BEST PRACTICES

With 2007 behind us, it is a good time to review your workers' compensation program and evaluate what works and what improvements can be made. Insurance rates are lower than they have been in years, and now the success of your insurance program will rest in your hands and those of your insurance carrier. The following best practices can help control the overall costs of workers' compensation claims:

Clinic Relationship and Medical Control
Make sure that you are enrolled in a Medical Provider Network and select a clinic that:

• Treats your injured workers promptly, appropriately, and respectfully
• Understands and is mindful of your Return-to-Work program
• Always addresses work restrictions
• Reports timely to the insurance carrier

Prior to Employment
ADA-approved job descriptions should exist for all positions. Pre-placement physicals will help you determine if a candidate can carry out his/her physical job duties and will document pre-existing problems. The interview process should take into consideration prior employment length of service to determine the candidate's ability for employment longevity.

Post-Employment
Supervisors should train new employees in proper procedures and equipment usage. All training should be documented in the employee's personnel file. During orientation, employees should be given written instructions on how to report an injury and to whom. Employees should receive written notice of your modified duty program and your expectations of their participation should an injury occur. Employees should receive additional training whenever equipment, procedures, or work assignments change.

Supervisor Oversight
Supervisors should receive training:

• How to conduct safety meetings
• How to conduct accident investigations, how to evaluate "near-misses" and any changes in procedures, processes, or new equipment
• The importance of offering claim forms in a timely manner - within 24 hours upon notice of an injury
• How to identify the cause of an injury and how to write a report per management protocols
• The importance of having a designated employee/supervisor report a claim immediately to the insurance carrier

Return-to-Work
Establish a documented Return-to-Work program policy. A published version of modified or alternate positions should be available for employees to review and access. Consideration should be given for modified duty for all positions.

Litigation Avoidance
Explain the workers' compensation claims process to the injured worker at the time of the initial reporting and be responsive to the injured worker's needs. Start the injured worker on the correct path by referring him/her to a quality occupational medical facility, and refer the file timely to the insurance carrier so that an early rapport can be established. Keep the lines of communication open.

Insurance Carrier
The insurance carrier should conduct an investigation as appropriate and evaluate any subrogation potential. The insurance carrier should delay claims when there is reasonable suspicion that the injury did not arise out of employment. The insurance carrier should communicate effectively with the policyholder, injured worker, and medical provider. The policyholder should hold annual reviews with the insurance carrier to ensure that the program is working effectively. When the insurance community works in conjunction with the employer community, together we can keep costs in check while taking very good care of the employee population when legitimate injuries occur.

If you have further questions about best practices to control workers' comp costs, please contact Employers Direct's Claims Department at (818) 575-8500 or via email at claims@employersdirect.com.