Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Compliance and Costs

Workers’ Compensation insurance pays benefits to workers injured on the job, including medical care, part of lost wages, and permanent disability. It also provides death benefits to dependents of employees killed from a work-related accident. Workers’ Compensation insurance systems are different in every state, as individual statutes and court decisions have shaped the way they handle claims, evaluate impairments, settle disputes, provide benefits and control costs.

Workers’ Compensation Compliance

Workers’ Compensation insurance rates and programs are managed by private insurers, state funds or the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI).

Employers are required to do the following to comply with Workers’ Compensation insurance laws:

– Provide coverage for their employees and are held liable for all injuries suffered by employees while they are on the job (with the exception of employers residing in the state of Texas).

– Pay premiums and provide the carrier with audit payroll numbers.

– Provide a safe environment.

– Notify the carrier as soon as possible after an injury.

– Investigate injuries.

Managing Your Workers’ Compensation Insurance Costs

Your Workers’ Compensation insurance premium is based on a rating your company has, which is based on payroll, averages for your industry and claims experienced over a three-year period. Claims have a direct impact on this experience modification factor (mod), which can significantly drive up premiums. This means many times a company will pay for its own claims in increased premium costs. There are many things that companies can do to lower their Workers’ Compensation insurance costs, such as:

– Inspecting your insurance policy to make sure that all job classifications and payrolls are correct.

– Making an investment in workplace safety to avoid accidents to improve claim histories and reduce overall costs. If you modify operating procedures even slightly, you can alleviate unnecessary exposure to injuries.

– Consider using a managed care organization that has a relationship with your insurance company. This will help you save on medical treatment costs.

– Create a modified duty program at your organization to help injured employees return to work sooner. Under these programs, employees are assigned duties that they can physically complete while they recover. The most successful return to work programs incorporate speedy, quality medical care and assistance to reduce emotional stress after an accident.

There are other actions that your organization can take to reduce Workers’ Compensation insurance costs, and we have the tools to show you how. Contact Enforce Coverage Group today to learn more.