Special Handling Instructions

One of the main  goals in managing workers’ compensation costs is returning your injured worker to work as soon as medically advisable. For this, you need to review your special handling instructions, or SHIs to make sure the proper wording and instructions are in place for the adjusters. Knowing the SHIs allows you to design transitional duties or work-arounds for your employees and get them back on the job.

As you can imagine,  documenting the process thoroughly is critical. Once you have an injury management program in place, write an email (you can also attach a Word document) to the account executive at your third-party administrator.

9 Steps To Remember When Making Your Request:
1.  Your email  asks for the most recent version of the account instructions.
2.  You copy  the claims VP at your broker.
3.  You remind  your recipient you have an aggressive return-to-work program.
4.  Acknowledge   your company can accommodate nearly all medical restrictions.
5.  Mention you have a medical director reviewing all independent medical evaluations and examinations. This establishes the professionalism and thoroughness of your company.
6.  Note  your medical director reviews claims to add details and asks the third-party administrator for additional verbiage corrections or changes.
7.  Collaborate with  the third party administrator on the wording for any changes.
8.  Summarize  by asking again for their suggestions. (workersxzcompxzkit).
9.  Don’t  forget to say thank you and tell them you look forward to their participation on your cost containment team.

Most property casualty workers’ compensation brokers have someone in their organization that can help put together a post loss program, however, if you have severe problems, you might want to ask for their most experienced specialists. One has to be a problem-solver to help companies with serious problems correct any type of problem, including a workers’ compensation problem.

Author: Rebecca Shafer, J.D.  Rebecca designs and develops workers’ compensation cost containment programs, and is the developer or Workers’ Comp Kit®, an on-line automated tool kit with an assessment, benchmarking and improvement plan. Rebecca can be contacted at: 860-553-6604 and email: RShafer@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com  http://www.ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.

We are accepting short articles* (300-800 words) on WC cost containment. Contact us at: Info@WorkersCompKit.com. *Non-compensable.

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers’ comp issues.