Around AASCIF

Arizona

SCF Adds Two to Preferred Connection Network
San Tan Urgent Care and Yuma Rehabilitation Hospital have joined SCF Arizona’s Preferred Connection Network (PCN) and will offer medical services at a discounted rate to SCF policyholders whose employees are injured on the job.

The PCN is SCF’s workers’ compensation-specific Preferred Provider Organization network—a statewide network of hospitals, occupational medical clinics, urgent care facilities, physicians, physical medicine providers and ancillary service providers that understand the special needs of treating patients within the workers’ compensation system.

“We’re thrilled to have these additions to our PCN Network” says Lynn Doran, SCF Manager of Utilization Review and Network Development. “These area relationships that benefit everyone involved; they highlight the commitment we share to help stem the rising cost of medical care for injured workers, which ultimately reduces workers’ compensation rates for everyone.”

PCN member companies work in unison to achieve SCF policyholders’ ultimate goals—to provide the necessary healthcare needed to help injured workers return to work as quickly, safely and economically as possible.

Colorado

Pinnacol was honored by the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) as a first-place winner in the “Workspace” category. We were recognized for our commitment to creating a work environment that integrates beautiful art pieces into our workspace and culture. As part of our business plan, we feel it’s necessary to create an atmosphere that allows our staff to interact, communicate, problem solve, and provide the best service in the industry to our customers.

Pinnacol and two of our employees were honored by the Professionals in Workers’ Compensation (PWC) a local group of workers’ compensation professionals, for outstanding contributions to the workers’ comp community. Pinnacol was honored as the “Outstanding Employer”; Debra Getz, nurse case manager, received the “Outstanding Nurse Case Manager” award; and Amanda Crocker, provider relations specialist, received the “Outstanding Adjuster” award.

Office worker injuries, specifically musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), are a serious problem for Pinnacol policyholders. To address this issue, we’ve developed a new Office Ergonomics DVD for policyholders. This easy-to-use tool is designed to help policyholders reduce MSD injuries to employees, teach employees how to properly set up their workstations, lower workers’ compensation costs, keep employees safe on the job, and establish an effective office ergonomics program. Like all Pinnacol safety materials, the DVD is free to policyholders.

During Pinnacol’s recent diversity training, employees learned more about differences (diversity) and how they affect us. These training sessions are just one step in our diversity strategy, which is being developed by the company’s Diversity Task Force. Other elements of this strategy include diversity celebrations and a new diversity statement.

Kentucky

OHSA 10-Hour Training Course Free for KEMI Policyholders
KEMI is offering a valuable new safety resource to help reduce accidents on construction sites across Kentucky. The OSHA 10-Hour Training Class is being offered free of charge to KEMI policyholders in the construction industry. KEMI provided instruction for the first course in early March, which drew more than 30 attendees. To learn more, visit www.kemi.com.

KEMI Selected as One of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky
The Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) State Council, in conjunction with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, announced KEMI as a winner in the fifth annual "Best Places to Work in Kentucky" competition.

Louisiana

LWCC Pays $7.5 Million Dividend
Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation (LWCC) returned a $7.5 million dividend to qualifying policyholders in February, bringing the company’s cumulative total dividend paid to policyholders over the past six years to more than $121 million.  

About 20,000 policyholders received a portion of the dividend. Individual dividend awards are based on a calculation that takes into account policyholders’ premium payments and longevity with LWCC over the last five years.

“We are pleased to be able to return a dividend to our policyholders for six consecutive years,” said LWCC President and CEO Kristin W. Wall. “Despite the difficult economic climate, we are continuing to put dollars back into the pockets of Louisiana businesses.”

LWCC Teams with Coastal Training
LWCC’s Safety and Loss Prevention Department is teaming with Coastal Training Technologies, a worldwide leader in safety training, to offer LWCC policyholders unparalleled online safety training solutions.

Through Coastal’s eLearning System, LWCC makes available comprehensive safety training using online study courses (ClarityNet HD) and streaming video (Video OnDemand) with the added ability to create custom courseware through C3 (Custom Course Creator). This is a great value add and no-cost benefit to LWCC’s existing and future customers. ClarityNet HD and Video OnDemand are accessible 24/7.

Maryland

IWIF and Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore have partnered to conduct a 2-year study on work-related low back injuries. The project will lead to the development of a data collection and screening system to improve IWIF’s ability to identify claimants who are at risk for delayed return-to-work following low back injuries. Brian Furr, IWIF Director of Health Services, says, “The tool we develop will help IWIF identify high risk claimants earlier in the claims process. This will help us better manage claims via early intervention.” Results from the study are expected to be released in late 2010.

IWIF partnered with four minority-owned investment firms to manage portions of its equity and fixed income portfolios. IWIF is complying with guidelines set forth in Senate Bill 606, passed last year by Maryland’s General Assembly. It requires IWIF’s board of directors to use, to the greatest extent feasible, minority business enterprises to provide brokerage and investment management services. “Our board supports this legislation and members of our executive team look forward to developing solid relationships with the investment firms and their fund managers,” says President and CEO Tom Phelan.

Recently, IWIF introduced a safety grant program to help policyholders purchase equipment or training to prevent, reduce or eliminate hazards, injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The grant program awards matching funds up to $2,500 to qualifying IWIF policyholders. Joe Gillian, Loss Control Director, says, “We know policyholders are impacted by today’s troubling economy. It’s our hope that IWIF safety grants will help prevent some policyholders from slashing their safety budgets.”

To illustrate good safety behaviors for non-English speaking Hispanic construction workers, IWIF created the Basic Construction Safety Pocket Guide. Written in English and Spanish, the pocket guide uses simple language, pictures and visual clues. It was designed for use during field safety training, as an employee handout, or to display in an office. 

Montana

Work Hard. Be Safe.
Montana State Fund’s Work Hard. Be Safe. media campaign recently wound down after an eight week run. The campaign kicked off February 1, 2009 with our Television ads airing during the Super Bowl.

In its second year, Work Hard. Be Safe. builds upon our message of promoting safety in the workplace. The ads show real life Montanans performing their jobs. The narration emphasizes Montana’s high injury rate (50% higher than the national average) and fatality rate (fourth highest in the nation) and how employees can take personal responsibility to be safe.  

The multi-media campaign not only included TV, but also employed statewide radio, print , banner ads on the major newspaper sites and radio/TV interviews with MSF staff. We also distributed Work Hard. Be Safe. paper coffee cups to various businesses throughout the state.

Building Our Future
It’s been the culmination of an intense three-year process, but MSF has broken ground for our new headquarters. The 110,000-square-foot green building will be located in downtown Helena.

The green construction is unlike any public building in the state. The structure will include state-of-the-art air circulation systems that could save 30-50% on heating bills. Plenty of natural light, as well as a literally green roof—filled with planters to absorb heat in the summer and mitigate storm water runoff.  Captured rain water will be used to water the outdoor landscaping. Construction is scheduled to be completed in June 2010.

WorkSafe Champions
Our first WorkSafe Champions (WSC) class will graduate in May, 2009. WCS is a 12-month intensive safety and injury prevention education curriculum. WSC graduates are trained to become safety advocates instrumental in creating a culture of safety in the state. The trainings are held in six Montana cities with approximately 100 participants. Our second WSC class will begin training in June. 

New York

The New York State Insurance Fund Board of Commissioners accepted the resignation of former Executive Director David Wehner, effective at the close of business March 5. On March 9, the Board designated deputy directors Tom Gleason and Shirley Stark to perform the duties of the executive director until such time as a new executive director is appointed.

NYSIF’s Division of Confidential Investigations (DCI) completed successful workers’ compensation fraud investigations leading to an estimated savings of $20.7 million in 2008, a record amount exceeding all prior yearly totals since NYSIF began the program.

The total savings includes cash restitution of approximately $1.6 million and estimated future savings of more than $19 million, resulting from additional premium, lower reserves and forfeiture of future payments on fraudulent claims. The amount of cash restitution collected also surpassed all prior yearly totals since NYSIF began reporting data on fraud arrests in 1994.

NYSIF cases led to 148 arrests in 2008. Going back to 1995, NYSIF anti-fraud efforts have accounted for a cumulative total of 1,228 arrests, representing estimated savings of $166.5 million for New York State.

North Dakota

Severe injury rates in North Dakota have declined 47% since 1995 and to ensure this trend continues Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) is offering new safety grant and discount programs aimed at further reducing the frequency of workplace injuries. Starting Jan. 1,  WSI invites every North Dakota employer to “put safety to work” by implementing one of these new safety programs at their workplace. These programs can reduce a qualifying employer’s premium by up to 25%. Matching grants can also be obtained to assist in purchasing safety interventions that eliminate workplace hazards.  In addition associations and employee organizations may qualify for grants to help promote safety through training and education.

Employers who successfully participate in WSI’s new “Safety Management Program” can receive a discount of 10% off their premium. In addition, employers can also receive an additional 15% premium reduction by choosing to participate in a variety of safety “menu items” that can each provide 5% discounts up to a maximum of 15%. Those menu items include: 1) Drug Free Workplace Program, 2) Safety Committee Program, 3) Certified Safety Management Program, 4) Learning Management System (LMS), 5) Safe Driving Program and 6) Safe Lift Program.

Employers are also eligible to apply for grants through the Workplace Injury Reduction Challenge (WIRC) program. Through WIRC, employers are eligible for a 3-to-1 matching grant, with WSI contributing the larger portion, or 75%, up to the maximum grant amount which is determined by the size of an employer’s premium. The grants are used to offset the costs of purchasing safety interventions to help reduce workplace injuries.

In addition, through the Safety Training & Education Program (STEP), qualifying North Dakota associations and employee organizations can receive financial assistance to promote safety training and education. STEP grants are available to qualifying associations and organizations in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $150,000.

Northwest Territories and Nunavut

Return to Work Toolkit
The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission ( WSCC ) developed a Return-to-Work toolkit to assist employers in fulfilling their obligations to help injured workers get back to meaningful employment as early and safely as possible. The Return-to-Work Toolkit includes:

• an interactive CD outlining what is a RTW Program and steps involved (including examples);
• a RTW Booklet (hardcopy);
• a Passport to Recovery; 
• a magnet calendar for tracking medical appointments and milestones; and
• a RTW Steps Poster.

The WSCC will fully introduce this toolkit to employers and workers during North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (May 3-9).

Go Safe: Work Smart
Go Safe: Work Smart is a curriculum aimed at young workers; it teaches the importance of being safe at work and enhances knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of all workers. This course replaces the current curriculum Workplace Safety: Safety and the Young Worker. Several schools across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are piloting the program.

Don’t Be a Number
In March 2009, the WSCC launched new TV commercials focused on young workers and encouraging them to not become a work injury statistic ”Don’t be a Number”. The commercials feature two young workers, seriously injured at work, telling their stories. The third commercial focuses on a young worker who is determined to stay safe. 

In connection with the commercials and the "Don’t be a Number" campaign the WSCC has also developed a Web site. The Web site educates young workers on their rights and responsibilities in the workplace and provides more information about the two young men featured in the commercials. Visit the Web site at www.DontbeaNumber.ca. 

Ohio

Ohio Plan Expected to Lower Premium Rates by 25.3 Percent for Non-Group Employers
New deductible program also available

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) will soon implement a solution to its long-term challenge of ensuring premium equity among group-rated and non group-rated state-fund employers. On March 20, the BWC Board of Directors approved a plan to lower the average premium rate for non-group employers by 25.3 percent. The new rate is effective July 1, 2009.

BWC will direct the decrease entirely to non-group employers. The average premium rate decrease will result in actuarially sound rates for non group-rated private employers in Ohio. These employers will also experience lower base rates. Group-rated employers will have an increase of 9.6 percent in their rate, which they have expected for nearly a year. This increase is a direct result of lowering the maximum credibility table discount from 85 percent to 77 percent. The board approved that change last year.

For nearly two years, BWC Administrator Marsha Ryan and the board have taken steps to reduce the maximum credibility table discount for groups. They have done this in hopes of creating greater equity between group and non-group rated employers. While important, the past credibility table changes had not made a significant impact in assessing appropriate premiums to group-rated employers. This led to BWC looking at more innovative solutions to this long-term challenge.

The board also approved a deductible program for workers’ compensation insurance. In announcing the program, Ryan said, “This is the first time Ohio employers will have the option to enroll in a true deductible program. This new program offers multiple deductible levels. This gives Ohio employers a choice in securing the option that best suits their business needs.” Employers may select one of five deductible options ranging from $500 to $10,000. The board approved the program in February. It also takes effect on July 1, 2009.

For more information about Ohio BWC, visit ohiobwc.com.

Oklahoma

CompSource Oklahoma Writes First Other States Coverage Policy
CompSource wrote its first other states coverage policy on Jan. 29, 2009.  The policy took effect on Feb. 1, 2009. The insured obtained the additional coverage for their employees who work and live in Arkansas.

To be eligible for CompSource’s other states coverage program an applicant must be an Oklahoma-based employer in good standing with CompSource. The Oklahoma operations must be the primary source of the company’s total payroll.

To provide the other states coverage program, CompSource entered into a fronting agreement with The PMA Insurance Group and Midlands Management Corporation; both are subsidiaries of PMA Capital Corporation.

CompSource Board Accepts President’s Resignation
As of March 13, 2009, Terry McCullar resigned his position as president and chief executive officer of CompSource to pursue other opportunities. The Board has appointed Jason Clark, CompSource’s current claims director, as the interim president and chief executive officer.

“It is with regret we accept Terry’s resignation; however, he has a very good opportunity in the private sector and we wish him the best,” said Tom Jaworsky, CompSource board chair.

Computer conversion process begins
CompSource has signed a contract with Valley Oak Systems, Inc. for replacement of the legacy WORCS computer system. Valley Oak Systems is an independent subsidiary of Aon Corporation and part of Aon's eSolutions Group (eSolutions). CompSource is currently in the discovery phase, gathering system requirements, with Valley Oak. Dane Johnson, director of internal audit, is CompSource’s internal project manager.

Ontario

Innovations in Occupational Cancer Research
Canada's first centre dedicated solely to research into occupational cancers was recently launched in Toronto. The Occupational Cancer Research Centre is a joint undertaking funded by Cancer Care Ontario, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and the Canadian Cancer Society's Ontario Division, and developed in collaboration with the United Steelworkers.  

The establishment of the centre represents a crucial step forward in the larger fight against cancer. It is already garnering international attention with the appointment of renowned expert in occupational and environmental epidemiology, Dr. Aaron Blair, as Interim Director. Dr. Blair is a leader in occupational studies, and has made outstanding contributions to environmental epidemiology. 

"The establishment of the Occupational Cancer Research Centre is a major step in identifying carcinogens in the workplace and initiating preventive actions," said Dr. Blair.

Initial research priorities for the Centre include reviewing current occupational cancer prevention efforts and their effectiveness, and identifying gaps in occupational cancer research including minorities and rare cancers.

Stakeholder Consultation Initiative
In the face of unprecedented economic challenges, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Chair Steve Mahoney has initiated a province-wide stakeholder consultation. Aimed at achieving a broad consensus among stakeholders on how best to deliver a sustainable future for Ontario's workplace safety and insurance system, the consultation process will include open and frank communication about the financial and legislative framework in which the WSIB operates. 

"We need to take a hard look at the WSIB through a new economic lens," says Mahoney. "We want to build a WSIB that will serve generations to come as we move forward on the Road to Zero." The WSIB remains committed to preventing workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. This initiative will support a review of existing programs and services to ensure that they are providing practical, timely, and positive results for the employers and workers of Ontario. 

Oregon

Bilingual team assists Spanish-speaking workforce
SAIF Corporation has concentrated its bilingual resources into one team to better serve the Spanish-speaking community and the injured workers of Oregon Injured workers who select Spanish as their preferred language are now assigned to this team, as are accounts with large Spanish-speaking workforces.

Bilingual team members participate in training, presentations, and education in Spanish. Additional bilingual team members serve as return-to-work consultants, attorneys, and investigators.

The bilingual claims team has translated letters and forms into Spanish, presented (with Oregon OSHA) a four-session safety conference in Spanish, adopted an Occupational Dictionary for Loss Control in Spanish, participated in SAIF’s Spanish Agricultural Safety Seminars throughout the state, and supported a Spanish website at saif.com.

SAIF moves its Portland office
In mid-April, SAIF Corporation will move into its new facility in downtown Portland at the Crown Plaza building, 1500 SW First Avenue, near the waterfront. The new center will represent the relocation of SAIF’s Northern Region, Service Center, Safety Services, and Fraud and Investigations, as well as an additional claims unit.

SAIF sponsors safety video contest for high school students
This spring, SAIF Corporation, in partnership with Oregon OSHA and other safety-related industries, invited high school students to create 30-second public service announcements on the theme “Save a friend. Work safe.” Videos were aired at Portland ’s Laurelhurst Theater, and the top three winners won cash prizes ranging from $200 to $400. Winners were announced at the Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference in March. To see the winning videos, visit the OR-OSHA website.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania ’s State Workers’ Insurance Fund (SWIF) continues to develop new programs to ensure that injured employees receive quality medical care while reducing the cost of medical treatment. SWIF is pleased to announce a comprehensive Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) program that integrates multiple managed care solutions while providing a streamlined medical management program.

SWIF’s PPO is a customized network of medical professionals developed specifically to meet the needs of our policyholders and their injured employees consistent with the Pa Workers’ Compensation Act. It provides goal oriented medical treatment from board certified physicians that facilitates prompt recovery and successful return to work results.

• Services provided include:
• Physicians, Hospitals and Specialists
• Durable Medical Equipment
• Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Chiropractors
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Pharmacy

To implement this program, SWIF is partnering with MedRisk, Inc., a claims and medical management company specializing in workers’ compensation services. MedRisk will utilize its proprietary claims and document management technologies to support the integration of these strategic medical management services. 

Texas

President Russ Oliver to Retire in August
Russ Oliver announced that he will retire as president of Texas Mutual at the end of August 2009. Oliver has served as president since 1995.

“I have enjoyed and benefited from my long-time involvement with AASCIF, and I wish my AASCIF friends and colleagues the very best of success and happiness in the future,” said Oliver.

Two years ago, Texas Mutual launched a succession project to prepare for the retirement of Oliver and other Texas Mutual executives. The company has not set a timetable for hiring Oliver’s replacement.

Texas Mutual Wins National Employee Wellness Award
Texas Mutual Insurance Company is one of 10 employers across the country that has won UnitedHealthcare’s Well Deserved Award. The award recognizes employers who demonstrate a commitment to improving their employees’ health.

Texas Mutual’s wellness program includes online health-improvement tools, health risk assessments, wellness coaching, fitness centers at each of its five locations, on-site flu shots, yoga classes, a walking program, Weight Watchers at Work, and wellness incentives. During the past year:

• Participants showing the need for improved fitness went from 64% to 60%.
• Participants at high risk for cancer went from 49% to 44%.
• Participants at high risk for coronary disease went from 44% to 42%.

Grants Fund Free Safety Courses
Texas Mutual Insurance Company has awarded a combined $300,000 in grants to three Texas colleges. The grants fund free workplace safety courses for employers, employees and the general public. The company has awarded nearly $1 million in safety education grants since 1999.

Utah

Utah Outlaws Texting, WCF Incorporates New Law into Work Policy
This March, Utah lawmakers passed a bill that makes texting and e-mailing while driving a primary offense. This new law allows a police officer to pull over a driver for no reason other than evidence of the driver texting or e-mailing. First-time offenders will be charged with a class C misdemeanor. A driver will receive a class B misdemeanor if the driver inflicts serious injury on another person as a result of texting or has a prior conviction within three years.

Soon after the bill was passed, senior management at Workers Compensation Fund included a policy in the Company handbook that prohibits texting or e-mailing while driving. “This bill was passed with supporting research conducted at the University of Utah that suggests texting or e-mailing on a cell phone while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. We are handling this issue very seriously,” said WCF CEO and President, Ray Pickup. The Company’s new text/e-mail  policy accompanies WCF’s cell phone policy that requires employees to pull over when driving to make or return phone calls while on the job.

West Virginia

BrickStreet Mutual Insurance announced a profit of $113.6 million for 2008. The figure includes $101.5 million in prior year reserve adjustments and investment income of $30 million, offset by approximately $18 million in underwriting losses and account reconciliation adjustments.

President and CEO Gregory A. Burton said “I’m very pleased with our strong financial performance, especially considering that during the second half of the year, we were directly competing against some of the largest and most established insurance companies in the world.”

The state of West Virginia loaned BrickStreet $200 million in the form of a surplus note when the company opened its doors in January 2006. BrickStreet has a 10-year repayment schedule with the state, and has already repaid $115 million. BrickStreet is scheduled to make the next $40 million payment on July 1. Because of its successful 2008, with permission from the Offices of the Insurance Commissioner, BrickStreet plans to pay the note in full.

New CIO  
Tony Laska is BrickStreet’s new senior vice president and chief information officer. Laska comes to BrickStreet from Allstate Insurance, Inc. where he was assistant vice president. A native of Erie, PA., Laska also held key management positions with Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. He started his career with Babcok & Wilcox in Lynchburg, VA.

At Allstate, Laska led several application development teams responsible for policy processing within the property and casualty business. He was involved in the creation of Progressive’s innovative quoting system which allows for comparative pricing with other large competitors.

Other States   
BrickStreet has announced it is working to be licensed in Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Virginia by the end of 2009. BrickStreet will at first focus on serving existing policyholders active in those states and on other energy and energy-related business.