While there are a variety of programs to reduce workers' compensation costs, there are basic practices common to every successful program. 1. A well-managed safety program. Prevention is key to reducing workers' comp costs, but you'll also need a post-loss program. Attend ASSE (American Society of Safety Engineers) or NSC (National Safety Council) conferences, or read materials available through providers such as BLR about how to implement a safety program. It's best if your company invests in a trained safety professional, but if that doesn't happen, there are many steps you can take such as implementing safety meetings, poster programs, accident analysis procedures, correction programs, and incentive programs. I started as a complete novice, and learned as I went along, and you can too. First place to start, MEASURE LOST WORK DAYS. If you can't measure it, you can't manage it. ASK YOUR BROKER to include lost work days in your monthly reports. Ask your broker or insurance company for safety training videos. I'd be very surprised if these materials are not available. 2. Availability of cooperative and effective medical providers. Aligning your company with top notch medical professionals is key. Employers sometimes forget that "injuries" are MEDICAL EVENTS, and we need medical input, not just claims adjusting. So, find out the best providers in your community by asking other employers or your insurance company, then meet with those providers to establish a positive relationship. 3. Availability of transitional duty. Bringing injured workers back to work as soon as they are medically able to perform productive tasks will speed their overall healing and recovery time. People do better if they have a destination to go to each day, so continue to ensure they are a member of the workplace even if it is necessary to miss some work days as a result of surgery, etc. Be creative when developing transitional duty tasks. One way to do this is videotape the original jobs, then have the MD comments on how the position could be modified so the injured worker can perform the task. 4. Effective and ongoing communication between employers and their injured workers. SOMEONE will communicate with your employees. Make sure that someone is YOU! Use positive ongoing comunication such as sending get well cards, enclose a gift card for pizza, call home the night of the injury, invite the employees in for all safety meetings, have weekly meetings to determine whether there are obstacles to return to work at full-duty. 5. Close coordination with the claims administrator. Work as a team with your TPA or claims team. Bring them in from the start of your new program, ask their opinions of how you can improve your intake, reduce your reporting time, improve the usage of your medical provider network, improve your return to work program, reduce the settlement value of your claims. Sit "chair side" with the adjusters in each office and ask questions. Ask whether there are clients that do it differently, ask how you can improve your process. Adjusters are often quite knowledgeable so ask their input. On the other hand, if they don't seem to be proactive, ask for a change. No question is too stupid to ask; you are there to learn. WorkersCompKit® addresses each module through a systematic process emphasizing communication among all parties involved. (workersxzcompxzkit) A workers' compensation management program has four phases, each with various steps, for development either one at a time or several together depending on timeframe and available resources. The place to begin …. put one foot in front of the other. It's that simple.
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: [email protected] or 860-786-8286.
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Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers' comp issues.
