Around AASCIF

British Columbia

WorkSafeBC is fast approaching the implementation of its revolutionary Claims Management Solution (CMS) system.  Already implemented and proven effective for British Columbia's workers' compensation appeals, the rules-based application will streamline case handling and assist in decision-making, eligibility determination and benefit delivery  through the entire claims management lifecycle .  Developed in partnership with Curam Software Inc. and the Ontario WSIB, the CMS system is scheduled for rollout in early 2008.  For more information on this project please contact Todd.Yule@worksafebc.com

The average base rate (premium rate before experience modification) of workers' compensation insurance coverage in British Columbia continues to fall. It will fall by 7.6% for 2008 to $1.56 per $100 of assessable payroll compared to $1.69 in 2007. This is the lowest rate that employers have experienced in more than 30 years. The lower premium rates are good news for BC's 190,000 registered employers and they reflect lower average duration of claims and lower injury rates in most sectors despite increasing economic activity in the province. WorkSafeBC is the exclusive workers' compensation insurer in the province covering 93% of the employed labour force—about 2.2 million workers. Worker wage-loss benefits continue at 90% of net earnings based on gross income from employment to $64,400 (in 2007) and are typically payable from the day following the day of injury. For more information, please contact Gerry.Paquette@worksafebc.com

Driving down injuries for young and new workers is critical and new standards have been established to do just that. Under amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation effective July 26, 2007, employers are required to provide all young and/or new workers with orientation and training specific to the work site and to record and document that training. Documentation of that orientation and training must be available for inspection by a WorkSafeBC safety officer upon request. For more information, please contact Michelle.McLeod@worksafebc.com

Colorado

•   For the third consecutive year, Pinnacol Assurance has been recognized by AARP as one of America's “Best Employers for Workers Over 50.” The award recognizes companies that demonstrate exemplary practices in recruiting, retaining, and promoting older workers. Pinnacol is one of just 50 companies nationwide to receive the distinction and placed 25 th on the list. Twenty-two percent of Pinnacol's workforce is over 50. According to Pinnacol President and CEO Ken Ross, “Our older workers bring a breadth of experience and maturity that benefits both customers and younger employees. We value their contributions to the company, and we're proud that AARP has recognized our commitment to this important segment of our workforce.”
  
•   A bill passed by the Colorado legislature during the 2007 legislative session made a significant change to the Colorado Workers' Compensation Act. This new law requires that the employer or insured must provide a list of at least two medical providers from which an injured employee may choose treatment in the event of a work-related injury. The legislation goes into effect on January 1, 2008. Pinnacol Assurance is currently developing easy-to-use processes and procedures to ensure that each policyholder makes its election of an additional provider before the bill's effective date.
  
• Pinnacol Assurance recently announced the following management promotions:

•  Lisa Mason was promoted to business director.
•  Suzi Stolte was promoted to communications director.

Kentucky

KEMI Announces New Legal Services Manager

KEMI has promoted Timothy Price to Manager of Legal Services. Timothy has been an attorney with KEMI since 1999 and has held numerous roles within the Legal Services department, including Legal Services Supervisor.

Louisiana

LWCC Announces Overall 7.6% Rate Decrease

• Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation (LWCC) has announced a 7.6% overall rate decrease from its independent rate plan for 2007. The decrease follows the company's 2.7% rate reduction in 2006.
  
  The 2007 decrease, applicable for policies with an effective date of October 1, 2007, or later, is found in the company's PRP (preferred risk program), SAP (small accounts program), and ARP (accepted risk program) rate tiers. Since its first year of operation in 1992, LWCC has reduced overall rates by more than 40%.

LWCC Launches Image Branding Ad Campaign

• LWCC has launched an image advertising campaign running in print publications, with radio, outdoor, and online as supporting media. The branding campaign features four print ads, focusing individually on faster recovery and return to work for injured workers, substantial policyholder dividends, workplace safety, and quality medical treatment through LWCC's provider network.
  
  Print media include daily newspapers in Louisiana's seven metro areas, as well as selected local business publications and insurance trade media. Ads are also running in Louisiana editions of national publications: Business Week, Forbes, Fortune, Money, Fast Company, FSB (Fortune Small Business), Inc., GQ, Golf Digest, and Wired .
  
  Two 30-second radio spots focus on injured workers and workplace safety. An outdoor permanent bulletin in four markets plus online ads in five news-oriented Web sites around the state complete the media buy.
  
  The campaign began in late June and will continue through the end of 2007, when new elements will be added. The LWCC Communications Department and ad agency Keating Magee of New Orleans created the campaign, utilizing input from focus-group research conducted in February among agents, policyholders, and prospective policyholders.
  
  Click on any of the links below to view the three ads in the Image Branding Campaign:
  
• Executive Ad
• Injured Workers Ad
• LWCC Ad

Maryland

IWIF announces the promotion of Paige Beck, CPA, to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In this position, Ms. Beck oversees all financial activities for the organization including preparing financial reports, summaries and forecasts for business growth, and tracks the general economic outlook for Maryland business as it relates to IWIF. She also provides strategic leadership to help ensure the continued financial strength of the organization.

During her 17-year tenure with the Towson-based insurer, Ms. Beck has served as head of IWIF's Internal Audit department and as Assistant Vice President of Finance. Prior to joining IWIF, she was employed with the Office of Legislative Audits.

IWIF President and CEO Tom Phelan praised the selection of Ms. Beck. “Paige has a great understanding of IWIF and the organization's financial and data systems. Furthermore, she possesses the unique ability to successfully manage non-financial projects for the organization. I look forward to working with her in this new role.”

• IWIF recently announced the availability of Download services to all Maryland agents and brokers in an effort to improve efficiency and the rate at which policy information is transmitted. Information available for download includes: new business, renewal business, cancellation notices, reinstatement notices and premium change endorsements. IWIF partnered with industry leader IVANS to provide seamless agency-company interface over the Internet.
  
• Another new partnership includes Payce Payroll Services and the introduction of a new premium payment option for policyholders. The key benefit to policyholders is the ability to pay IWIF premiums calculated on actual payroll and not projected payroll. Furthermore, their payment schedules can coincide with their payroll schedules when they choose Payce as their payroll provider. Policyholders will also receive a discount off all payroll management and tax filing services.

Maine

Customer Service

MEMIC completed its biennial customer service survey, once again recording a high score. Through a random telephone survey of 600 medium and large-customers, an independent survey research firm found that an overwhelming 95 percent indicated they were satisfied or very satisfied with MEMIC. This was consistent with results from 2005.

Many customers indicated a level of contentment that went beyond satisfaction. Overall, more than half indicated a high likelihood that they would recommend MEMIC to a peer. This “promoter” score, which showed MEMIC as performing well against benchmarks, will provide a baseline measure for future surveys.

Analysis of the survey indicated that the more services a customer used, the more likely they were to be classified as a “promoter.”

MEMIC Indemnity Adds License

With the addition of Rhode Island in August, MEMIC subsidiary, MEMIC Indemnity Company, is now licensed to write workers' compensation in 38 states. In addition, the company opened branch offices in Glastonbury, CT and Albany, NY.

Comp Summit Keynote Speakers

MEMIC's 11 th annual Comp Summit, a free conference for policyholders, is expected to draw 500 attendees to the two-day meeting in early November. Olympic gymnast Peter Vidmar and Maine boat captain/author Linda Greenlaw have accepted invitations to highlight the conference. Vidmar is the highest-scoring American gymnast in Olympic history as well as a sportscaster and speaker. Greenlaw is a best-selling author and captained the Hannah Boden , made famous by author Sebastian Junger's The Perfect Storm .

“Best Places to Work in Maine” finalist

For the second consecutive year, MEMIC is a finalist in the “Best Places to Work in Maine” contest, determined through an application and anonymous employee survey. In 2006, MEMIC finished fourth overall in the large company category.

Missouri

WorkSAFE Week Targets Safe Driving

Missouri Employers Mutual celebrated WorkSAFE Week 2007 June 4-8 by recognizing the importance of safe driving. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of work-related fatalities, according to the National Safety Council. All of MEM's more than 20,000 policyholders and producers received detailed kits to help them celebrate the week in their workplaces. Outreach efforts also included specialized WorkSAFE Week advertisements and media relations. Through a dedicated Loss Prevention staff and special campaigns such as WorkSAFE Week, MEM is helping eliminate injuries. More than 80 percent of MEM's policyholders were injury free in 2006.

Online Premium Payment Added to List of Services

MEM policyholders and producers can now pay premium online. The new service came at the request of many customers and rounds out MEM's expansive list of online tools. At the same time as premium payment, MEM added the option to submit payroll reports electronically, as well. On iNet, MEM's password-protected Website, customers can also get quotes, submit applications, print loss runs and certificates of insurance, and report claims, among other tasks.

Montana

• Governor Brian Schweitzer recently appointed Boyd Taylor of Butte, Wally Yovetich of Billings, and Thomas Heisler of Great Falls to serve on the Montana State Fund Board of Directors. These men join current members Chairman Joe Dwyer, Jane DeBruycker, Ken Johnson, and James Swanson. The Board consists of seven individuals who serve a 4-year term on a staggered basis.
  
• Carl Kochman has been hired as the Communications and Public Relations Leader. His media and advertising career spans close to 40 years, in all 50 states and more than 27 countries. Kochman comes from a broadcast and communications/advertising background, founded two successful companies, and most recently was V.P. of Creative Services for Flying Horse Communication based in Bozeman Montana.
  
• Upper Extremity Joint Injuries: Diagnosis, Interventions and Rehabilitation will be the theme for MSF's seventh annual medical conference slated for November 9, 2007. The training is an opportunity for medical providers and claim examiners to further their knowledge on upper extremity joint injuries to better serve injured employees. Lectures for this year's conference include Overuse Syndromes, Nerve Compression Syndromes, Upper Extremity Tendonitis, Triangular Fibro Cartilage Complex, Thumb Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation Considerations.

• The staff at Montana State Fund would like to thank all who attended the AASCIF annual conference at Big Sky, Montana. It was a wonderful experience to meet and greet such a lively, appreciative and enthusiastic crowd. Thanks again for making the conference one we will all remember at MSF. We'll see you next year in Utah.

New York

CEO David P. Wehner announced that NYSIF now gives medical providers access to an electronic “Explanation of Benefits.” NYSIF EOB on nysif.com allows online access to a detailed itemization of all NYSIF payments included in a medical provider's payment draft.

“This new service allows health care providers to ensure payments are applied appropriately, saving time for themselves and NYSIF,” CEO Wehner said.

Medical providers need their tax ID number, NYSIF draft number, and the last four digits of the claimant's Social Security number to access information including draft date and amount, case manager and telephone number, bill date, code billed, amount charged, amount paid and payment explanation.

NYSIF continued to remind employers to be proactive about workplace safety, conducting over 18,000 field visits in the past year, including 12,725 safety surveys. Complying with 2007 workers' comp. reform, NYSIF is adding alcohol and drug abuse prevention training for assureds.

Workers' Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut

In May 2007, the Workers' Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (WCB) was pleased to welcome Ms. Anne Clark of Nova Scotia as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Clark joined the WCB from the Workers' Advisers Program of Nova Scotia, where she was the Chief Worker Advisor, and had previously worked as an Associate Lawyer dealing mainly in administrative and injury law. Ms. Clark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the WCB, and we are extremely excited to have her as a part of our team.

In response to stakeholder concerns and to strengthen its dedication to workplace safety, the WCB created a new position in July 2007. The new position, Vice President, Prevention Services, will coordinate industrial and mine safety training and programs, as well as prevention services as offered by the WCB. This position is also accountable for administering the NWT and Nunavut Safety Acts, the Mine Health and Safety Acts, and the Explosives Use Acts, along with the associated Regulations.

In August, the WCB prepared for the third reading of the new workers' compensation legislation. With the ultimate goal of ensuring safe workplaces and practices, the legislative amendments include modern concepts, clarify entitlement to compensation, and make the Acts more user-friendly for stakeholders. The WCB expects the legislation to pass in both territories and come into force in 2008.

Ohio

New Workers' Compensation Board of Directors brings strength, credibility and expertise to BWC

A newly established 11-member Workers' Compensation Board of Directors will work hand-in-hand with Administrator Marsha Ryan to make long-term operational improvements to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC).

Appointed by Governor Ted Strickland on July 31, the new board of directors replaced the previous Workers' Commission Oversight Commission. The Workers' Compensation Board of Directors provides greater professional expertise to guide policy and guarantee sound decision making. In addition, the board offers strengthened accountability and transparency by providing greater input and consistently inspecting the policies and processes of BWC.

It also reflects a broader, more inclusive representation of BWC's customers and stakeholders. The new board includes a representative from the public; a cross-section of representation from business and labor, and specific subject-matter experts to make sure BWC business runs efficiently and effectively.

A key role of the independent, external board of directors is to serve as the primary fiduciary entity of BWC funds and be accountable for the bureau's operations. In addition, the board will work with Ryan to:

• Maintain a strong focus on improving the bureau's operational stability by reviewing unsound rating programs that lead to unexpected premium swings for employers.
• Simplify the process for BWC customers by eliminating red tape and clarifying important operational correspondence.
• Apply policies to each customer group in a way that protects those injured on the job.

To read more about each board member, log on to www.ohiobwc.com/boardofdirectors .

Oklahoma

Oklahoma AG Gives Opinion on Family of Five Exemption

Earlier this year the Oklahoma Attorney General issued an opinion on the “family of five or fewer exemption” to the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Act. The “family of five or fewer exemption” provides that “An employer with five or less total employees, all of whom are related by blood or marriage to the employer, will be exempt from the Workers' Compensation Act.” 85 O.S. § 2.6

The Attorney General's opinion states, “The exemption from the Workers' Compensation Act provided for in 85 O.S. §2.6 applies only to employers who are natural persons, such as sole proprietors, and does not apply to employers who are artificial persons, including but not limited to corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies.” 2007 OK AG 8

The opinion effectively states that only sole proprietors will be able to claim the exemption to be eligible for a policy endorsed with the family exemption. Unless otherwise exempt from the Workers' Compensation Act, family members working for corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies will be deemed employees of the business and premium will be charged.

CompSource Board Approves Rate Change

CompSource Oklahoma's Board of Managers approved an adjustment of rates on certain job classification codes for new and renewal policies effective on or after August 1, 2007. Adjustments are based upon the past loss experience of each job classification code. Therefore, while certain job classification codes may have a rate decrease, others may increase or remain unchanged. These adjustments had no overall affect on average rates.

Ontario WSIB

Focus on Occupational Disease

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has formed a new Occupational Disease Services Division (ODSD) to help plan, implement, and monitor the delivery of its occupational disease programs and services. The ODSD brings together the WSIB's occupational disease experts to enhance service delivery in the areas of occupational disease prevention, adjudication, medical and health care management, survivor benefits, and return to work.

Having a division dedicated to the unique issues around occupational disease will promote prevention and ensure that WSIB services are aligned with health care partners across Ontario.

The Road to Zero

As part of its Road to Zero campaign * , the WSIB has launched a series of bold newspaper ads, listing the actual number of workers injured and killed in Ontario on a monthly basis. "In June alone, we lost 14 workers," says WSIB Chair Steve Mahoney. "We're putting those numbers right up front to make sure everyone sees how serious this problem is and understands that every one of those incidents is 100 per cent preventable."

The ads began in August and will run through the end of 2007.

Oregon

SAIF Corporation names new VP of financial services

SAIF Corporation has named Theresa McHugh its Vice President of Financial Services.

McHugh has had a distinguished career with the State of Oregon. As deputy director of the Department of Administrative Services for several years, she had responsibility for the State's risk management and self-insurance program.

McHugh also managed Oregon's State budget while serving as State budget director under three governors. During 2004-2005 she served as chief of staff to Governor Ted Kulongoski. Most recently, McHugh played a leading role in guiding the legislative adoption of the 2007-09 state budget as deputy legislative fiscal officer.

“Theresa's expertise will be invaluable as we evaluate and redesign SAIF's budget system,” says Brenda Rocklin, SAIF's president and CEO.

SAIF Corporation announces sustainable workforce initiative

According to employment experts, the American workforce is changing like never before, and its impact will be felt by virtually every company. Attendees at this year's AASCIF Annual Conference heard a thought-provoking presentation on the challenges for state funds in recruiting and retaining qualified employees.

Due to demographics and other factors, companies will be competing for fewer well-trained candidates who will have very different views about their careers and their employers than most employees currently do.

“The smart companies are the ones working on a plan to deal with the reality of the changing workforce,” SAIF President and CEO Brenda Rocklin told employees as she announced the sustainable workforce initiative at the company's annual leadership meeting in July.

SAIF's initiative will build on the work it already has done on a diversity initiative, expanding it to include generational issues and succession planning.

Brand experience catalog project kicked-off

Earlier this year, SAIF Corporation concluded a successful brand refresh. The company is now shifting its focus to the important second step of this process: enhancing the brand experience across the corporation.

SAIF is beginning to compile a catalog of brand experience touchpoints for each external audience, such as customers and business partners. Each “touchpoint” represents an interaction between SAIF and one of these audiences.

The first part of this project is to compile a list of all existing touchpoints. After the list is compiled, each touchpoint will be analyzed to determine if and how it can be better aligned with the brand.

Pennsylvania

The IMC Pilot Program, which began in May 2007 in the SWIF Pittsburgh District Office, is a physician -to- physician medical case management service for SWIF injured workers. The program offers physician review, assessment and intervention as a means of assuring appropriate care, prompt return to the workforce in a meaningful duty capacity and as a means to provide long-term prognosis with respect to case resolution. Numerous IMC physicians provide the actual "Physician-to-Physician" interaction that serves as the foundation of their approach to loss control management. SWIF Investigators identify those claims that have the potential for unwarranted loss of time from work and/or significant financial exposure by virtue of inappropriate ongoing utilization of healthcare services and make the referral to IMC for review and handling.

Saskatchewan

• Safety Spokesperson Hired
  Curtis Weber is the WCB' new safety spokesperson and safety trainer. Curtis was electrocuted by three rounds of 14,400 volts when he was just 17 years old. It was his third day on the job and he wasn't expected to live. But Curtis survived with burns to 60 per cent of his body and without his right arm and left leg.
  

Now 25 years old, Curtis is taking his message that every injury is preventable to schools, workplaces and safety events. It is an especially powerful message for youth who often are no older than he was when he was injured.

For information, contact pgermain@wcbsask.com .

• Vocational rehabilitation training program recognized
  For the second year in a row, the National Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Associations of Canada has approved the vocational rehabilitation training program developed by the WCB for its employees for 13.75 hours of Continuing Education Units.

The WCB developed the training program to ensure its voc rehab employees received quality learning from top-flight trainers. The training has proved so valuable that case managers, adjudicators, and appeals staff have started to attend. In fact, through word-of-mouth the training's reputation has spread province-wide and voc rehab professionals from other organizations have shown an interest in attending. For the time being, WCB employees take all available training seats.

For information, contact jquinlan@wcbsask.com .

Texas

Texas Mutual Pays $125M in Dividends

Texas Mutual Insurance Company began distributing a company record of nearly $125 million in individual policyholder dividends in July. Approximately 37,500 employers, representing about 79 percent of the company's policyholders, will receive a dividend. With these dividends, Texas Mutual will have paid about $445 million in individual policyholder dividends over the past nine years.

Governor Names New Board Chair

Governor Rick Perry appointed Richard Cooper of Lubbock as chair of the Texas Mutual Insurance Company board of directors. Cooper, an 11-year member of the board, serves on the executive committee. He has also chaired the audit committee for six years. He replaces Martin Young Jr., who served as chair since 1995.

Texas Mutual to Host Oil and Gas Safety Roundtable

Texas Mutual Insurance Company will host the fifth in a series of oil and gas safety roundtables in September. The company organized the roundtable in response to the disproportionate number of oil and gas-related deaths in Texas, Louisiana and surrounding states. The roundtable includes representatives from OSHA; the Texas Department of Insurance, Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Division; the Texas Oil and Gas Association and industry employers.

West Virginia

BrickStreet was recently honored by the West Virginia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America during its annual Crystal awards. Crystal awards are presented once a year to honor the best public relations and public relations-related work done during the previous year.

BrickStreet was honored with four first place Crystals for Internal Communications; Internal Newsletter, four or more colors; External Communications, one – three color newsletter; and, Special Purpose Publications – single issue newsletter or booklet.

BrickStreet earned five second place/honorable mention awards for: Community Relations; External Communications - full-campaign; Integrated Communications; External Communications – four or more color newsletter; and, Collateral Materials – invitations.

Earlier in the summer, BrickStreet was honored by the Charleston Area Alliance, one of the major economic development organizations in West Virginia, with its 2007 Expect The Best Award.

That award was created to recognize businesses that promote quality of life at home, at work and in the community. Awards are presented to three employers – one with 50 or fewer employees, one with 51 or more employees, and one overall winner regardless of the number of employees. BrickStreet was honored as the overall winner.

BrickStreet's honor was based on a three-step review process, starting with written responses to a series of questions concerning: management structure and mission; customer satisfaction; personnel issues focusing on employee communications, recognition programs, workplace safety and working conditions; support for employee education and training, and corporate involvement in activities designed to enhance quality of life within the community; and economic impact on West Virginia.

Written responses were followed by an oral presentation which highlighted and expanded upon the written responses. This presentation was made to a five-judge panel. The oral presentation was followed by a question and answer session, not limited to the information presented as part of the written responses or oral presentation.