone must make a false representation. 2. Misrepresentation of the material, made with knowledge of or reckless disregard for the truth. 3. Misrepresentation made with the intent of inducing the other party to act or refrain from acting which results in the other party purchasing the good or service. 4. Actions must result in damages. How big is the fraud problem in the U.S.? 1. Costs the United States $80 billion annually. 2. Each family pays $950 extra to cover fraud costs. What is the difference between hard fraud and soft fraud? 1. Hard fraud is deliberate attempt to either stage or invent an accident, event, injury, theft, fire or other type of loss such as planning to stage a fall at work in order to collect workers' compensation benefits. (workersxzcompxzkit) 2. Soft fraud is when the opportunity for fraud occurs when the policy holder or claimant exaggerates a legitimate claim, such as claiming prior damages to a car after an accident that caused different damages. TO DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN TO FREE AUDIO PODCAST click here: http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/mp3 By: Anthony Van Gorp, private investigator with 25 years experience.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers' Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers' comp issues.
©2009 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com �
The role of Injury Coordinator (IC)(a.k.a. Return-to-Work Coordinator) is pivotal to a well-managed workers’ compensation program. It is crucial the injury coordinator’s job functions are well understood by everyone on the work comp implementation team and by top management.
The Injury Coordinator is responsible for and manages 6 areas:
1. Implements and maintains high quality policies and procedures to be followed by the company, TPA, broker, and other vendors to effectively manage all injury costs.
2. Manages TPA relationship and ensure effective TPA service delivery in all states including monopolistic states.
3. Ensures accuracy and adequacy of all case reserves.
4. Works closely with legal department, directly monitoring litigated claims.
5. Schedules and conducts regular audits of TPA performance of workers’ compensation.
6. Provides CFO, Risk Manager, and Division Management with appropriate management information, including analysis of significant trends or problem areas.
The Ideal Candidate Has These 7 Qualities:
1. A minimum of 5 years workers’ compensation claims experience, gained within a corporate risk management department, an insurance carrier, or TPA.
2. Excellent working knowledge of RMIS systems.
3. Well developed report writing and presentation skills.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills. (workersxzcompxzkit)
5. Excellent computer skills including Access, Excel, Word.
6. Ability to interface at all levels within a large, multi-state corporation and with external professional advisors.
7. Professional designations such as AIC, ARM, CPCU
Select a strong leader with sufficient time to dedicate to the project – 90% - as a first step toward the goal of work comp cost containment. The claims management component of your new program provides an organized and pre-planned process monitoring injured employees from the time they are injured until they return to work at full duty capacity. (workersxzcompxzkit)
Effective management of workers’ comp claims changes the dynamic of how many companies handle claims. In the past, employees were on their own and easily became confused by medical, legal, personal, and other influences. It’s tough being injured and out of work without the additional worries about money and one’s job. Employers must support injured workers as they recover and help them return to full duty.
While cost reduction IS important and requires close monitoring, caring for injured employees is equally important.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
FREE podcast Preventing Fraud: 53 minutes. Downloadble directly to Media Player or MP3> Click here: DOWNLOAD NOW: http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/mp3/
Speaker: Anthony Van Gorp, Private Investigator at Investigative Solutions & Consulting Services, Inc.
WC Calculator: www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/calculator.php
WC 101: www.ReduceYourWorkersComp.com/workers_comp.php
Follow Us On Twitter: www.twitter.com/WorkersCompKit
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers’ comp issues.
©2009 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com
The Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) of New Foundland and Labrador is ramping up efforts to address occupational disease issues through the creation of an Occupational Disease Advisory Panel (ODAP), to oversee and “address the government’s action plan” on matters relating to occupational disease.
The WHSCC said this new initiative will “broaden the medical and scientific knowledge available to the commission, which is necessary to determine entitlement to compensation for workers and families impacted by occupational disease.” Members of the new ODAP include: George Kean, worker representative; Elizabeth Forward, employer representative, and; commission chair Ralph Tucker.
“The awarding of fair and reasonable compensation to workers and families impacted by occupational disease is a priority for the WHSCC and for the government of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Tucker.
The WHSCC also announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), a research firm specializing in the area of occupational health and safety.
“Occupational disease is a complex issue, with decisions regarding compensation requiring expertise from the global medical and scientific community, and we have begun the process of acquiring that information,” said Leslie Galway, WHSCC’s chief executive officer.
Following an assessment of the occupational disease issues currently being addressed by the WHSCC, the ODAP approved a medical and scientific review of the literature pertaining to cancer among shipyard workers, which will be completed by the IRSST. According to the WHSCC statement, the Commission is currently finalizing contractual arrangements with the IRSST for the completion of this work.
The creation of the ODAP and new partnership with the IRSST “allows for the transfer of key medical and scientific knowledge to the WHSCC, health care professionals and other parties in the province, with an interest in occupational disease, WHSCC said.
“This initiative represents a proactive, knowledge-based approach that will give us access to the best scientific and medical advice and evidence available to support the timely and effective resolution of claims for occupational disease,” said Galway. (workersxzcompxzkit)
The WHSCC serves over 16,000 employers and about 12,000 injured workers. It is an employer-funded, no-fault insurance system promoting safe and healthy workplaces, provides return-to-work programs and fair compensation to injured workers and their dependents.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
VIEW A FREE podcast Preventing Fraud: 53 minutes. Downloadble directly to Media Player or MP3> Click here: DOWNLOAD NOW: http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/mp3/
Speaker: Anthony Van Gorp, Private Investigator at Investigative Solutions & Consulting Services, Inc.
FREE TOOLS:
WC Calculator: www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/calculator.php
WC 101: www.ReduceYourWorkersComp.com/workers_comp.php
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers’ comp issues.
©2009 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com
Preventing Fraudulent Workers’ Compensation Claims
As the economy weakens, companies face a greater risk in fraud and abuse impacting workers’ compensation, general liability and product liability insurance premiums over time. In turn, a rise is seen in:
1. Reporting fraudulent injuries
2. Reporting an aggravation of an existing claim
3. Reporting occupational health illness
4. Reporting workplace violence
5. Theft of company property
6. Product tampering
Employers must become pro-active by implementing and managing defensive strategies to reduce and/or eliminate fraudulent behavior.
A FREE podcast 53 minutes. Downloadble directly to Media Player or MP3> Click here: DOWNLOAD NOW: http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/mp3/
1. Bottom Line Approach to Fraud
2. Reducing Workers’ Comp., General Liability, and Product
3. Liability Claims Costs
4. Cross Functional Team Approach to this Economy
5. Taking the Opportunity Out of Fraud and Theft
The podcast host company is Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management, Inc., Workers’ Comp Kit’s® Sponsor.
Speaker: Anthony Van Gorp, Private Investigator at Investigative Solutions & Consulting Services, Inc.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR PLAY: http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/mp3
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers’ comp issues.
©2009 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com
Before starting a workers’ compensation program, you need to first assess what you already have in place. This first phase of a four-phase process helps your company begin to make recommendations designed to put your company on the road to successful resolutions.
Any large project becomes manageable when divided into smaller bites, thus developing a workers’ compensation program is easy when divided into four phases.
Four phases
1. Assessment and Recommendation
2. Design and Development
3. Training and Implementation
4. Monitoring and Management
The first step in phase one is to assemble a project team. This team, lead by your injury coordinator, manages the company’s workers’ compensation program and are responsible for training staff. Once assembled, you choose a team leader.
The team leader is responsible for compiling gathered data, producing reports, scheduling meetings, documenting the process and ensuring the team adheres to timelines. Not an easy job — so, select carefully.
Select a strong leader with sufficient time to dedicate to the project. The leader may need to devote 90% of his or her time to the project, depending on the volume of claims your company has, and is your go-to person for phase one in implementing a new workers’ compensation program for your company.
As the project progresses, numerous “sub” leaders such as injury coordinator or return-to-work coordinator will be added. They are at the helm of workers’ compensation initiatives. However, the team leader is the pivotal person to orchestrate the various activities that together bring your workers’ compensation costs back under control. (workersxzcompxzkit) The structure of your program will vary from company to company, thus your staffing model may be different.
The breakdown of your planning team will include equal duties and work levels for human resources, labor relations, general management and outside consultants. However, you will find the injury coordinator must take approximately 60% of the workload.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
Experienced RM professional writer? Contact us at: Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers’ comp issues.
©2009 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com
How Would You Decide: Death of Workers’ Compensation “Private Eye” Did Not Arise Out of Nor Was it in the Course of the Employment
Here’s What Happened…
Anderson worked for Veracity Research, investigating workers’ compensation claimants who were suspected of fraud. He was killed in a one-car accident on July 19, 2003. He was survived by his wife and two minor children. His family sought workers’ compensation death benefits. The Division of Workers’ Compensation acknowledged receipt of the claim on February 24, 2004, but Veracity did not file its answer until August 2005.
The fatal accident occurred two miles from the hotel in which Anderson was staying in Blue Springs, some distance from Anderson’s home in Wichita. It was also near the residential street of the subject Anderson was assigned to observe. The accident occurred around midnight when Anderson’s vehicle failed to successfully navigate a curve in the road. A professional engineer testifying on behalf of Anderson’s family concluded that speed was the proximate cause of Anderson’s fatal accident, though other factors were also implicated, including alcohol, darkness, and road curve design.
Veracity contended the accident was caused by Anderson’s intoxication, that he had deviated from the course and scope of his employment at the time of the fatal wreck. Anderson’s blood alcohol content was 0.221 at the time of his death, indicating that he had ten to eleven alcoholic drinks in his system at the time of his death.
The administrative law judge concluded that Veracity’s untimely answer did not prevent it from defending against the claim. She further found that Anderson’s fatal accident did not arise out of and was not in the course and scope of his employment. The Labor and Industrial Relations Commission agreed and the family appealed.
Here’s What The Court Decided:
In Anderson v. Veracity Research Co., 2009 Mo. App. LEXIS 1570 (Nov. 10, 2009), the Court of Appeals of Missouri (Western Dist.) affirmed. The court agreed with Veracity’s contention that its failure to file a timely answer resulted in an admission of the facts alleged in the claim for compensation but that whether Anderson’s death arose out of and in the course and scope of his employment was a question of law that could not be waived.
As to the family’s contention that Anderson was a traveling employee, that except for clear deviations from the employment, he should be afforded portal-to-portal protections, the appellate generally agreed that the nature of the duties performed by traveling employees did broaden the parameters of compensability, but the court also observed that the underlying burden of proof was still with the employee (or survivors) to show that he was acting in the course and scope of his employment at the time of a particular incident. The court said moreover, as the Missouri cases demonstrated, any inference or presumption arising from the fact that an employee in a particular case was injured while on a business trip must yield to specific evidence as to the circumstances surrounding a particular worker’s injuries or death. (workersxzcompxzkit)
The court observed that Anderson had none of the “tools of his trade” in his car (laptop, clipboard, camcorder, tapes for camcorder, cell phone, cell phone charger, cell phone earpiece) that were required when conducting surveillance. Indeed, they were all in his hotel room. The accident occurred around midnight, many hours after Anderson’s normal quitting time. There was no evidence that Anderson had been authorized or requested to work past normal working hours. Anderson was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Consumption of alcohol while on the job was not permitted. A reasonable fact finder could conclude, therefore, from the evidence that Anderson’s accident did not arise out of and in the course of his employment. The court concluded that substantial evidence supported the determination that Anderson was not serving his employer’s interests at the time of the accident.
See generally Larson’s Workers’ Compensation Law, §§ 17.01, 17.03, 17.06, 25.01, 25.03, 36.02.
Tom Robinson, J.D. is the primary upkeep writer for Larson’s Workers’ Compensation Law (LexisNexis) and Larson’s Workers’ Compensation, Desk Edition (LexisNexis). He is a contributing writer for California Compensation Cases (LexisNexis) and Benefits Review Board – Longshore Reporter(LexisNexis), and is a contributing author to New York Workers’ Compensation Handbook(LexisNexis). Robinson is an authority in the area of workers’ compensation and we are happy to have him as a Guest Contributor to Workers’ Comp Kit Blog. Tom can be reached at: compwriter@gmail.com.
http://law.lexisnexis.com/practiceareas/Workers-Compensation
Write for Us? Contact: Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers’ comp issues.
©2009 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com
As you see, we repeatedly include workers’ compensation issues from other countries, because it’s not only a U.S. issues — occupational injury costs are happening in many countries. New Zealand, Australia, Canada — all facing same issues as U.S. employers.
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) to Rein in Cost of Medical Scans
The cost of medical scans (MRI, CT etc.) rose 120% or $97 million in real money in five years, a far greater rise than expected from inflation, claim numbers or any other factor according to ACC Director of Health Purchasing, Gail Kettle.
“Our analysis found not only are we paying for scans not injury related but also the price was too high. There is no doubt scanning is a valuable diagnostic tool, but in addition to the rapid rise in costs, we know not all scans currently being funded by ACC relate directly to a covered injury. Too many are being done, and they’re too expensive. The point is that every dollar that’s spent inappropriately on scanning is a dollar that could have been spent on a genuine ACC need,” she said.
ACC is planning to reintroduce an earlier system of prior approval of some scans. Since prior approval was dropped in 2004, the number of scans carried out has grown by 20% a year. The change to prior approval is planned for after July 2010 and will only address the volume question.
Beginning on December 1, 2009, ACC will progressively lower the price paid to radiologists and other providers of High-Tech Imaging (HTI) scans, such as MRI and CT scans. By August 2010 a 20% price reduction is expected, bringing NZ more into line with the Australian model. (workersxzcompxzkit)
“We talked to HTI providers and obviously they’re not happy about a price cut but we believe the new pricing model more accurately reflects the cost of providing the service. The new pricing model was also validated by Deloitte. Everyone who is entitled to an ACC-funded scan will continue to get one” Kettle said.
Author Robert Elliott,executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
We accept articles about WC cost containment. Contact us at: Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers’ comp issues.
©2009 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com
OSHA Offers Workplace H1N1 Assistance for Workers, Employers
Common sense fact sheets promoting safety during the current H1N1 influenza outbreak was issued for employers and workers by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The fact sheets inform employers and workers about ways to reduce the risk of exposure to the 2009 H1N1 virus at work. Separate fact sheets for health care workers, who carry out tasks and activities requiring close contact with 2009 H1N1 patients, contain additional precautions.
“Protecting our nation’s workers is OSHA’s top priority,” said Jordan Barab, the agency’s acting assistant secretary. “These fact sheets are tools we have developed to help ensure America’s workers stay healthy and our businesses remain viable. OSHA’s new fact sheets will help all employers identify appropriate actions to protect their workers.”
OSHA’s ”Workplace Safety and H1N1″ Web site provides easy to understand information appropriate for all workplaces and more extensive guidance for those involved in higher risk health care activities. The fact sheets are advisory in nature and informational in content.
As new information about the 2009 H1N1 virus becomes available, these workplace fact sheets will be updated. Employers and workers should review OSHA’s http://www.osha.gov/h1n1site often to ensure they have the most up-to-date information when making decisions about their operations and planning. (workersxzcompxzkit)
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, OSHA’s role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education. For more information about the agency, visit http://www.osha.gov.
Author Robert Elliott,executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
We accept articles about WC cost containment. Contact us at: Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
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Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will freeze rates for the majority of employers in 2010, while applying the usual rate-setting methodology for rate groups failing to achieve expected health and safety and return to work outcomes. As in previous years, the WSIB approach to rate-setting is based on industry accountability for workplace insurance costs.
The majority of employers (over 200,000) premium rates will remain at 2009 levels. In 2010 a significantly smaller number of employers (approximately 36,000) will face rate increases, comparable to recent years, when approximately 90,000 employers per year experienced increases. Good-performing employers continue to be eligible for rebates under the WSIB’s incentive-based programs.
“The decision on premium rates comes after extensive consultation in 2009, which I have conducted personally with employer and worker stakeholders on a wide range of issues,” said WSIB Chair Steven Mahoney. “We are doing all we can to protect the financial sustainability of the system from current financial pressures, while being fair to the workers and employers who rely on it.
“While the vast majority of Ontario employers will not have an increase, employers in some rate groups will have to pay more,” said Mahoney. “Under our collective liability system, employers in the same industries are grouped together for rate-setting purposes. This ensures employers in low-risk industries don’t have to pay for the insurance costs of high-risk industries – but it also means that some employers with successful prevention and return-to-work programs will have increases to their base premium rates (which may be offset by incentive-program rebates) for 2010. This is because their rate groups include employers that still need to improve their health and safety or return to work results.
“As our workplaces continue to become safer and healthier, employers and workers – as well as health and safety and industry associations – will need to work with the WSIB to find new ways of ensuring workplace health and safety best practices become standard across entire industries,” he concluded. (workersxzcompxzkit)
The WSIB maximum insurable earnings ceiling for 2010 is $77,600. This is an increase of 4% from $74,600 in 2009. Changes to the Maximum Insurable Earnings Ceiling are directly linked to changes in average earnings in Ontario as measured by Statistics Canada, and provisions under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
Submit Articles to us at: Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
Design & Development
All materials such as templates, forms, sample letters, etc. for use throughout the life of your WC program are designed and put into use. Design and development of these materials is the most difficult part of the process, and the part of the process that causes employers to give up before they even begin. The development of such materials can take months, thus many employers never begin because the task is overwhelming. An excellent approach is to start small and build on the existing materials. Or outsource to someone who has the knowledge and resources to build a program for you, such as Amaxx Risk Solutions.
The Return To Work Coordinator needs these key materials:
1. Work Ability Form
2. Employee Brochure
3. Presentation to Senior Management
4. Medical Provider Brochure
5. Employee Contact Log
6. Form Letters to Treating Physicians
7. Form Letters to Adjusters
8. Form Letters to Employees
9. Supervisor’s Guide to Work Injuries
10. Training Materials for Supervisors
You may review some sample forms at Free Workers Comp Forms
Training & Implementation
All employees from top management to individual workers involved in the workers’ compensation/injury management process are trained so as to be up-to-date and comfortable with new forms, policies, and procedures. Training is followed by actual implementation — going-live –when all new changes are officially adopted.
Program Awareness
It is important to keep all members of senior management aware of progress and major changes, even those not directly involved in the project.
This should take place periodically throughout the project to allow for discussion and issue resolution well in advance of program training and implementation.
However, once all documents, policies and procedures are finalized, it is extremely important to meet with senior management to advise them of the changes and allow for any questions or concerns prior to training and implementation.
Training
Communication is the key to a successful program! Prior to implementing a workers’ compensation program it is important all employees are aware of changes and key personnel are trained using new forms and procedures.
Some key training activities include:
1. Inform supervisors of day-to-day responsibilities.
2. Inform all employees of new processes; emphasize benefits and encourage participation.
3. Distribution of new policies and procedures.
4. Promote program via memos, brochures, posters, newsletters, acknowledgment, etc.
5. Reinforce management commitment via newsletters/key inquiries by top managers.
6. Identify and document transitional duty tasks. (workersxzcompxzkit)
7. Incorporate new policies/procedures into human resources packet for current employees and new hires.
Going Live!
Once all training and communication to employees is completed, the program is ready to be rolled out.
Tracking methods should be implemented and all forms must be available and ready to use. At this point the program is ready to be adopted in full.
Monitoring & Management
After implementation, the company demonstrates results by:
1. Declining injury rates.
2. A shift in the return-to-work ratio showing most injured employees return to work sooner.
3. A significant decline in the cost per employee (discussed in performance goals module).
4. An increase in PPO penetration rates
5. An increase in Reporting within 24 hours; fewer claims reported after 24 hours.
Procedures to Monitor
1. Correct completion of forms and claim tracking documents after injuries.
2. Communication between all players throughout the claim process.
3. Cooperation between your company and your claims administrator.
4. Use of standardized documents/templates to communicate with injured employees, treating physicians, internal managers and your corporate office.
Ensure continued success by:
1. Continuous review, analysis, and refinement of processes.
2. One-hundred percent attendance at claim review meetings with your claims administrator.
3. Review of loss data. (workersxzcompxzkit)
4. Constant fine-tuning to resource guides, brochures and forms, as needed.
5. Continual improvement of relationship with local medical providers.
6. Period visits to adjusters offices.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers’ comp issues.
©2009 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com
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